PRESS RELEASE Rico Farms newest location in Guaymas, Mexico has begun shipping their first crop of organic hard squash. This is their third location, all of which are packed into the Rico farms Label, sold exclusively by Bridges Produce Inc. BB #:168499 and load in Nogales, Arizona.
Like their previous locations in Hermosillo and Sinaloa their newest farm is certified Organic, Primus GFS and Fair Trade. Rico Farms label also sells organic summer squash, cucumbers, eggplant, green beans, melons and chile peppers.
The new farm in Guaymas, Mexico will supply organic acorn, delicata, butternut, spaghetti, and kabocha squash from late January into early April.
“The warmer winter weather in Guaymas allows us to have a consistent supply of organic Mexican hard squash from November through May. Rico Farms had previously seen a gap in availability between the Fall and Spring season at their Hermosillo location,” said Ben Johnson Bridges Produce President.
Ben continues “The addition of the Guaymas farm also fills the final gap in Bridges year-round organic hard squash program. With supplies coming from California during the summer months, the Pacific Northwest in the fall and transitioning to Mexican supply for the winter and spring seasons.”
The Guaymas farm also leaves room for further expansion with 40% of the available acreage currently fallow. To better plan for this potential expansion they are performing numerous crop trials to determine the best options for the climate, soil conditions and pest pressure.
Prior to the season starting, Rico Farms in Guaymas was certified by Fair Trade USA. The Tapia Family, owners of all three Rico Farms locations, have seen the meaningful impact that their Fair Trade program has brought to the employees of the Hermosillo Farm as well as their families.
They hope to see the same success with the Fair Trade program in Guaymas, allowing them to make improvements to the community and the lives of the workers. About fifty percent of the staff live locally while the remainder come from southern Mexico and live on site during the season.
“The Fair Trade committee is assembled and ready to work will all the employees on the next steps. We have a good plan and people are happy here.” said Jacobo Yanes, operations manager for all three locations.
“The Tapia family has created a foundation to fund education and personal development and land stewardship,” says Ben Johnson “Their larger mission of Creating wellbeing in a sustainable world is based on the three Ps, people, planet and profit and the way in which they carry out this mission is reflected in everything they do.”
To learn more about Rico Farms products or social programs contact Bridges at: info@bridgesproduce.com or visit our website www.bridgesproduce.com
