Monterey, Ca. – International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) BB #:378962 welcomed produce suppliers, foodservice innovators, chefs, menu planners and more to the first Foodservice Conference as a part of the IFPA banner (41st in Monterey). With a record high of almost 2000 registered attendees, the Foodservice Conference illustrated that demand is strong for foodservice and produce connections.
“Foodservice and produce took over Monterey Bay and it was exciting to see and hear the energy and intention in every conversation I’ve had this week,” said IFPA CEO Cathy Burns. “The foodservice segment, while one of the most disrupted segments since the beginning of the pandemic, has also proven to be incredibly resilient, creative and innovative. This is exactly the energy we need because our industry is committed not just to coming back, but transforming the way we feed the world to create a vibrant future for all. This community is committed to getting more fruits and vegetables on plates and menus in every restaurant, school, hotel, hospital, stadium, and every other place food is served around the world.”
The conference kicked off on Thursday, with a number of small group experiences including the K-12 Foodservice Forum. With almost 100 K-12 professionals registered from some of the largest school districts in the country, Foodservice Forum attendees traveled to local farms to learn more about how the produce they serve kids around the U.S. is grown and processed. Additionally, suppliers were able to connect with their customers in Buyer Sourcing Meetings which let them meet potential new partners in a low-pressure environment followed by a networking lunch.
All of this before the General Session speaker, Robert Irvine, Food Network star, world class chef, and philanthropist led attendees with a lively discussion about changing the trajectory of how we eat. Thursday General Session Speakers Bruce Taylor, CEO of Taylor Farms; Michel Nischan, Founder & Chairman of Wholesome Wave; and Vincent Huynh, Culinary Director at Agricole Hospitality; also shared their personal insights on how they’re promoting produce from their place on the supply chain. The general session also featured recognition of the Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award winners who can be found here.
“From new audience segments to the new products on the show floor, the talk of Foodservice Conference was about new channels and opportunities,” said Lauren M. Scott, IFPA Chief Strategy Officer. “When we’re considering the role and responsibility that we have in foodservice, to expose people to new foods and flavors and to make produce irresistible to consumers, that commitment to growing our impact is key. Thank you to all who came and participated by sharing an idea, by meeting someone new, and overall, by sharing in the belief that the produce and foodservice industries can change the world – one menu, one dish, and one consumer at a time.”
Dubbed the best 5 ½ hours in produce, the Foodservice Conference Expo served as the perfect opportunity for foodservice operators and other buyers to meet with industry representatives with the best products, services and innovations. The buyer audience attended in full force, and with over 900 registered buyers from over 250 companies, the buyer to supplier ratio was of almost 1:1. Also on the Show Floor, IFPA recognized the winners of the Expo awards which included Best of Show Winner – Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Co; Best of Show Runner Up – Duda Farm Fresh Foods; and Best Product Promo winner – Rijk Zwaan for their new Red Vein Arugula. More details will be shared about the winners soon.
Closing the program was the networking reception and the Wine for a Cause Wine Auction benefiting Brighter Bites. Brighter Bites is celebrating their 10th birthday this year, and all proceeds from the wine auction will be used to fund Brighter Bites programming. Participants can join the wine auction virtually and do not need to be attending the Foodservice Conference to win or contribute. Bidding is open through July 30th at noon PST.
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 member’s prosperity by conducting advocacy; connecting people and ideas; and offering guidance that allows us all to take action with purpose and confidence. While IFPA is built on the legacy of United Fresh and Produce Marketing Association, it is not just a combination. It is transformational. Recognizing the industry required an even more powerful and unified voice, the leaders of the former United Fresh and Produce Marketing Association chose not to merge, but rather to create an entirely new organization to supersede their organizations, effective January 1, 2022.
