One cool thing about my job at Indianapolis Fruit is the variety of my job responsibilities.  I was originally hired as a bilingual sales representative & along with 1 other sales rep, I helped launch & build the Hispanic Sales division of Indy Fruit.  Our city is no different than any other city in the US, over the last 10 years, we have evolved into a diverse metropolis.  Likewise, over the last decade businesses have been dedicated to capitalizing on the growing demographic of Hispanic Americans.  Selling fresh produce to our delivery area‘s bodegas & mercados was a natural fit to our company’s strategic plan & growth.

Upon being hired in 2005, cold calls & visit to these bodegas were a big part of my job.  I finally found a group of stores here in Indy, Tienda Morelos, that agreed to get their produce from Indy Fruit, but they needed me to get their El Popo Tortillas from Chicago – since they would no longer be driving to the International Produce Terminal in Chi-town to buy fruits & veggies.  I’m a trained saleswoman, so of course I just replied “No problem, I can get your tortillas.”  Which in turn added “buyer” to my list of job responsibilities.

And so the journey & my love affair with El Popo Tortillas began…. This product is pretty much responsible for me satisfying my first real goal here at Indianapolis Fruit: secure Hispanic market customers.  Without the tortillas, I had no shot at selling produce.  Today Indianapolis Fruit’s partnership with El Popo Tortillas & Matilda Chips is one of our best.  They are quick to support our initiatives (like The Produce Mom) & together our businesses have grown.  It’s easy to promote a product when you really believe in it & trust me… everyone here at Indy Fruit agrees, El Popo Tortillas & Matilda Chips are the best I’ve ever tasted.

Where can you find El Popo Tortillas & Matilda Chips?

Their current customer base is strong in food service, which makes it tricky when it comes to brand awareness/recognition with the consumer.  But the trend has started & both labels are finding a home in more & more grocery stores.  As a matter of fact, the Matilda Chips are a top-selling non-perishable food item for Sendik’s grocery stores in Wisconsin.  Their products can currently be found in about 30 states, as well as throughout Canada.

If you are a foodie or a Top Chef fan, you know Chef Rick Bayless – winner of Top Chef Masters & owner of several famous restaurants, including Frontera Grill & Topolobampo.   Chef Bayless uses nothing but El Popo products.  Impressive, right?  Some professional sports & entertainment arenas, including Indianapolis’ Bankers Life Fieldhouse use Matilda Chips in their restaurants, suites and/or concession stands.  More impressive & Go Pacers!

So what I’m saying is… Popo Tortillas & Matilda Chips are the real deal.  And they are definitely part of every Fiesta that I host!

Here’s how you can win ¿Dónde es la Fiesta?

1.  Print out Fiesta Produce Mom

2.  Snap a picture of her partying at your fiesta

3.  Share your picture on The Produce Mom’s Facebook Wall or Twitter Feed

4.  Entries must be submitted by Thursday, May 10th – we will pick our top 5 & fans of the page can vote on their favorites… picture with the most fan votes wins!

5.  Winner will be announced on Monday, May 14th

6.  PRIZE…. a box of El Popo Tortillas, Matilda Chips & their newly-incorporated gourmet popcorn line Patti’s Popcorn, a delicious prize pack valued at over $100, will be delivered to your doorstep!  Allowing you & your family to have an authentic Produce Mom Fiesta & sample Chicago’s newest gourmet popcorn before it is even available for retail sales!

GRACIAS & GOOD LUCK!  GET YOUR FIESTA ON!!!!!

xoxo Produce Mom