Paul Boris of Deerfield Beach, FL-based AgriTrade Farms LLC began his career at age 13 working with his father on the Pompano State Farmers Market in Pompano Beach, FL. That partnership continued until 1995. Now things have come full circle as his son Brent Boris works alongside him.

“My father was a tough teacher and one of the legendary characters at the Pompano market,” Paul Boris said. “My son has joined me in the business, so I guess you could say I’ve come full circle. I guess you could say it’s in the DNA.”  

There have been numerous produce growers and shippers in the news lately for reasons they would rather not be: recalls, foodborne illness outbreaks and, in one notable case, even prison terms for company principals.

“Unfortunately, the court of public opinion renders its verdict within 24 hours after the first reporter calls or the first TV camera goes on,” said Cheryl Miller, chief executive officer of Tampa, FL-based At The Table Public Relations. “How you handle the first 24 hours of a crisis can make all the difference.”

Lipman, headquartered in Immokalee, FL, and one of the nation’s larger growers of open-field tomatoes, long ago made a major commitment to research and development that is now yielding major results.

The company unveiled its latest proprietary round variety, the “Crimson Queen” at PMA Fresh Summit last month, improved flavor and a bright red interior. On the heels of that announcement, the company is now introducing its new proprietary “Ripe Bites” grape tomatoes, which also offer better flavor and color and higher sugar than other varieties.

Grower Direct Marketing LLC. is distributing fresh Chilean blueberries to retailers throughout the United States. The 2013-14 blueberry deal began this October with the first shipments of blueberries from Chile being distributed by Grower Direct.

Although Mexican avocado shipments to the United States have been increasing nearly every year — and with it the volume of Mexican fruit handled by Eco Farms Avocados Inc. in Temecula, CA — President Steve Taft expects the volume for the 2013-14 season to be similar to what it was the prior year, or perhaps up just a little. Yields per acre could be a bit lighter, but with additional acreage certified for export to the United States, overall volume could be up a bit.

“We have been growing in Mexico at a nice steady pace and will continue to grow at that pace, probably around 10 to 15 percent a year,” said Dana Thomas, president of Index Fresh Inc. in Riverside, CA, Oct. 21. “Our plan will be to continue with that.”