TIPA

What TIPA does

Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) is a 501(c)-style nonprofit trade association founded in 1942 and headquartered at 901 Business Park Dr, Suite 500, Mission, Texas. It represents over 370 member companies across the fresh produce value chain — growers, shippers, grocery chains, foodservice distributors, importers, and allied industries — collectively responsible for over $12 billion of fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Texas or first-arriving through Texas for domestic distribution. Its activities center on trade advocacy (USMCA preservation and modernization, Specialty Crop CFAP), member education (Texas Blueberry Grower Training USDA Harmonized GAP Plus, Lime Grades and Standards, Papaya Best Practices, Onion Best Practices, Fraud Prevention, Strengthening Organic Enforcement), and recurring industry events, most prominently the annual Viva Fresh Produce Expo, the Texas Town pavilion at PMA's Global Produce & Floral Show (active 26 consecutive years), the John McClung Memorial Golf Tournament, TIPA-HFFVA Golf Tournament, Hooked on Fresh Fishing Tournament, PULL! For PAC Skeet Shoot, and the biennial Texas Produce Hall of Fame banquet. TIPA also operates political-action committees for state and federal advocacy and runs the William E. Weeks Agricultural Scholarship, Viva Fresh Scholarship, and YTIPA youth pipeline. A wholly integrated sub-brand, the Houston Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association (HFFVA), now operates under the TIPA banner, extending the association's geographic reach beyond the Rio Grande Valley into the Houston market.

TIPA generates revenue from three streams: recurring annual membership dues across its 370+ member base; event registrations, sponsorship packages, and exhibitor fees across its annual event calendar; and trade-show coordination services (booth space, freight handling, setup/teardown) for member exhibitors at the Texas Town pavilion within PMA's Global Produce & Floral Show. The model is fundamentally a subscription-plus-event business characteristic of regional trade associations rather than a venture-backed technology platform: there is no AI/ML capability, no software/API product surface, no disclosed headcount growth or fundraising activity, and no parent company or institutional investor. Operations are led by President & CEO Dante Galeazzi, with a small staff (11-50 employees). For an investor audience the entity is best understood as a stable, purpose-built advocacy and events platform moated by 80+ years of regulatory relationships, tenured trade-show positioning, and a dense multi-stakeholder member ecosystem.

Name

TIPA

Legal name

Texas International Produce Association

Website

https://texipa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1942

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TIPA is a 1942-founded nonprofit trade association headquartered in Mission, Texas, representing 370+ member companies across the Texas fresh-produce value chain, with revenue from membership dues, signature events (Viva Fresh Expo, golf, fishing, skeet shoot, Hall of Fame), and the Texas Town pavilion at PMA's Global Produce & Floral Show.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Agriculture, Farming & AgriTech Shows Organizers (THAHABAM)

Keywords

• Produce trade association
• Fresh produce advocacy
• Agricultural networking events
• Food safety compliance training
• USMCA trade policy

Headquarters

HQ city

Mission

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: TIPA generates revenue through annual membership dues from over 370 member companies throughout the fresh produce supply chain including growers, shippers, grocery stores, foodservice distributors, importers, and allied industries.
2. Event Registrations and Sponsorships: Revenue from event registration fees, sponsorship packages, and exhibitor fees for signature events including Viva Fresh Expo, golf tournaments, fishing tournaments, skeet shoot fundraisers, and Hall of Fame banquets.
3. Trade Show Services: TIPA coordinates the Texas Town pavilion at PMA's Global Produce & Floral Show, providing booth space coordination, freight handling, setup/teardown services, and logistics management for member exhibitors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

TIPA is a nonprofit trade association that provides industry representation, advocacy, and member services to more than 370 companies across the Texas fresh produce supply chain. Its core offerings include annual membership with political and economic advocacy (notably USMCA-related), trade show coordination through the Texas Town pavilion at PMA's Global Produce & Floral Show, signature networking events (Viva Fresh Expo, multiple golf tournaments, fishing tournament, skeet shoot fundraiser), food safety and compliance training resources, industry recognition programs (Hall of Fame, Scott Toothaker Award, Rising Star Awards), and scholarship programs for agricultural education.

