TIPA holds record-breaking Viva Fresh Expo in Houston | Produce News

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TIPA holds record-breaking Viva Fresh Expo in Houston

By
John Groh and Adam Campbell
April 15, 2024

HOUSTON – The Texas International Produce Association held its ninth annual Viva Fresh Expo on April 11-13, here, drawing more than 2,700 attendees, setting a new record for attendance for the event. Among the attendees were 425 retail and foodservice buyers, who interacted with the nearly 200 exhibitors on the trade show floor. Houston proved to be a popular destination, with its vibrant downtown and close proximity to major attractions, and Viva Fresh will return to Space City in 2025.

Dax Cooke of Farm Direct Partners and Ron Lemaire of CPMA.
Dax Cooke of Farm Direct Partners and Ron Lemaire of CPMA.
Bryan Barsness and Andrew White of Grubmarket.
Bryan Barsness and Andrew White of Grubmarket.
Tonya Morel of FreshRealm flanked by Tyann Schlimmer and Lindsey Lance of Bay Baby Produce.
Tonya Morel of FreshRealm flanked by Tyann Schlimmer and Lindsey Lance of Bay Baby Produce.
Patrick Kelly of The Produce Industry Podcast with Mary Heslep of Ten Acre Marketing.
Patrick Kelly of The Produce Industry Podcast with Mary Heslep of Ten Acre Marketing.
Robb Bertels of Gold Coast Packing with Kevin Naze of The Chefs' Warehouse.
Robb Bertels of Gold Coast Packing with Kevin Naze of The Chefs' Warehouse.
Nic Vallejo, Susie Rae and John Dmytriw of Index Fresh.
Nic Vallejo, Susie Rae and John Dmytriw of Index Fresh.
Trixie Soliman and Elizabeth Ramirez of PRO*ACT with Wes Finch of Pepper.
Trixie Soliman and Elizabeth Ramirez of PRO*ACT with Wes Finch of Pepper.
The Produce Connection team showed off their custom mural, which was painted on site by a local artist.
The Produce Connection team showed off their custom mural, which was painted on site by a local artist.
Melissa Hartmann de Barros and Andres Ocampo of HLB Specialties.
Melissa Hartmann de Barros and Andres Ocampo of HLB Specialties.
John Arjona and Charles Rowland of Fowler Packing Co.
John Arjona and Charles Rowland of Fowler Packing Co.
At the SunFed booth were Matt Mandel, Craig Slate, Allie Coombs, JC Myers, Pedro Balderrama, Virginia Miller and Juan Carlos Barrionuevo.
At the SunFed booth were Matt Mandel, Craig Slate, Allie Coombs, JC Myers, Pedro Balderrama, Virginia Miller and Juan Carlos Barrionuevo.
Paul and Josh Auerbach of Maurice A. Auerbach Inc.
Paul and Josh Auerbach of Maurice A. Auerbach Inc.
Michael Anne Evans, Pat Young and Chris Bloebaum of IFCO Systems.
Michael Anne Evans, Pat Young and Chris Bloebaum of IFCO Systems.
Joe Esta, Dave Barton and Tate Brooks of Wada Farms.
Joe Esta, Dave Barton and Tate Brooks of Wada Farms.
Sasha Lewton, Tulley Trantham and Daniel Alegria of Farmer's Best.
Sasha Lewton, Tulley Trantham and Daniel Alegria of Farmer's Best.
Angie Thomas, Dan Spellman and Mike Wilber of the National Mango Board.
Angie Thomas, Dan Spellman and Mike Wilber of the National Mango Board.
At the Grower Alliance booth were Ramon Barraza, Alan Durazo, Eddie Condes and Luis Hanna.
At the Grower Alliance booth were Ramon Barraza, Alan Durazo, Eddie Condes and Luis Hanna.
At the GLC Cerritos booth were Sophia Cavaletto, Jorge Medina and Giovanni Cavaletto.
At the GLC Cerritos booth were Sophia Cavaletto, Jorge Medina and Giovanni Cavaletto.
Robert Matus and Rob Ybarra of Villita Avocados.
Robert Matus and Rob Ybarra of Villita Avocados.
Robert Hernandez and Dave Watson of Fresh Farms.
Robert Hernandez and Dave Watson of Fresh Farms.
Clayton Neuhaus, Tim Bull and Lance Neuhaus of The Onion House.
Clayton Neuhaus, Tim Bull and Lance Neuhaus of The Onion House.
Rigo Garcia, Kevin Houx, Scott Fraser, Galen Johnson and Tim Beerup of MIssions Produce.
Rigo Garcia, Kevin Houx, Scott Fraser, Galen Johnson and Tim Beerup of MIssions Produce.
Rich Rice and Jordan Mach of Volm with Eddie Cardenas of J.R. Produce Supply.
Rich Rice and Jordan Mach of Volm with Eddie Cardenas of J.R. Produce Supply.
Brian Lapin, Matthew Catania, Paul Catania, Alejandra Diaz and Silvana Descomps of Catania Worldwide.
Brian Lapin, Matthew Catania, Paul Catania, Alejandra Diaz and Silvana Descomps of Catania Worldwide.
Carlos Duarte, Melissa Brucker, Irene Amezaga and Gustavo Valdovinos of Calavo Growers.
Carlos Duarte, Melissa Brucker, Irene Amezaga and Gustavo Valdovinos of Calavo Growers.
Billie Jo Dziewit, Jon Ullrich, Mario Gomez and Ozzie Figueroa of Henry Avocado.
