Several years ago when the East and West Coast partners in the family of companies tied to Vision Produce Co. launched Vision Produce Partners of Texas LLC, the goal was clearly defined: the Texas company would help source Mexican product and expand their reach south of the border.

Ben Brittain, executive vice president and managing partner of the Pharr, TX, operation, recently told The Produce News that the goal has remained in focus and on target.

About a year ago, Loop Fresh Produce of McAllen, TX and the Allen Lund Co. of Los Angeles formed an alliance to meet the needs of mutual customers shipping product from south Texas. The partnership has proved so successful that Loop and Lund is already expanding its service areas.

This season LTL transportation services are focused on expansion into the Northeast and Midwest, in addition to major markets in the Southeast and Texas.

Richard Ruiz, president and owner of Ruiz Sales in Edinburg, TX, a distributor of tropical items from Mexico, likes to play by the rules.

Cutting corners is not an option when it comes to doing business.

In fact, Ruiz has led by example when it comes to food safety and traceability, investing in systems that bring it into compliance, and calling out retailers and other suppliers who do not place the same emphasis on those factors.

“It is important for the entire produce industry to take responsibility for providing safe food that is traceable,” said Ruiz.

In 1964, Marvin Davis came to Texas and launched a produce company, that turned out to be a success.

Today, Marvin and son Mike Davis head up Tex Mex Sales LLC in Weslaco, TX, which has become a top year-round supplier of red, white and sweet onions from the Davises’ own farms and those of grower partners.

Paramount Citrus, a grower, shipper and marketer of fresh citrus in North America, owns over 50,000 acres across California, Texas and Mexico.

“Village Farms International’s ‘Texas Grown’ concept sprouted from the growing consumer interest in locally sourced fruits and vegetables,” said Helen L. Aquino, marketing manager for the Eatontown, NJ-based leading greenhouse grower. “Consumers want to understand where their food is grown while supporting their local farmers. In Texas, consumers also have a unique allegiance to not only locally grown, but also to a sense of place or ‘locale.’”