MONTEREY, CA - Over 1,000 buyers from the top foodservice organizations take to the International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) annual Foodservice Conference to uncover the latest products, business solutions, and menu inspiration. This year is no different, as buyers are already gearing up for the upcoming conference in Monterey, California, taking place July 25–26. With a 1 to 1 buyer-supplier ratio, the conference opens the door to a host of opportunities in foodservice.

“The Foodservice Conference is the premier event for our industry and the gathering place to connect and experience all that the fresh produce world has to offer. Meeting existing and potential partners, and sampling some of the innovative dishes at the expo is only one part of the experience,” said Chip Walker IFPA board member and Foodservice Committee Chair, “Our customers and partners count on this event to stay up to speed with all of the current and future happenings in the industry. Whether you are a grower, distributor, an operator, or somewhere in between the event has something for everyone!”

As a press release detailed, the conference connects suppliers with chefs, operators, distributors, and a strong contingent of K-12 school foodservice professionals who are shaping students’ preferences and tastes for fresh produce.

Some of this year’s attendees include:

• Baldor
• Darden Restaurants
• FreshEdge
• HelloFresh
• Jason’s Deli
• Panda Restaurant Group
• PRO*ACT
• Sodexo North America
• Sysco
• The Chefs’ Warehouse
• US Foods

“When we come to this conference, we accomplish a lot in just a couple of days,” said Chris Woodring of The Chefs’ Warehouse. “I personally, and we collectively, gain insights from the speakers, network with suppliers and peers, and taste the best dishes at the expo. We take home ideas and solutions that move The Chefs’ Warehouse forward.”

The event also creates momentum for growth on the supply-side.

“As a supplier and an exhibitor, I use this conference as one of my most important marketing opportunities,” said Lindsay Martinez of Calavo. “No where else can I find these decision-makers who are looking for new products, services, and ideas. It’s not only a great way to maximize my travel and marketing investment—it’s a lot of fun.”

More event details, including a schedule and exhibitor list, can be found here.

Keep reading ANUK for more event coverage!

SCHENECTADY, NY - Last week, Price Chopper opened the doors of four new stores in New York. The contemporary, food-focused Market 32 stores opened in the city of Albany and the towns of Colonie, Niskayuna, and North Greenbush.

“This is a momentous day for our company. In the more than 90 years we’ve been serving our customers and communities, we’ve never opened four stores simultaneously,” said Blaine Bringhurst, Price Chopper/Market 32 President. “Doing it here—in the Capital Region where we started—makes it even more special. These locations will feature the newest and very best of what we have to offer, which is the exceptional shopping experience and high-quality products and service our customers have come to expect.”

In a company first, the stores opened to the public simultaneously at 8:00 a.m., with events and ribbon-cutting ceremonies at each location. The Niskayuna store also will host a “Home Run Celebration,” featuring complimentary food items, beverages, and live music, Spotlight News reported.

On June 14 and 15, Price Chopper/Market 32 donated 5 percent of sales from the respective locations to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY, and the following youth sports programs in each of the stores’ neighboring communities: Westland Hills Baseball and Softball, Colonie Little League, Niskayuna Baseball League, and Southern Rensselaer County Baseball Association at East Greenbush.

The new stores are at the site of former ShopRite locations, where Price Chopper/Market 32 acquired the leases and fixtures deal last fall.

Keep up with ANUK for more retail news like this.

YAKIMA, WA - The last week of May marked the 2024 annual general meeting for the Associated International Group of Nurseries (AIGN®). The 12 members of the organization gathered in France for a week-long agenda themed, “Moving ahead during difficult times.” The event served as a catalyst for critical discussions on how the 36-year-strong organization can further evolve while navigating industry challenges.

“The consequences of climate change on fruit growing are just beginning to unfold,” stated Gavin Porter, Chief Executive Officer. “AIGN recognizes the urgency to help orchardists address these challenges by seeking out and supporting the development of new rootstocks and fruit varieties with greater tolerance to warmer growing areas and being prepared to commercialize them when the tide of the economic downturn changes.”

Along with several pre-meeting activities and events in Paris, arranged by host company Star Fruits, the event featured an educational segment for the directors with a day devoted to a site visit to SICASOV, where AIGN®’s members learned about their work with Global Gap, and how they ensure fruits are legal from an IP perspective. This insightful segment was followed by a presentation from representatives of Naktuinbouw, the high health facility in the Netherlands and their affiliated organizations. In recent years, AIGN® has come to rely on Naktuinbouw to clean and certify plant materials due to their efficiency and exceptional communication practices, a press release explained.

The next meeting will be held in spring 2025 in Santiago, Chile, hosted by AIGN member Viveros Requinoa, LTDA. To read more about the recent meeting, click here.

Stick around as ANUK continues to report on the latest industry news.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - A new Chairman of the Board of Directors has been named by AgroFresh Solutions. The company appointed an industry veteran, naming Lipman Family Farms’ Kent Shoemaker to the role.

