Texas International Produce Association

🍅 With the 90-day review period ending July 14, TIPA is urging the U.S. Department of Commerce to extend its evaluation of the Tomato Suspension Agreement.

This agreement isn’t just about tomatoes — it supports over $8.3B in economic activity, ensures year-round supply, and helps keep food prices stable for all Americans.

Terminating it could mean a 17% tariff, fewer jobs, and higher grocery costs. Now is the time to act — to modernize, not dismantle.

📣 Read the full article to learn why extending this review is critical for growers, businesses, and consumers:
https://www.thepacker.com/news/industry/tipa-pushes-90-day-review-extension-tomato-suspension-agreement

🌧️ After years of extreme drought, Texas peach growers are finally seeing some much-needed relief. While recent flooding across the state has been devastating, the slow, steady rains have brought life back to orchards in regions like Fredericksburg.

Peach growers say the recent 6+ inches of rainfall are helping improve fruit sizing and tree health — offering hope for a strong finish to the 2025 season. 🍑

Though harvest may slow slightly, growers say they'd rather manage wet weather than drought. With 4–5 weeks of harvest still to go, Texas peaches are looking better than they have in years.

https://www.freshplaza.com/north-america/article/9748431/texas-peach-growers-welcome-drought-relief-from-rains/

Happy Independence Day! 🎆 Wishing you a joyful and safe 4th of July filled with freedom, fireworks, and fresh produce! Whether you’re grilling, gathering, or just soaking up the sunshine, we hope your day is packed with red, white, and delicious. 🍓🥬🫐

Tomato flights are the it snack of the summer 🍅✨ Inspired by tasting boards, this trend celebrates peak-season tomatoes dressed with toppings like whipped feta, chili crisp, fresh herbs & more. Think: snack, salad, and stunning centerpiece all in one.

Make your own with thick-sliced heirlooms + a mix of creamy, crunchy, spicy, or savory toppings—perfect for casual entertaining or a fun solo plate. 🎨🧂

Now’s the time to enjoy tomatoes at their juiciest and most flavorful. Get inspired ⬇️
https://www.eatingwell.com/tomato-flights-11765031

🍅 Time is running out — and the stakes are high. The U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement is set to terminate on July 14, and the fresh produce industry must act now to protect our supply chains, workforce, and food access.

More than 2.2 billion pounds of tomatoes cross through Texas each year. Losing the agreement would hit border communities, retailers, and consumers hard — not just at the border, but nationwide.

📣 TIPA President & CEO Dante Galeazzi is calling on the industry to speak up:
✅ Share photos from your warehouse or store
✅ Talk about the livelihoods impacted by tomatoes
✅ Tag your senators and representatives
✅ Post your support using your 4th of July tomatoes

🗓️ From July 7–11, let’s flood social media and inboxes with support for this critical agreement.

Together, we can make sure our voices are heard before the deadline.

📖 Read more: https://www.thepacker.com/news/industry/tipa-nows-time-speak-favor-tomato-suspension-agreement

This 4th of July, celebrate with fresh flavors and festive colors! Whether you're hosting a backyard BBQ or bringing a dish to the potluck, here are some easy, crowd-pleasing ways to add fruits and veggies to your red, white & blue spread:

🍓 Red, White & Blue Fruit Salad – Toss strawberries, blueberries, and banana slices or apples with a squeeze of lime and a drizzle of honey.

🌶️ Grilled Veggie Skewers – Stack zucchini, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and red onion on skewers, brush with olive oil and garlic, and grill 'til tender.

🫐 Frozen Yogurt Bark – Spread Greek yogurt on a tray, top with berries and granola, freeze, then break into pieces!

🥗 Firecracker Corn Salad – Combine fresh corn, cherry tomatoes, diced jalapeños, cilantro, and a lime vinaigrette for a zesty side.

🌽 Patriotic Veggie Cups – Fill clear cups with ranch or hummus at the bottom, then add upright veggie sticks like cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, jicama, and purple carrots for a grab-and-go snack.

These simple, colorful ideas pair perfectly with stock images and bring healthy, festive flair to your 4th of July table.

🌱 Volatility in fresh produce isn’t the exception — it’s the norm. From unpredictable weather to shifting markets and perishability, growers manage risk at every turn. That’s why stability in trade and policy is more important than ever.

As demand for fruits & veggies continues to grow, supportive policies can help keep fresh, healthy food affordable and available for all. 🥦🍓

Let’s focus on building a future where growers thrive and consumers benefit — one bite at a time.

📖 Read more: https://northamerica.visionmagazine.com/volatility-and-uncertainty-in-fresh-produce-just-another-day-at-the-office/

🍅🍇 Consumers can’t get enough of local! According to The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2025 report, 2 in 3 shoppers feel strongly about buying locally grown fruits & veggies — especially households with kids and shoppers in the South & Northeast.

But rising grocery prices may be holding some back: 58% said they’d buy more local if price weren’t a factor.

Millennials, Gen Z, and even GLP-1 users are leading the local love — and men outpaced women in local buying increases year-over-year. 💚

Explore what’s driving this fresh trend 👇
https://www.thepacker.com/news/industry/better-backyard-fresh-trends-2025-explores-consumers-love-affair-local-produce

Mark your calendars for Congreso AMHPAC 2025! 🌟 From August 27–29, industry leaders will gather in Cabo San Lucas, BCS for three days of fresh produce insights, business networking, and market trends across North America.

Whether you're an exporter, grower, or service provider, this is a must-attend event for anyone doing business in Mexico’s protected agriculture sector.

🌐 Learn more and register: https://congreso.amhpac.org/25/index.php

🍑 Get ready for a peachy good time! The Peach Fest kicks off this Saturday, July 20, at Idalou Harvest Co. in West Texas — and it’s free to attend! 🎉

From 11 AM to 6 PM, enjoy orchard rides, live music, and 50+ local vendors serving up everything from peach-infused cold brew to peach BBQ sauce and cobbler. 🍨🎶

The festival isn’t just delicious — it’s educational! Learn about seasonal crops and what it really takes to grow your food. Plus, families using WIC or Lone Star cards will get 5x their produce dollars on Saturday only. 💳🌱

Learn more ➡️ https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/2025/06/26/when-is-idalou-harvest-co-peach-festival-free-event-near-lubbock/84358786007/

🚨 The U.S. Department of Labor has suspended enforcement of the 2024 H-2A Worker Protection Rule — offering short-term relief to farms during peak season. 🇺🇸🌾

⚠️ Key takeaway: Keep honoring contracts, follow existing H-2A rules, and stay prepared.

Read more on what’s paused, what’s still in effect, and what farms should do next ⬇️
https://www.growingproduce.com/farm-management/labor/dol-suspends-enforcement-of-the-2024-farmworker-rule/