West Pak Avocado, a family-owned company, has evolved from a modest Southern California packing house into a global leader in the avocado industry

Over the past four decades, West Pak Avocado has grown from a modest family business into a significant player in the global avocado industry.

Originating in a small packing house in Southern California, the company’s founders established a solid reputation based on trust, integrity, and consistently delivering on their promises.

Today, West Pak Avocado operates as a grower, packer, and distributor of premium avocados. With strategically located distribution centers and sourcing regions that span the United States, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Chile, the company has expanded its reach considerably. Its disciplined approach to providing exceptional products and services has earned it a solid global reputation within the produce industry.

The company’s mission is clear: to bring delicious, healthy, sustainable, and responsibly sourced avocados to consumers worldwide.

This mission is supported by its vision to be a clear global leader in avocados and its credo of being a family avocado company.

West Pak Avocado is deeply rooted in its core values, which include respect for people, integrity, reputation, dedication and commitment, and growth and strength in avocados.

Investing in the future is a key aspect of West Pak’s strategy. The company aims for sustainable growth and is committed to expanding its business while maintaining high-quality and service standards. To meet the growing global demand for avocados,

Investments in technology have enhanced their capabilities in processing, ripening, and distribution both in the United States and internationally.

West Pak Avocado’s facilities are strategically located to optimize their operations. The corporate office and main packing house are situated in Murrieta, California, serving as the gateway to U.S. distribution.

This facility offers services such as packing, repacking, ripening, and cold storage. In Uruapan, Mexico, the company operates a busy packing facility that processes fruit for local distribution and export, offering personalized branded avocado packaging.

Additional distribution centers in Dallas, Texas; Swedesboro, New Jersey; Edinburg, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, ensure efficient regional distribution across the United States and into Canada.

Modern technology plays a crucial role in West Pak’s operations. The company employs advanced systems for sorting, selecting, and supplying fresh fruit, including the Compac 9000 CIR and Compac Inspectra System for grading and sizing avocados. These technologies, along with forced-air ripening and computerized sizers, help maintain the quality and consistency of their products.

Quality assurance and ripening expertise are central to West Pak’s commitment to delivering premium avocados. Their modern processing facilities and expert ripening services ensure that avocados reach consumers at the peak of freshness.

The company’s mastery of transportation logistics and strategically placed distribution centers enable on-time delivery tailored to customers’ specifications.

West Pak Avocado is also dedicated to sustainability and responsible sourcing. The company released its second annual sustainability report in 2020, titled “Growing a Legacy of Responsibility.” The report outlines their commitments to environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and ethical business practices.

CEO Mario Pacheco emphasized the company’s belief that respect for people and the environment enables long-term growth in harmony with the needs of partners, communities, and ecosystems.

The company’s efforts in sustainability are reflected in their food safety and quality programs. West Pak follows rigorous food safety protocols, including Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Harvesting Practices (GHP), enforced through the FSMA Produce Safety Rule.

Their proactive approach includes a comprehensive food safety plan, supplier verification, food defense, environmental monitoring, and sanitation programs. These measures ensure that their products are safe and meet all regulatory requirements.

West Pak Avocado offers a variety of products to meet different consumer needs. Their bagged avocados provide convenience for shoppers and opportunities for retailers to drive sales in the avocado category.

Image: Courtesy of West Pak Avocado

Options like the “Lil’ Cados,” which are mini-sized avocados ideal for single servings, cater to consumers looking for portion control without compromising on flavor and nutritional benefits.

The “California Gold” line features avocados harvested from California’s fertile, sun-soaked hills, offering a buttery smooth texture and a wealth of local grove goodness.

In recent developments, West Pak has been focusing on expanding its organics program. The company is committed to meeting the growing demand for organic produce, adhering to stringent standards set by the National Organic Program (NOP).

Their organic avocados are non-GMO and grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. West Pak’s organic products bear recognizable certification seals, such as the USDA Organic seal, providing assurance to consumers about the product’s authenticity.

Consumer interest in organic avocados is on the rise, with organic produce accounting for more than 15% of total U.S. fruit and vegetable sales. West Pak Avocado is positioning itself to meet this demand by offering both bulk and bagged organic avocados for retail, along with branded options like “California Gold” and “Lil’ Cados.” Their organics program reflects their broader commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable farming practices.

Celebrating 40 years in the industry, West Pak Avocado launched last year the “40 Years Forward” campaign to highlight its legacy and future ambitions.

The company plans to increase its market share by reaching new territories and delivering premium avocados to more parts of the world. Facility expansions, productivity enhancements, and the growth of their distribution network are part of this strategic plan. Their new distribution center in New Jersey, for instance, features state-of-the-art technology aimed at efficiency and sustainability.

In line with their customer-centric approach, West Pak introduced the AVO360 program. This full-service initiative ensures a year-round supply of premium avocados and offers personalized experiences for customers worldwide.

The program includes impactful, branded avocado packaging and provides educational, marketing, and merchandising support tailored to the needs of retail and food service customers.

West Pak Avocado also places a strong emphasis on fostering a positive company culture. Recognizing the importance of its employees, the company celebrates Global Company Culture Month by promoting a supportive and inclusive workplace environment.

They believe that a great company culture enhances productivity, attracts top talent, and evolves continuously to meet the changing needs of the business and its employees.

This month, the company unveiled a new bag program featuring avocados from key growing regions: California, Mexico, and Colombia.

This initiative is part of their AVO360 Full-Service Experience, designed to enhance the avocado shopping experience for retailers and ensure a consistent, year-round supply of quality fruit.