Roberto Fantini
McAllen, TX (USA)
Role(s):
Founder/Owner/Principal
First Produce Services
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Startup
Location:
Pharr
Industry:
Wholesale
Year Founded:
2015
Number Employees:
10-50 people
Business Stage:
Growth (profitable)
Entity Type:
Limited Liability Company
Description:
First Produce Services is a Texas-based produce distribution and cold storage company specializing in the sourcing, ripening, warehousing, and distribution of fresh fruits, primarily avocados and mangos, to major U.S. retailers and wholesale customers.
The company operates a vertically integrated model that connects growers and packing houses in Mexico with retail and foodservice customers across the United States. By managing procurement, quality control, logistics coordination, cold storage, and distribution in-house, First Produce ensures consistent supply, traceability, and retail-ready product that meets strict food safety and quality standards.
Our retail programs operate on a high-volume weekly cycle, with product sourced directly from growers, packed to customer specifications, transported through controlled cold-chain logistics, and delivered to distribution centers and retail warehouses. In addition to contract retail programs, we also participate in the spot market, allowing us to optimize inventory movement and manage market volatility effectively.
Beyond distribution, First Produce provides third-party cold storage and handling services, offering value-added solutions such as cross-docking, pallet management, inventory rotation, and ripening coordination. This dual model of warehousing and produce distribution allows the company to leverage operational infrastructure efficiently while maintaining flexibility to scale.
The company’s growth strategy focuses on expanding retail partnerships, strengthening direct grower relationships in Mexico, increasing cold-storage capacity, and further integrating supply chain functions. Long-term objectives include geographic expansion, enhanced infrastructure ownership, and strategic partnerships or institutional investment to support continued national growth.
First Produce Services is built on disciplined operational management, strong supplier relationships, and a commitment to quality, reliability, and scalable infrastructure within the fresh produce industry.