By joining the TIPA Membership you will be part of over 360 industry companies which include:
- Growers
- Shippers
- Packers
- Distributors
- Wholesalers
- Customs Brokers
- Transportation
- Importers
And many more Allied Industry members!
TIPA is the organization that can help you reach your goals and be prepared for the future. Members gain access and assistance from a professional and experienced staff ready to help you on issues such as:
- Labor laws
- PLU Codes
- Taxes
- Border Issues
- Food Safety
- H2A
- Pests and Disease
Tackling these issues alone is difficult, but being a member of TIPA gives you the strength in numbers.
Every year, TIPA produces a directory booklet with all its members listed. Being a member will grant you access to this booklet and also being listed among the members.
An online directory is also available. If you need to get access to the online directory, please contact info@texipa.org. Only members will have access to this.
Here’s what we’ve been up to…
TIPA works on pressing issues in today’s world. Whether it affects your business at the farm or at the border, TIPA has tackled issues on all fronts.
USDA Inspection Fee Schedule for 8e Commodities
ON-GOING 2023: Due to be published May 25 for implementation October 1, 2023. This new schedule will have fee structure specific for 8e Commodities – specifically limiting the charges on multiple lots.
HTS Codes for fresh produce
ON-GOING 2023: TIPA has been working closely with USDA to improve the HTS codes for fresh produce items. Of the nearly 50 new codes created in the last year, more than $3 billion worth of goods have been attributed to the new codes already. This is important for good data collection of imported FFV items.
Mexican Papayas & Food Safety
ON-GOING 2023: TIPA continues to collaborate in this international food safety partnership. In July, alongside FDA, ProExport & IFPA as partners TIPA will present at the International Association for Food Protection Summit in Toronto on the history and impacts of this effort.
STAC Ag Internships
ON-GOING 2023: The CBP Ag Internships program has transitioned into a permanent addition at 3 RGV bridges (Pharr, Los Indios & Starr). We will begin working on a similar program with USDA for Entomologist Internships at Texas POEs.
RGV Citrus & Veg Day
January 2023: TIPA was again a title sponsor and collaborated by providing grower names for the valley’s 5th annual RGV Citrus & Veg Day. This event brings the valley’s fresh produce industry in contact with the youth of the community through groups such as 4-H & FFA. The event focuses on school age students harvesting fresh produce items for a judging contest.
RGV Legislative Tour
January 2023: More than 200 representatives from various Texas Representatives and Staffers participated in the region’s 2nd legislative tour, in which members from all over Texas visited the Rio Grande Valley to learn about the region’s diverse business sectors, geography, demographics and needs/challenges. TIPA had the opportunity to speak before the group about our industry & needs.
Fruit Logistica
February 2023: In collaboration w/ TDA’s efforts to take Texas products into international markets, TIPA participated in a Texas-coalition of exhibitors at the Fruit Logistica event in Berlin, Germany. This effort has already paid off, as multiple international leads have been passed to TIPA members for new offshore business opportunities.
RGV Day at the Capitol
February 2023: Organized by the RGV Partnership, this advocacy event is a march on the capitol in Austin in which more than 200 participants from the RGV visited state legislatures and senators to discuss regional priorities. TIPA provided the grapefruit handed out to each office, an informational pamphlet on our sector, and was a team leader for office visits.
Economic Impact of MX-grown FFV to TX & US
February 2023: Prepared by Texas A&M’s Center for North American Studies, this economic impact report has been a vital tool since its first edition in 2016. It is a citable reference on the importance of imported fruits and vegetables as a measure of the value to the economy.
Viva Fresh 2023
March 2023: Record breaking w/ 2600 attendees, over 400 retail-foodservice buyers, and 208 exhibitors. Thus far, very positive feedback all around with a lot of excitement for the Houston 2024 event.
Texas & Farm Bill 2023
March 2023: TIPA had presence at multiple events for Farm Bill 2023 listening sessions in Texas where we provided our region’s fruit and vegetable perspectives. This included a large panel hearing in Waco, as well as a stakeholder roundtable in McAllen that was mostly fruit & vegetable producers & handlers.
Emergency Relief Program (ERP) 2020 & 2021
March 2023: In the wake of Hurricane Hannah 2020 & Valentine Freeze 2021, TIPA was among many ag groups lobbying to see a disaster relief fund set-up for to cover these events. In late 2022, ERP was announced to replace WHIP for those years, and in March 2023 sign-ups for ERP Phase 2 to cover fruits & vegetables began.
April in Austin Advocacy Event
April 2023: As April is Texas Fruit & Vegetable Month, on 4/5 & 4/19 TIPA visited TX legislators & senators in their Austin offices in AM to discuss critical industry issues and discuss current bills. In the afternoons, we handed out fresh produce to promote awareness and importance of the industry. This effort was a tremendous success as we saw direct rewards in advancing HB 3991 –Fruit & Vegetable Day in Texas Public Schools.
Market News, Lime Prices
April 2023: TIPA successfully worked with USDA to change how Lime prices are shown in the USDA Market News reports again. In addition, TIPA has formed a Lime Committee and will be hosting an educational effort in late Summer 2023 to improve awareness of lime grades and standards.
Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) Expo
April 2023: In collaboration w/ TDA’s efforts to take Texas products into international markets, TIPA participated in a Texas-coalition of exhibitors and retail/wholesaler visits at the CPMA Expo event in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
US-MX Water Treaty of 1944
April 2023: In collaboration with RGV Sugar & TCM, TIPA was able to support efforts that saw 14 Texas Congressional Reps & Sen. John Cornyn sign onto a letter insisting that the State Department engage with IBWC and Mexico to ensure more MX-water is released to fulfill the treaty.
Texas A&M Uvalde Field Day
May 2023: Presented on-going marketing efforts about highlighted the importance of promotions and marketing to regional growers and educational staff.
Title 42 & Texas Border
May 2023: Participating in regular talks as part of Border Trade Alliance to coordinate with federal and state authorities to ensure that trade is minimally impacted during the conclusion of Title 42. This includes weighing in on the importance of contingency plans specific to perishable cargo and the speedy resolution of any such delays.