Billie Jo Dziewit, Jon Ullrich, Mario Gomez and Ozzie Figueroa of Henry Avocado.
James Clarkson, Jessie Cairns and Rajah Nagarajah of Tive.
James Clarkson, Jessie Cairns and Rajah Nagarajah of Tive.
Mike Glass, Holly Wawrow, Alaina Wilkins, Paul Murracas and Matt Del Biondi of Pure Flavor.
Mike Glass, Holly Wawrow, Alaina Wilkins, Paul Murracas and Matt Del Biondi of Pure Flavor.
Rob Bertels and Chris Olsen of Gold Coast Packing.
Rob Bertels and Chris Olsen of Gold Coast Packing.
Tyann Schlimmer and Lindsey Lance of Bay Baby Produce.
Tyann Schlimmer and Lindsey Lance of Bay Baby Produce.
Viva Fresh officials cut the ribbon to officially open the 2024 Viva Fresh Expo, which saw more than 2,600 attendees, setting a new mark for the event.
Viva Fresh officials cut the ribbon to officially open the 2024 Viva Fresh Expo, which saw more than 2,600 attendees, setting a new mark for the event.
At the Kaliroy Fresh booth, Ralph Felix, Tom Lyons, Roberto Perez and David Robidoux featured the company’s new recyclable shaker clamshell for its snacking tomatoes.
At the Kaliroy Fresh booth, Ralph Felix, Tom Lyons, Roberto Perez and David Robidoux featured the company’s new recyclable shaker clamshell for its snacking tomatoes.
James Fountain of MegaMex Foods promoted the company’s Wholly Guacamole line of products.
James Fountain of MegaMex Foods promoted the company’s Wholly Guacamole line of products.
Antonio Verdin, Malu Crespo, Tom Argyros and Jose Crespo of RCF Distributors.
Antonio Verdin, Malu Crespo, Tom Argyros and Jose Crespo of RCF Distributors.
Stefanie Pandol and John Pandol of Pandol Bros.
Stefanie Pandol and John Pandol of Pandol Bros.
At the Harvest Best booth were Adrian Espinoza, Nass Halim and Travis Camph.
At the Harvest Best booth were Adrian Espinoza, Nass Halim and Travis Camph.
Tyler Franzoy, Chris Franzoy and Hunter Coyle of Young Guns.
Tyler Franzoy, Chris Franzoy and Hunter Coyle of Young Guns.
At the William H. Kopke booth were Raul Millan, Angela Aronica, Damon Francis, Tyler Wolowicz, Doug Rossi, Christine McCullough and Ronnie Cohen.
At the William H. Kopke booth were Raul Millan, Angela Aronica, Damon Francis, Tyler Wolowicz, Doug Rossi, Christine McCullough and Ronnie Cohen.
Luis Gudino with son Luis J. Gudino at the SiCar Farms booth.
Luis Gudino with son Luis J. Gudino at the SiCar Farms booth.
Promoting the wildly popular ¡Yo Quiero! line of guacamole and dips were Crystal Berry, Jay Alley and Tara Murray.
Promoting the wildly popular ¡Yo Quiero! line of guacamole and dips were Crystal Berry, Jay Alley and Tara Murray.
Chris Horrell, Nina Poncy and Dave Matkowski of Farm Direct Supply with George Shropshire of Offshoot Brands.
Chris Horrell, Nina Poncy and Dave Matkowski of Farm Direct Supply with George Shropshire of Offshoot Brands.
Juliemar Rosado and Katie Manetti of the National Watermelon Promotion Board.
Juliemar Rosado and Katie Manetti of the National Watermelon Promotion Board.
Matt Moon and Mike Gatz of Bushmans' Inc. with Don Cada of Kwik Trip.
Matt Moon and Mike Gatz of Bushmans' Inc. with Don Cada of Kwik Trip.
At the iDeal HarBest booth were Hermy Torres, Manny Fajardo and Danny Baltazar.
At the iDeal HarBest booth were Hermy Torres, Manny Fajardo and Danny Baltazar.
At the EXP Group booth were Denise Gonzales, Norma McClain, Roger Lucero, Jesus Cavazos, Fraymil Rodriguez and Luis Gasperin.
At the EXP Group booth were Denise Gonzales, Norma McClain, Roger Lucero, Jesus Cavazos, Fraymil Rodriguez and Luis Gasperin.
Raul Acevedo and Victoria Lopez of Fox Packaging.
Raul Acevedo and Victoria Lopez of Fox Packaging.
At the Port Laredo booth were Arnoldo Lozano, Fidel Hale, Alma Saldana Cruz, Tim Francisus and Kent Richard.
At the Port Laredo booth were Arnoldo Lozano, Fidel Hale, Alma Saldana Cruz, Tim Francisus and Kent Richard.
Gonzalo Alvarado, Daniel Ibarra and Cindy Schwing of Splendid by Porvenir.
Gonzalo Alvarado, Daniel Ibarra and Cindy Schwing of Splendid by Porvenir.
At the La Bonanza booth were Valeria Villaseñor, Casey Beltran, Jaime Padilla, John Krambeck, Maggie Hall, and Lily and Gabriel Villaseñor.
At the La Bonanza booth were Valeria Villaseñor, Casey Beltran, Jaime Padilla, John Krambeck, Maggie Hall, and Lily and Gabriel Villaseñor.
Ryan Fukuda, Alain Justillen, Oscar Garcia and Erick Coronado of Avocados of Mexico.
Ryan Fukuda, Alain Justillen, Oscar Garcia and Erick Coronado of Avocados of Mexico.
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Viva Fresh Expo

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