Product overview

TIPA (Texas International Produce Association) is a nonprofit trade association representing the fresh produce industry in Texas, advocating for over $12 billion in fresh fruits and vegetables grown in or distributed through Texas. Rather than a technology product company, TIPA functions as a membership organization offering member resources including food safety guides (Papaya Best Practices, Lime Grades & Standards, Onion Best Practices, Fraud Prevention, Organic Enforcement), educational training programs, industry events (Viva Fresh Expo, multiple Golf Tournaments, Hooked on Fresh Fishing Tournament, Skeet Shoot fundraiser), the Texas Produce Hall of Fame induction ceremony, agricultural scholarship programs, and advocacy for trade policy including USMCA. TIPA serves over 370 member companies across the fresh produce supply chain including growers, shippers, importers, grocery stores, and foodservice distributors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HFFVA (Houston Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association): Houston Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association now operating under the TIPA banner, representing Houston market produce industry
• Viva Fresh Expo
• Texas Produce Hall of Fame
• YTIPA

Products and services

• TIPA Membership Annual membership offering business representation, economic advocacy, political lobbying, networking opportunities, and member resources for the Texas fresh produce supply chain. Open to growers, shippers, grocery stores, foodservice distributors, importers, and allied industries.
• Viva Fresh Produce Expo Annual trade show expo typically held April 8-10 in the Rio Grande Valley, connecting produce industry members through exhibitor booths, networking opportunities, and produce-focused programming.
• Texas Town Pavilion at PMA Global Produce & Floral Show Coordinated pavilion at PMA's Global Produce & Floral Show offering booth spaces (10'x10', 10'x20', 20'x20', 20'x30') in a premium location, with TIPA handling freight, setup, teardown, and logistics for member exhibitors.
• John McClung Memorial Golf Tournament Annual golf tournament held in McAllen, Texas at Champion Lakes Golf Course, offering single player ($225–$250) and team/foursome ($800) registration, with networking and PAC fundraising.
• Hooked on Fresh Fishing Tournament Annual fishing tournament held at LongBoard's on South Padre Island, Texas, featuring Red Fish, Trout, and Flounder categories with team registration at $350 and Calcutta payouts.
• PULL! For PAC Skeet Shoot Annual sporting clays fundraiser held at El Dorado Sporting Clays in Linn-San Manuel, Texas, supporting political advocacy efforts at local, state, and federal levels.
• TIPA-HFFVA Golf Tournament Annual golf tournament in Houston at Tour 18 in Humble, Texas, supporting the Houston Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association operating under the TIPA banner. Single player $300, team foursome $1,200.
• TIPA-HFFVA Networking Mixer Networking event connecting Houston-area produce industry members including shippers, importers, distributors, retailers, and service providers, held at venues like Tejas Brewery.
• Texas Produce Hall of Fame Biennial induction ceremony honoring leaders in the Texas produce industry, featuring Hall of Fame inductees, Scott Toothaker Award, and Rising Star Awards, with proceeds supporting agricultural scholarships.
• Scott Toothaker Award Annual award honoring individuals not directly involved in production agriculture who have made significant contributions to the produce industry.
• Agricultural Scholarship Program Scholarship program supporting future generations in specialty crop agriculture, with funds raised through Hall of Fame banquet events and the William E. Weeks Agricultural Scholarship.
• Viva Fresh Scholarship Scholarship program supporting students pursuing education in the produce and agricultural industry.
• Mexico Papaya Best Practices Document Food safety best practices guide for the growing and handling of Mexican Papaya, first edition, addressing food safety standards for the papaya supply chain.
• Lime Grades and Standards Training Training guide on lime grades and standards according to USDA requirements for industry professionals.
• Onion Best Practices Guide Commodity-specific food safety guidelines for the dry bulb onion supply chain, downloadable PDF resource.
• Guide: Fraud Prevention in Produce Resource document providing guidance on fraud prevention strategies within the produce industry supply chain.
• Strengthening Organic Enforcement Compliance Resource Compliance resource helping members understand and implement organic enforcement requirements and standards.
• Training and Education Programs Educational offerings including Texas Blueberry Grower Training (USDA Harmonized GAP Plus), Lime Grades and Standards Training, and Fruit and Vegetable Day for Texas Schools.
• YTIPA (Young TIPA) Youth and young professional division of TIPA focused on engaging emerging leaders in the fresh produce industry.
• Houston Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association (HFFVA) under TIPA banner Houston fresh produce industry representation and networking programs now operating under the TIPA banner, serving shippers, importers, distributors, retailers, and service providers in the Houston market.

