Wholesum’s protected ag serving well in 2016
Wholesum’s protected ag serving well in 2016
The Culiacan protected vegetable operations of Wholesum Family Farms Inc. were productive in mid-January. That volume will be building until late April, according to Kristina Luna, who heads Wholesum grower relations.
When Wholesum’s Culiacan operations wind down, “then we’ll move across to Central Mexico” into Guanajuato, from where Wholesum will commence shipping. The Nogales-based firm ships Mexican vegetables throughout the year.
Because Wholesum is heavily invested in protected agriculture in Mexico, the firm has not faced as dramatic shortages as those that generally characterized the wider Mexican vegetable deal this winter. Jessie Gunn, Wholesum’s marketing specialist, quoted Wholesum partner Theojary Crisantes Jr., who said, “The best way to solve a problem is not to have one.” Thus, protected production.
Luna said that Wholesum’s largest-volume commodities are Beef Stake, TOV and Romas, as well as red Bell peppers, zucchini and yellow squash and a variety of eggplant.
Luna grew up in the Nogales produce business. After graduating from the University of San Diego, where she studied international relations, she formally joined the industry in 2010. She has worked for Wholesum for four years. Her father, Eddie Federico, has worked at Farmer’s Best for 20 years.
