Belize's 2007 La Ruta Maya River Challenge, Third Place Won by the Fruta Bomba Team

The 10th annual La Ruta Maya River Challenge - the longest canoe race in Central America - took to the river March 8th - 11th. Hundreds of paddlers and avid canoe enthusiasts came from all over the world to take part in Belize's most recognized sports event, an energy-packed four day race that covered 180 miles of the country's most scenic waterways.

Congratulations to the Fruta Bomba team for coming in third place in this test of endurance for mind, body and spirit.

Construction of Fruta Bomba's Headquarters Resumed

After getting the go ahead from the Belize National Institute of Archeology, Fruta Bomba has resumed construction of their new office complex site in Belize Central America.

Fruta Bomba - a wholly owned subsidiary of Brooks Tropicals - grows, packs and ships Caribbean Red and Caribbean Sunrise papayas.

Brooks Tropicals Continues Highly Acclaimed Donation Program for Belize Schools

Brooks donates computer systems to eight schools in Belize, where Caribbean Red® and Caribbean Sunrise® papayas are grown and packed.

Continuing its engagement with schools in northern Belize, Brooks Tropicals, through its subsidiaries Fruta Bomba and Belize Fruit Packers, kicked off its school donation year with the purchase of computer systems for eight schools in the region.

“We believe in the importance of education and are very proud to support Belize schools with new computers,” said Zoltan Pinter, Vice President of Administration for Brooks. “If there's anything we know about the future, we know it will involve computers. It’s our hope that these computers help open up that future for the children of Belize and the children of our employees.”

Entering year four of this school donation program, Brooks will again work directly with schools in the region of Belize where the company grows and packs Caribbean Red and Caribbean Sunrise papayas. In the past, Brooks has donated computers, refrigerators, water pumps, electrical upgrades, student desks, books and more.

Donations go beyond making the contributions to buy the desired items. Fruta Bomba and Belize Fruit Packers personnel work closely with the individual schools to make the needed upgrades, additions or improvements. Sometimes it takes putting on a tool belt to get the job done.

In this recent donation of computers, Brooks worked closely with Belize officials in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Department of Education.

“As a company, we are committed to improving the quality of education in our respected communities of business,” said Gilberto Vivas, Manager of Fruta Bomba. “We are guided by our rich heritage and time-honored values in this effort.”

Fruta Bomba and Belize Fruit Packers, respectively, grow and pack Caribbean Red® and Caribbean Sunrise® papayas in northern Belize. These two subsidiaries of Brooks Tropicals are listed as one of the top five employers in Corozal, Belize.

Brooks Tropicals, Inc., is now Brooks Tropicals, LLC.

Brooks Tropicals is now officially Brooks Tropicals, LLC. It’s the same company, the same people, the same products and the same service you’ve come to rely on.

The change will impact only what you’ll see on invoices, checks, stationery, boxes, advertisements and other marketing materials.

The change was initiated to leverage operational benefits. The name change will not impact what we do or how we do it. We’re still the Brooks Tropicals you know and have worked with over the years.

We appreciate your business and look forward to our continued success working together. Should you have any questions, please call for additional information.

Brooks Tropicals promotes Rossignoli

Brooks Tropicals Inc. in Homestead, FL, announced the promotion of Jose E. Rossignoli to director of national sales. For the past two years, he had been an assistant to Neal (Pal) Brooks, president.

Since joining the firm, Mr. Rossignoli has been involved in the planning of the firm's papaya operations in Belize as well as the SlimCado avocado operations in southern Florida.

Additionally, he will be working with the retail and foodservice industries in the development of new and existing accounts to achieve higher visibility for Caribbean Sunrise and Caribbean Red papayas.

With Mr. Rossignoli's new position, Brooks Tropicals will further integrate papaya production with its merchandising and sales programs.

Mr. Rossignoli graduated from the University of Florida in 2003 with a bachelor of science degree in agriculture and earned a master's degree in agribusiness in 2004. Born in Ecuador, Mr. Rossignoli and his wife, Kelly, currently reside in Miramar, FL.

Brooks Tropicals Expands SlimCado Avocado Grove Services

To more effectively meet the needs of the avocado growers in South-Dade, Brooks Tropicals Inc. has split grove management responsibilities into two positions.

Murray Bass will focus on grower relations, building and solidifying relations within Brooks’ large family of avocado growers. As Grower Liaison, Mr. Bass will be surveying grove conditions in fields that Brooks’ owns, leases and maintains. With Mr. Bass’ extensive avocado background, these detailed grove assessments will be key in determining harvesting schedules and in efficiently addressing the concerns and needs of Brooks’ growers.

Jeff Crawford has been promoted to Avocado Production Manager. In this position, Mr. Crawford will head-up the management of day-to-day grove operations including personnel management, purchasing and production. This strategic position will pay particular attention to the economics of avocado production while insuring that the quality of fruit being harvested continues to meet the high standards that Brooks’ customers have grown to expect.

“The two positions have been set-up to work closely together,” says Craig Wheeling, CEO Brooks Tropicals. “We see vast opportunities in the avocado marketplace in 2007 and beyond. Making these strategic moves now will advance Brooks’ competitive edge.”

Located in Homestead, Brooks Tropicals is one of the nation’s largest grower, packer and shipper of tropical fruits and vegetables.

ABC's Brothers and Sisters Show Talks About SlimCados

In the "Family Day" episode originally aired 1/7/07. The character that Sally Fields' plays tells how SlimCados are a great idea would be a great investment for the family's company.