Francis “Frank” Biddle, founder of Francis Biddle International (FBI Flowers) and co-founder of Tradewinds International, died June 27. He was 60.
Established in 1995, Tradewinds International facilitates direct farm buying and logistics from Colombia and Ecuador — and changed the way imported flowers made it to market.
“Frank enjoyed meeting people all over the world and constantly saw opportunities to connect people for mutual benefit,” says SAF Past President Chris Drummond, AAF, PFCI.
When Biddle found a grower with an abundant crop, he would connect them with a wholesaler who could sell it, Drummond says. When a retailer had trouble finding a certain variety, Frank was quick to hunt it down for them.
“I’m sure this was how Tradewinds was born. Frank saw a need to connect farms to buyers, and he was that conduit,” he says. “He was genuinely concerned about the sustainable success of buyers and sellers and put together deals that were always a win-win.”
Biddle’s floral industry career started when he co-founded Dos Gringos, which sourced flowers from Mexico. Two years before founding Tradewinds, in 1995, he had established FBI Flowers, which produces flowers, foliage and avocados on 170 acres in San Diego County.
A memorial tribute has been established through the American Floral Endowment to honor his leadership and dedication to the industry. Read more about Biddle’s contributions to the industry and how to contribute to the tribute here.
Biddle is survived by his wife, Jennifer Biddle, and their sons Joseph Biddle and George Biddle. Jennifer and George will carry on operations — and Frank’s legacy of innovation — at FBI Flowers and Tradewinds.
A celebration of life will be held July 20 at 11 a.m. at The Flower Field in Carlsbad. RSVP at rsvp@fbiflowers.com.
