There was a time not so long ago when certain tropical fruits were not mainstays of the typical American diet. They were instead enjoyed by more adventurous shoppers, or perhaps during special occasions. Things have changed. In the 21st century, more and more people are eating tropical fruits that were long considered obscure.

Dublin Farms, which can trace its roots more than 150 years ago, has long been at the forefront of innovation in the Virginia potato industry and a leader on the Eastern Shore.

David Hickman, the fifth-generation operator of the Horntown, VA-based company, has seen a lot though his decades in the business, and believes that the issues faced by growers in 2022 are as challenging as ever — and that’s not even taking into account the impact the pandemic had for the most part.

Ken Gad, owner of South Easton, ME-based Cambridge Farms, can be considered a potato authority on the East Coast. He has accumulated a first-rate group of growers, shippers, packers, and other marketing partners to deliver high-quality items and offer exceptional customer service.

It’s been a rather somber time at Papen Farms the past year and a half. Following the untimely death of Kenneth Papen in December of 2020, his father Richard Papen, considered the heart and soul of the operation, passed away on April 16 of this year.

Co-presidents Steven Espinosa and Albert Grimaldi are leading the charge at Fru-Veg Marketing.

Three seasons ago, the company partnered with Berry Bros. allowing Fru-Veg to expand its blueberry program to include domestic blueberries to customers from farm-to-table and also create a 12-month, year-round supply of fresh blueberries. Now the two companies have started a bigger project together.

McDaniel Fruit Co. is a third-generation, family-owned vertical integrated international avocado grower, packer and marketer, with its home base in Fallbrook, CA, which has been operating since the 1950s.

“As the industry has grown in popularity, our company has grown with it,” said Rankin H. McDaniel, president of the company.