We are excited to announce that Alfredo Garcia has joined West Pak Avocado’s field team as the new GAP Coordinator and Field Buyer. With a strong commitment to ensuring Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification, Alfredo will play a crucial role in assisting growers through the certification process. This initiative aims to enhance safety and quality, boost consumer trust, and ultimately lead to broader market access and sustainability for avocado growers.
Alfredo has been with West Pak’s operations team for several years, giving him a deep understanding of avocado packing, value-added processes, and distribution warehouse functions. His experience makes him a reliable contributor with the technical skills and work ethic needed for the challenges of GAP coordination. He has been recognized for his dependability and the right technical abilities, making him an excellent fit for the detailed demands of his new role.
When discussing his GAP responsibilities, Alfredo shared, “It is essential for the company and the ranch to be GAP-certified.” He emphasized the importance of adhering to specific guidelines, such as maintaining good irrigation systems and soil conditions for the avocado trees. According to Alfredo, “It’s worth the extra step to ensure the best possible fruit for our consumers.”
Alfredo’s responsibilities in GAP compliance align well with his field buying duties in Riverside and San Diego counties, which require strong communication, grower relations, and harvest and field logistics coordination. He was selected for this position due to his drive, curiosity, and relevant experience. He is eager to learn and ready to apply his background in this field-facing role.
One of Alfredo’s key strengths is his natural ability to communicate and build relationships with growers. He expressed, “I look forward to taking on a new challenge: growing and developing new skills and understanding the agricultural side of the fruit.” With his new position, he gets a front-row seat on how supply, demand, pricing, and quality shift week to week.
Alfredo takes pride in representing a product that’s good for people and the planet. He enjoys being part of the field team, noting, “The best part of my role is experiencing new adventures, talking to the ranchers, and solving real-world challenges.” He also appreciates the supportive atmosphere at West Pak, stating, “They’ve treated me well since the beginning. It’s a family-oriented environment, and I appreciate how welcome I feel.”
As for his favorite way to enjoy avocados, Alfredo doesn’t hold back: “Yes, I love avocados, and I put them on everything!” His go-to meals include guacamole, tortillas with salt, and tortas.
