<p><strong>Pleasanton, CA</strong><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The Fresh Produce and Floral Council kicked off its Northern California Expo at the Alameda County Fairgrounds yesterday with a host of exhibitors, retailers, and industry professionals. Sponsors of the event included Earthbound Farm Organic, Grimmway Farms, Timco Worldwide, Litehouse, Advantage Sales and Marketing, CDS Distributing Incorporated, Enza, Oppenheimer, California Sun Dry, and North Shore Sales and Marketing.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> "We have everything from VP's of perishables on down to store clerks, because that is what this show is about. Its about getting everyone in the area familiar with the products that they sell everyday. We are thrilled with such a big turn out. Every year it has continued to grow," Carissa Mace, President of the Fresh Produce and Floral Council, tells And Now U Know. "We like to say that the education is on the show floor for the retailers. They really learn about the products and what is new."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The expo floor was painted with colorful displays as well as personalities like Chef Todd Fisher and his parade of fresh produce, spices and ingredients like Red Walnuts, Christopher Ranch Garlic, and Gills Onions. Other exhibitors present to share their wares were Taylor Farms, Giumarra Companies, Hollandia Produce, Duda Farm Fresh Foods and Naturipe Farms.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Ms. Mace reflects that the event was sold out way back in January, with some 158 booths and over 200 companies represented. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>www.fpfc.org</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
