HOUSTON — The Packer and the Texas International Produce Association honored Betti Wiggins, nutrition service officer with the Houston Independent School District, with the Healthy Living Award during the 2025 Viva Fresh Expo.
Wiggins is a strong proponent of fresh produce in school nutrition, and the programs Wiggins oversees serve more than 280,000 meals to students at 287 schools daily.
Fox Packaging's booth celebrated summer with a fun cookout feel. Victoria Lopez, business development manager for Fox Packaging, said the booth highlighted how “packaging is part of everyday life.”
Conversations at the booth focused on supply chain impacts of tariffs and what new packaging options are available. Visitors also wanted to learn what Fox Packaging has heard from retailers in terms of packaging requirements.
Lopez said customers see Fox Packaging as their eyes and ears in terms of what's happening in the industry, and the company is happy to be that representative for them.
The team at Bland Farms said most booth visitors wanted to learn more about the start of the Vidalia sweet onion season.
Sloan Lott, director of sales for Bland Farms, said this year's crop looks good, although after last year's blockbuster crop, this one will likely be average in size and run through August.
Visitors were also keen to hear how North Carolina sweetpotatos are shaping up. “We'll make it through to next season,” Lott said, noting the industry is looking forward to the start of the next sweetpotato crop in October.
Index Fresh showcased its newly launched California Crema label. John Dmytriw, vice president of business development for Index Fresh, said this launch features new marketing and packaging.
“We're bringing a different image as Gem [avocados] are getting more mainstream,” he said. “California Crema offers an elevated presence for retailers.”
Dmytriw said Index Fresh will start packing California Crema in about 10 weeks and that the company is engaged with foodservice and retailers about the new product update. He said the only limitation to California Crema is that it's sized 48-count and larger, not the smaller 60s, 70s or 84s.
“Customers carrying Gem are looking for that larger size,” he said.
Visitors to Horton Fruit Co.'s booth learned about its newly opened Dallas facility. The company offers growing, repacking, distribution, ripening, logistics and freight help to the fresh produce industry.
The company presented some of its value-added products, including its repackaged jalapenos and ripe mangoes and seasonal items such as candy apples.
“Our seasonal items are unique within the industry,” said Mike Wise, president of Horton Fruit Co.
The National Watermelon Promotion Board touted its annual National Watermelon Merchandising Contest, which runs from June through August, and offers a grand prize of $5,000, $2,500 for second place, $1,000 for third place and $500 to three honorable mentions The contest encourages retailers to promote watermelons through recipes, health benefits, selection tips in merchandising displays, POS materials and print, online and digital platforms.
The board also offers retailers more sources and toolkits to help promote watermelons this summer.
And, Tori Hobbs, the Gulf Coast Watermelon Queen, was in the booth posing for photos with visitors.
Hobbs said she loves watermelons because, “They're handpicked. Farmers go through a lot to bring the fruit to the stores and they bring smiles to so many faces.”
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