CPE sends container ‘filled with hope’ from Puerto Rico to New York

The Caribbean Produce Exchange (CPE), a distributor of fresh produce and consumer products in Puerto Rico, recently joined forces with a group of local farmers to export a container filled with fresh fruits, plantains and other local products to New York.

The company said its motivation for delivering the country’s “Son de Aquí” products is to help create hope and solidarity among the Puerto Rican and Hispanic communities in the South Bronx affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of CPE’s mission to nurture families with high quality foods, 16,000 pounds of local fresh fruit and produce, including pineapples from Manatí, Santa Isabel papayas, and Guánica green plantains, arrived from Puerto Rico to Baldor Specialty Foods’ facility in the South Bronx. According to the company, the produce was expected to be distributed to senior citizens, low-income families and community centers that serve vulnerable populations in the city through a partnership with City Harvest.

In addition, employees who work as first-line responders for Baldor, as well as other first responders, were eligible to receive fresh produce as part of the donation.

“Given the spread COVID-19 has had in New York City, and its health and socio-economic impact on low-income families, we wanted to extend our support and solidarity by integrating Puerto Rican tropical fruits, with all its flavors and freshness as part of our social commitment efforts,” said Ángel Santiago, president and CEO of CPE. “This initiative has been possible thanks to several companies that immediately agreed to be a part of the mission and share hope with our brothers in New York who are facing the ravages of this pandemic as well as support from the New York State Office of Trade and Tourism in Puerto Rico.”

The container, provided and shipped from San Juan, Puerto Rico by Crowley Logistics, which is the island’s longest-serving US shipping and logistics company as part of Crowley Maritime, also included a variety of Wana Bana tropical fruit purées ideal for children, senior citizens and people with diabetic conditions. The container arrived on the container ship MV Taíno in Jacksonville FL and immediately was trucked into New York City.

“Crowley has always strived to help people in the communities in which we live, work and serve, and this partnership continues the longstanding commitment by the company and our employees,” said Sal Menoyo, Crowley Logistics vice president for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. “We know we all need to work together to help each other in response to COVID-19, so it was our pleasure to transport the donated fruits and produce from CPE to Baldor Foods on our LNG-powered ship, MV Taíno from Puerto Rico to the US mainland.”

Baldor Specialty Foods, headquartered in the South Bronx, is one of the largest importers and distributors of fresh produce and specialty foods in the Northeast. Baldor Cares, the company’s social responsibility platform, works with a wide array of non-profit entities such as “City Harvest” in New York, to provide food for citizens in need throughout the Tri-State area.

“We are grateful at Baldor Specialty Foods for the kind gesture of Caribbean Produce to send to us a shipment of delicious fruit from Puerto Rico,” said Thomas McQuillan, vice president for strategy, culture and sustainability. “We will share this produce with our colleagues at Baldor and with people living in the South Bronx. So many of our neighbors hail from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.

“It is heartwarming to know that people can be so generous during a time of crisis and uncertainty.”