On Friday, March 7, FPAA hosted Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs for a roundtable discussion with FPAA members and the local community, about the impact that tariffs would have on the business. FPAA explained to Gov. Hobbs how tariffs would impact distributors’ ability to manage cash flow, and thus harm the industry’s viability to be an employer in the community.
Gov. Hobbs has written two letters in support of FPAA’s desire to maintain the Tomato Suspension Agreement, and this visit to FPAA follows her previous visit in January of 2024. FPAA thanks the following members for participating in the March 7 roundtable: Chairman-elect Guillermo Martinez of Frello Fresh; FPAA Tomato Division Chairman Javier Badillo of Fresh International; Diego Ley V of Del Campo Supreme; Sabrina Hallman of Sierra Seed; Chris Ciruli of Ciruli Brothers; Walter Ram of Giumarra Cos.; James Martin of Wilson Produce; Jose Luis Obregon of IPR Fresh; Skip Hullett and Anna Osterlind of NatureSweet; and Guilermo Valencia of CMMV. Prior to the roundtable at FPAA, the governor toured IPR’s warehouse.
In a separate meeting, on Monday, March 10, FPAA President Lance Jungmeyer was invited to a roundtable at the Governor’s office, with the subject being the USMCA trade agreement. Hobbs said her administration is dedicated to maintaining the USMCA. FPAA asked Gov. Hobbs to advocate that the next version of USMCA reject any notion of seasonal produce tariffs. FPAA also suggested that the next USMCA would be more effective if it called for equivalency between US and Mexican food safety laws. Finally, FPAA suggested that Arizona should add connective infrastructure to best help businesses take advantage of the USMCA. For example, FPAA noted that Exits 12 and 17 were key connective infrastructure projects that, once completed, will help the state boost its trade with Mexico. Gov. Hobbs’ office shared a post about the meeting on X.
