Aug 22, 2024
IFPA mourns the passing of Ed Duda

A. Duda & Sons’ Ed Duda passes

Western Growers and the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) mourns the passing of Edward “Ed” Duda, a past United Fresh Produce Association chair and influential leader in fresh produce community.

Duda, a principal of A. Duda & Sons Inc., died Aug. 11. He was 91.

During a career that spanned decades, “Ed built a lasting legacy at that will continue to impact agriculture for generations to come. His loss will be felt throughout the industry,” according to a statement from Western Growers.

A third-generation descendent of company founder Andrew Duda and the first of his generation to serve as the company’s president, Ed Duda began his career in 1957 as a farm supervisor at its Belle Glade, Florida, growing operations.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Duda worked in various areas of the organization until he was elected president in 1977. During his tenure at Duda, he was named president and chairman of the board and president and CEO. Duda retired in 1998.

Duda is a grower and shipper of celery, sweet corn, radishes and other vegetables.

Along with his contribution to Duda, Duda also supported organizations including the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida, and the Florida Institute of Technology.

“My father had an intense curiosity about people, life, business, and especially farming and the produce business,” Duda CEO Sammy Duda, Ed’s son, said in the Western Growers report. “He took a great deal of pride in the role he played in growing and diversifying Duda into the successful business it is today. I will always remember his sense of humor, his interest in people from all walks of life, and his drive and determination that we could always be better. His humility and ability to connect with people will be an enduring legacy for all of us to emulate in our approach to life, work, and relationships. His love of the company and the people who worked here were a testament to his faith and confidence in God and the human spirit. He will be missed.”

For his lifetime of service and many contributions to the agricultural community, Duda was inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2015 and was recognized by the industry in 1996 as Produce Man of the Year.

“Ed was a critically impactful Chair who always put the fresh produce industry first and a pleasure to partner with during his tenure as an association leader,” Tom Stenzel, retired United Fresh CEO and retired IFPA Co-CEO, said in a news release. “As United Fresh Chair, he was a strong voice for grower-shippers and a tireless advocate for the needs of the fruit and vegetable production community.”

Following a private family burial, a memorial service is scheduled for Aug. 24 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Oviedo.

The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church or the Lutheran Haven Retirement Center in lieu of flowers.