IFPA Mourns Passing of Retail Produce Champion Joe Watson  

WASHINGTON – The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is saddened to share with its members and industry news of the recent passing of Joe Watson, who served as the organization’s Vice President of Retail, Foodservice, and Wholesale, after a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer.  

“Joe was synonymous with many of our connections and engagement with the buying community in our industry,” said IFPA CEO Cathy Burns. “A true retailer at heart who was quick with a handshake and who knew practically every buyer by face and name. His stories about his ‘retail days’ were legendary, sharing merchandising success stories and pictures of stores he since visited. The industry consistently looked to him for his insights and analysis of our sales data and consumer trends. His passion for our industry was only surpassed by his faith and love for his family.” 

Watson was a major retail produce industry figure who would host sessions on retail produce.

Watson joined IFPA legacy organization PMA in June of 2015, where he was hired as Vice President of Domestic Business Development. Prior to joining PMA, he was the director of produce for Thibodaux, Louisiana-based Rouses Supermarkets, where he managed the produce departments’ operations of the chain’s 46 retail stores. 

Per his obituary, family and friends are invited to a visitation on Monday, August 31 at Chauvin Funeral Home in Houma, Louisiana, from 5-9 p.m. Visitation and service will continue on Tuesday, September 1 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Montegut, Louisiana at 9:00am until service time at 11 a.m. 

IFPA extends its heartfelt condolences to his wife Jeannie, his two daughters, granddaughter, family members, and countless industry friends who knew him.  

Joe was beloved and will be sorely missed by the many IFPA staff and volunteers who had the pleasure of knowing and working alongside him to make the global fresh produce community better. 

About the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA)

The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is the largest and most diverse international association serving the entire fresh produce and floral supply chain and the only to seamlessly integrate world-facing advocacy and industry-facing support. We exist to bring the industry together to create a vibrant future for all. We grow our members’ prosperity by conducting advocacy, connecting people and ideas; and offering guidance that allows us all to take action with purpose and confidence. IFPA represents member companies from small family businesses to the largest international corporations throughout the global fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied association