Viva Fresh Scholarship

$2,000 Annual Scholarship Amount (Paid $1,000 per semester)

This year’s Viva Fresh scholarship posthumously honors Mr. Scott Fletcher whose warmth, integrity, and tireless work ethic shaped both the Texas produce community and the Allen Lund Company for more than two decades.

Scott made his mark in logistics with Menlo Logistics at Coca-Cola in Waco, TX, before opening Allen Lund Company’s Dallas office in 2008. Under his leadership the branch earned the 2011 Gear Up Award and, after merging with Garland in 2015, became one of the firm’s premier operations. Colleagues remember his booming smile, firm handshake, and conviction that “people have to trust you if you want their business.”

An original supporter of the Texas International Produce Association, Scott traveled countless miles in Texas forging relationships that spanned the state. He served four years as Director-at-Large, helping form then co-chair the inaugural TIPA “Pull for PAC” alongside Mark Santos, cementing friendships that still flourish. Described as genuine, larger-than-life, and guided by faith, Scott received Allen Lund’s coveted Legacy Award for exemplifying the character of the company’s founder.

His influence endures and exemplifies the character and commitment necessary to shape the region’s fresh produce industry for the benefit and betterment of all.

Objective of the scholarship

The program will provide one-year scholarships to family of TIPA members, Viva Fresh exhibitors & sponsor companies for students who intend to pursue a degree or certification program relevant to the fresh produce industry.

Mission of the scholarship

Allow all scopes and job areas that could be of benefit of the fresh produce supply chain to apply, not only the traditional agriculture degrees.

Purpose of the scholarship

Support the broad range of skills and job functions needed by the next generation of fresh produce professionals.

Details of the scholarship

The amount of the scholarship is $2,000 per recipient ($1,000/semester)
Applicant must plan to obtain a degree or certification from a college/university/vocational school that can be applied to the produce-industry supply chain.
- If pursuing a bachelor’s degree; must be enrolled in 12+ hours of coursework.
Applicant must be a high school senior or presently enrolled in a college/university/vocational school.
High school applicants and college applicants must have maintained a minimum of 2.5 GPA or higher.

Viva Fresh scholarship submission rules

Emphasis in judging will be placed on the responses to essay questions listed in the scholarship application, as well as on grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Only one application is allowed per student in this scholarship competition.
Applicants must be employees of or the respective family of TIPA-members and Viva Fresh-contributor companies, such as exhibitors and sponsor companies.
Applicants must intend to enroll in an accredited educational institution for an academic year in a field pertaining to the fresh produce supply chain. This includes, but is not limited to agriculture, horticulture, crop science, logistics, mechanical engineering, ag sales, and ag marketing.
Applicants must complete all required information on the entry form. Applications that fail to meet the requirements or are incomplete will not be reviewed.
Answers must be the applicants’ original work and no more than 100 words in length per question.
Applications must be submitted via email to info@texipa.org or via fax (956) 581-3912 on or before 11:59 p.m. CST on 07/31 of the current year applying for.
Questions regarding the scholarship should be directed to info@texipa.org.

The decision of the judges is final.

The deadline for the Viva Fresh scholarship submissions is July 31, 2025.

Incomplete applications will be returned to applications, with a request to rectify missing information within 5 days of the request or they forfeit the application. Applications are then reviewed by the Viva Fresh Open Golf Committee for final selection of qualified candidates. TIPA personnel will then contact the scholarship recipients, requesting the appropriate supporting documentation as well as a photograph for promotional and advertising purposes. Applicants who are not chosen during the initial application year may be considered for future years and are encouraged to apply again if qualification terms continue to apply.

Scholarship Awardees

Anthony E. Vasquez
Farmer’s Marketing Services

Texas A&M Univ.-Kingsville, Agriculture
Science – General Agriculture, B.S.

Brittany M. St. George
Dole Fresh Vegetables

UC Irvine,
Education &
Global Cultures, Agriculture Teacher

James Murray
Tex-Mex Recycling / Tenaza Organics

UT at Austin,
Biology & STEM
– Freshman Polymathic Honors

Mariela Elizondo
International Paper

The University of Oklahoma, Agricultural
Marketing