The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) proudly hosted the 2026 Texas Produce Hall of Fame on Monday evening at the Mission Events Center in Mission, Texas. The event welcomed nearly 300 industry members, partners, and guests for an evening honoring the past, present, and future of the Texas produce industry.
Held biennially, the Texas Produce Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose leadership, service, and vision have left a lasting mark on Texas agriculture and the broader produce community.
“The Texas Produce Hall of Fame is one of the most meaningful events we host,” said Dante Galeazzi, President & CEO of TIPA. “It gives us the opportunity to honor the pioneers who built this industry, recognize today’s leaders, and invest in the next generation who will carry it forward.”
2026 Texas Produce Hall of Fame Inductees
TIPA congratulates the following leaders inducted into the Texas Produce Hall of Fame:
Steve Cargil, Cargil Farms Produce
Marvin Davis†, Tex-Mex Sales
James Peterson†, Starr Produce
Tommy Wilkins, Horton Fruit Co.
Each inductee was honored for their enduring contributions to the produce industry and their influence on Texas agriculture and the communities it supports.
“These inductees represent the values that define our industry—hard work, integrity, innovation, and service,” Galeazzi said. “Their legacies continue to shape Texas produce today.”
Additional Industry Awards
TIPA also recognized excellence and emerging leadership across the industry with the following awards:
Scott Toothaker Award
Craig Fox†, Fox Packaging
Rising Star Awards
Will Beckwith, Beckwith Produce
Jose Bernal, Sweet Seasons
Kristen Davis, Tex-Mex Sales
Johnny Garcia, The Veg Depot
“It’s equally important that we celebrate those who are building the future of our industry,” Galeazzi added. “These award recipients exemplify leadership, dedication, and promise.”
Scholarship Recipients Recognized
As part of TIPA’s commitment to education and workforce development, scholarships were awarded to:
- Mariela Elizondo
- Jonah Henderson
- Sadie Smith
- Macey Thomas
- Bryson Whitlow
“Supporting students through scholarships ensures that our industry remains strong for generations to come,” Galeazzi said. “These students represent the future of Texas agriculture.”
An Evening of Reflection and Celebration
In addition to the awards program, attendees participated in a silent auction benefiting TexPAC initiatives and enjoyed browsing photo albums featuring past Texas Produce Hall of Fame inductees, offering a nostalgic look at the leaders who have shaped the industry over decades.
“Seeing the history of our Hall of Fame displayed alongside today’s honorees was a powerful reminder of how far this industry has come,” Galeazzi said. “It’s an honor to celebrate that legacy together.”
Attendees and industry members are invited to relive the evening through a collection of event photos captured during the celebration and inductee tribute videos. The full gallery can be viewed online by clicking here.
About the Texas International Produce Association
The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, advocating, promoting, and representing the over $12 billion of fresh fruits and vegetables that are grown in Texas or consider Texas their first point of arrival for domestic distribution. TIPA was created in 1942 by a group of industry leaders who shared a vision to expand the region’s produce industry. Today, TIPA represents over 370 member companies throughout the fresh produce supply chain. Membership ranks include growers, shippers, grocery stores, foodservice distributors, importers and a host of allied industries. For more information, please visit www.texipa.org.