Quantifiable outcome

• For every $1 fresh produce imported through Texas, approximately $2.19 is generated in economic activity in the United States
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers36 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• South Texas Assets Consortium (STAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTAC works with TIPA on workforce development initiatives including funding grants for paid agriculture internships at RGV ports of entry. STAC provides funding through grants allowing college students to serve as paid interns with CBP at ports of entry.
• University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUTRGV provides agriculture interns through a partnership with CBP and STAC. Students in biological sciences programs serve as paid interns at Pharr International Bridge and Rio Grande City Port of Entry, assisting with agricultural cargo inspections and gaining real-world experience.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBP partners with TIPA, STAC, and UTRGV to operate the paid agriculture internship program at RGV ports of entry. This addresses staffing needs for processing the $7 billion+ of fresh produce crossing through Texas from Mexico annually.
• City of PharrminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner in the CBP-STAC-UTRGV internship program. Pharr, as the number one land port entry for crossing fresh produce from Mexico, prioritizes supporting educational opportunities for residents as a path toward economic prosperity.
• Pharr International BridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the key bridges funding the agriculture internship program. Responsible for handling nearly 80% of Texas produce volume and holds the position as the bridge crossing the most fresh produce loads in the United States annually.
• Starr-Camargo BridgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBridge partner in the CBP-STAC-UTRGV internship program, helping fund and establish the first-in-nation paid agriculture internship program at RGV ports of entry.
• California Citrus MutualminorOthersFellow collaborator in the Specialty Crop CFAP advocacy coalition, working with TIPA and other state/regional organizations to push for improved COVID relief program access for specialty crop producers.
• California Fresh Fruit AssociationminorOthersFellow collaborator in the Specialty Crop CFAP advocacy coalition.
• Florida Fruit & Vegetable AssociationminorOthersFellow collaborator in the Specialty Crop CFAP advocacy coalition.
• Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers AssociationminorOthersFellow collaborator in the Specialty Crop CFAP advocacy coalition.
• National Potato CouncilminorOthersFellow collaborator in the Specialty Crop CFAP advocacy coalition.
• Northwest HorticultureminorOthersFellow collaborator in the Specialty Crop CFAP advocacy coalition.
• Texas Citrus MutualminorOthersFellow collaborator in the Specialty Crop CFAP advocacy coalition.
• Texas Department of AgricultureminorOthersFellow collaborator in the Specialty Crop CFAP advocacy coalition.
• Western Growers AssociationminorOthersFellow collaborator in the Specialty Crop CFAP advocacy coalition.
• Produce Marketing Association (PMA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerTIPA has been exhibiting with PMA for 26 consecutive years through the Texas Town pavilion at the Global Produce & Floral Show. TIPA coordinates booth space, freight handling, setup/teardown for member exhibitors at this major trade show.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Western Growers Association: Regional trade association representing fruit, vegetable, and tree nut producers in California, Arizona, and Colorado. Comparable to TIPA as a produce industry advocacy and member services organization, but operating at a larger scale and broader Western U.S. geography.
• International Fresh Produce Association: Global trade association formed from the merger of PMA and United Fresh, serving the entire fresh produce and floral supply chain. Comparable to TIPA in mission and event-driven member model, but at national/global scale; TIPA's Texas Town pavilion operates within IFPA's Global Produce & Floral Show.
• National Potato Council: National trade association representing potato growers. Comparable to TIPA as a specialty crop policy advocacy coalition partner, though commodity-specific to potatoes and operating at a national level.

Direct peers

• Texas Citrus Mutual: Texas-based citrus industry trade association with advocacy and member services. Comparable to TIPA as a fellow Texas produce association and policy coalition partner, though narrower in scope to citrus commodities.

Others

• Texas Department of Agriculture: State government agency overseeing Texas agriculture policy. Comparable to TIPA in policy advocacy focus on Texas produce and coalition collaboration on Specialty Crop CFAP, though functioning as a regulator and government program administrator rather than a member association.

Regional players

• California Fresh Fruit Association: Trade association representing California fresh fruit growers, packers, and shippers. Comparable to TIPA in mission and structure as a regional produce association, though focused on California tree fruit and table grapes rather than Texas/Mexico produce imports.
• California Citrus Mutual: California-based citrus grower trade association focused on advocacy, trade policy, and member services. A direct policy-coalition peer to TIPA based on their joint participation in the Specialty Crop CFAP advocacy coalition.
• Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association: Florida-based agricultural trade association representing produce growers and shippers. Comparable to TIPA as a state-level produce trade association with policy advocacy and member services, but serving Florida growers rather than Texas/Mexico-border importers.
• Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association: Georgia-based trade association representing produce growers. Comparable to TIPA as a regional produce advocacy organization, though focused on Southeastern U.S. production. Co-collaborator with TIPA in federal specialty crop policy coalitions.
• Northwest Horticultural Council: Pacific Northwest-based trade association representing growers, packers, and shippers of pome fruit, stone fruit, and other horticultural crops. Comparable to TIPA as a regional produce trade association and fellow Specialty Crop CFAP coalition member.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TexProduce
• Facebookfacebook.com/TexIPA.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/texasproduce
• Instagraminstagram.com/texasproduce

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TIPA