MIAMI, FL - Atlantic Grocery Supply (AGS), the grocery division of Pompano, Florida-based Sun Commodities Inc. (Sun Group), and C&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC, (C&S) an industry leader in wholesale grocery supply and supply chain solutions in the United States, are partnering to provide wholesale supply solutions to retailers in the Caribbean, Central and South America.

Sun Group has a deep history of supplying retailers throughout the Southeast region and the Caribbean. AGS, Sun Group’s grocery division, has continued to expand over the years. In this agreement with C&S, export customers will be supplied with the most competitive pricing and a vast grocery assortment of more than 40,000 items.

Christopher Miller, President, AGS said in a recent press release, “We’re excited to partner with C&S and leverage their strong national scale to offer the same competitive supply to all our export customers. With the combined offering of our leading produce supply along with the entire grocery assortment of C&S, we’re able to provide the export market with an unparalleled offering.”

The new partnership will operate out of C&S’s one-million-square-foot warehouse in Miami, Florida, with C&S and AGS partnering on sales to Florida-based independent retail customers and AGS leading sales to export customers. The Sun Group will continue to service produce to retailers and food service customers throughout the Southeast of the United States and the Caribbean.

“We look forward to working with AGS and leveraging our strong capabilities to provide a superior assortment and service experience. Together, C&S and AGS will create an optimized supply chain model that brings unparalleled value to AGS’s customers,” said Eric Winn, Chief Executive Officer, C&S. “C&S is committed to growing our customer base and building on our quality and service legacy of braggingly happy customers.”

LOS ANGELES, CA - Pacific Trellis Fruit Company (PTF), owner of the Dulcinea® Brand, is pleased to announce a long-term joint venture agreement with Desert Ghost, a Hermosillo, Sonora, MX, farming entity owned by the Carrillo family of Caborca. Carrillo also owns UVEX, a large table grape operation located in Caborca. Several years ago, Desert Ghost acquired a ranch in Hermosillo known as Campo La Colorada.

Desert Ghost invested significant capital in developing the land by installing irrigation systems, building cold storage and packing house facilities, offices, and a state-of-the-art pack line for all table grape pack styles, including all types of clam shells. The focus in this ranch has always been on new proprietary varieties that can supply the best quality fruit in the early part of the season. New plantings of Flames, Ivory, Krissy, Midnight Beauty®, Ruby Rush®, and Autumn Crisp® soon followed.

“Over the past 6 years, we have evaluated many varieties and identified the ones that are better suited for our region. In this second phase of our project, we can focus on those cultivars that have proven to perform great,” said Luis Carrillo in the recent release. When the joint venture with PTF was signed earlier this year, Desert Ghost embarked on a massive project to remove the Ivory and Krissy blocks and plant back new vines with Early Sweet, Ruby Rush, and Applause varieties. The rest of the prepared open ground has also been planted with new blocks of Honey Pop, more Ruby Rush, and Early Sweet. “We have a 14-year relationship with Pacific Trellis, and we are thrilled to go into this new phase of the project with a company that shares our commitment to quality, and we look forward to continuing to expand our program,“ added Carillo.

“PTF has had a long-standing relationship with the Carrillo family, and this opportunity provided us with a chance to lay a cornerstone in our Mexican table grape program with an aligned strategic partner,” stated Earl McMenamin, Senior Sales Executive & Category Manager, Mexico & CA Grapes. “We look forward to an exciting future with these new additions to our table grape portfolio,” added McMenamin.

With an existing Mexican grape program that sources 1.5 million boxes from all districts, including Guaymas, Hermosillo, and Caborca, this joint venture is a significant enhancement that will bring PTF’s total program close to two million boxes in three years. The Mexican grape program, along with their large South American and California programs, allows PTF to supply customers with premium table grapes 365 days a year.

WASHINGTON - Rafael Teran Melchor of Stemilt Growers has been named the 2025 recipient of the Farmworker of the Year Award, a national recognition program that honors farmworkers for their exceptional leadership, contributions, and impact on the fresh produce industry.

Now in its second year, the award was created by Equitable Food Initiative to shine a spotlight on the people who form the backbone of the agricultural workforce. This initiative ensures that the underrecognized voices and accomplishments of farmworkers are elevated and celebrated. The program was developed with support from The Packer as part of a shared commitment to honor the people behind our food.

“Rafael represents everything this award is meant to highlight,” said LeAnne Ruzzamenti, EFI’s director of marketing and communications, in the recent release. “His consistency, willingness to overcome challenges and the positive impact he has on his colleagues reflect the profound ways farmworkers shape their teams and companies.”

Rafael, who has worked at Stemilt Growers for nearly 17 years, has been in agriculture for 23 years and is widely respected for his thoughtful mentorship and calm, solutions-oriented approach.

Working in the sanitation department, he goes above and beyond what is asked of him by participating in numerous trainings such as first aid, CPR, forklift, chemical handling and safety response, as well as attending the Food Safety & Sanitation Workshop. There are approximately 25 areas within sanitation that employees can study, and while most workers have trained in one to five of those areas, Rafael has completed all 25.

Adrián Pantaleón Sandoval, sanitation supervisor at Stemilt, shares that “Rafa’s work ethic is completely and truly admirable. He is consistently going above and beyond his responsibilities, always taking initiative to finish tasks and take on new challenges. He is willing to lend a hand when needed and comes to work with a positive attitude, which is contagious to his coworkers.”

Rafael approaches his role in agriculture much like his passion for running – with focus, discipline, and unwavering dedication. His commitment recently culminated in qualifying for the Boston Marathon, a testament not only to his physical endurance but also to his mindset of giving everything his best effort.

A trusted colleague and friend, Rafael supports coworkers on the job and invests time outside of work to foster connection and camaraderie. His nominator describes him as someone who brings people together and leads with heart, qualities that exemplify the spirit of the Farmworker of the Year Award.

This year’s winner and four finalists were selected from more than 50 nominations, and they represent a diverse range of contributions to their workplaces and communities. Finalists included:

• Franklin Rolando Carrillo Rodas, Windset Farms®
• Guadalupe Huerta de Jesus, Frutos de Huerta Real for Sunset®
• Rene Orozco, Lakeside Organic Gardens
• María Bárbara Reséndiz Martínez, Sierra Farms for GoodFarms

“This award is one of the most meaningful recognitions in our industry because it brings attention to those whose efforts are often unseen but are absolutely essential,” said Jennifer Strailey, editorial director of The Packer. “The finalists this year tell powerful stories of leadership, generosity, and perseverance—and it’s an honor to help share them.”

Each nominee reflected core values that are essential to a thriving workplace culture: humility, teamwork, resilience, and a deep concern for others. Through this award, EFI continues its commitment to highlighting the individuals whose work touches every step of the produce supply chain.

More information about the Farmworker of the Year Award and this year’s finalists is available at equitablefood.org/FWOY.