“My journey to this role has been marked by a deep respect for agriculture and a passion for fostering sustainable practices,” stated Shoemaker. “It is an honor to be associated with such a highly regarded leader in the area of produce sustainability.”

Until his retirement in 2023, Shoemaker served as Chief Executive Officer of Lipman Family Farms for nearly 14 years. The Immokalee, Florida-based company provides year-round fresh produce through an integrated network of research and development, farming, processing, and packing.

Prior to Lipman, Shoemaker spent 26 years at FreshPoint, according to a press release, the final 10 years as Chief Operating Officer. Shoemaker was part of the leadership team whose expansion efforts resulted in the sale of FreshPoint to Sysco Corporation.

“As we continue to expand our products and services for additional crops, we remain committed to helping our customers meet their post-harvest challenges at every step in the fresh produce supply chain,” said Clint Lewis, CEO of AgroFresh. “We are excited to welcome a leader like Kent who has walked in our customers’ shoes and has been a successful business leader with direct experiences in produce production and managing risk along the supply chain as produce travels from harvest to home.”

As the newest independent director, Shoemaker replaces Brian Kocher as Chairman of the Board, who has recently transitioned off the Board to take on the role of CEO for SunOpta.

“Kent’s experience will be invaluable to us as AgroFresh continues its transformation to expand its pathways for growth, having recently completed the acquisitions of both Tessara and Pace International,” added Lewis.

Congratulations to the new Chairman!

JAPAN - Healthy eating is the focus of Zespri’s new global campaign, which has just launched in Japan with the support of the Japan Dietetic Association, Japan’s largest fruit and vegetable wholesaler Tokyo Seika, and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

“Since 2020, Zespri has supported 26 healthy lifestyle programs in over nine countries, including nutrition education programs in schools and working alongside our partners to reach more than one million children, but we want to do more,” shared Zespri Chief Executive Officer Dan Mathieson. “While many people know what constitutes a healthy diet—including eating fresh fruit daily, most people do not meet recommended intake levels. The shortfall between the recommended and the actual consumption of fruits and vegetables is directly associated with increased mortality and non-communicable diseases, affecting the well-being of people and societies. The challenge lies in promoting these healthy, sustainable eating habits. We want to help fix that, supporting people to live healthier lives.”

The campaign focuses on improving global health outcomes by encouraging consumers to swap out one unhealthy food for a serving of fresh fruit or vegetables every day.

The campaign has been launched in Japan which, according to a press release, has some of the lowest consumption of fresh fruit globally. Broadening its impact, the campaign will be introduced to major Zespri markets through a series of impactful initiatives designed to promote fruit consumption.

“In Japan, one of Zespri’s largest markets, one in three adults suffer from malnutrition. We’re proud to be launching the Nutrition Reform Project in Japan and starting a movement to reform nutrition so no one is left behind. It’s fantastic to have the support of the Japan Dietetic Association as part of our mission to help people to eat well,” Mathieson added.

Overall, the campaign aims to encourage people to eat better to tackle the health challenges associated with malnutrition.

“Kiwifruit is one of the most nutrient-dense fruits, and as a brand associated with health, we want to help fix that, supporting people to live healthier lives,” added Chief Marketing, Innovation, and Sustainability Officer Jiunn Shih. “We’re committed to fostering lifelong, healthy eating habits so people can live happy, healthy lives, whether they’re young or old. This campaign is another step toward that.”

Read more about this new campaign here.

As we see more strategies to fuel produce consumption, ANUK will report on the latest.

NOGALES, AZ - Starting next month, Divine Flavor will expand its offerings of table grapes from California for the first time. In a joint venture with Niabell Farms, the expansion into Bakersfield, California, will bridge the gap between the end of the Mexican season and the start of South American imports.

“Thanks to this joint venture with Naibell Farms, Divine Flavor has found a formal solution of becoming a true year-round supplier in the table grape category,” says Divine Flavor’s Senior Vice President of Sales, Carlos Bon. “We have a footprint in the early, mid, and late parts of California with 100 percent proprietary varieties, focusing on the best flavor and the newer generation of table grapes.”

Divine Flavor currently produces grapes at vineyards of Grupo Alta based in Jalisco and Sonora, Mexico, which harvests from April to July. The company also has strategic grape-growing partnerships throughout Peru, Chile, and South Africa, which supply the brand from November to April/May. According to a press release, this will be the company’s first branded grape supply from the United States.

“With our decision to grow grapes in California and partner with Niabell Farms, there is a shared vision to mirror the success seen in our vineyards across Mexico, Peru, and Chile, ensuring our customers can expect exceptional grape varieties throughout the entire year,” says Bon. “This strategic plan demonstrates Divine Flavor's dedication to delivering top-quality grapes and maintaining strong relationships with our valued customers not only during our traditional seasons but on a year-round basis. We want to continue providing them with flavor and service.”

Jon Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer of Niabell Farms, also commented.

“We are ecstatic to begin this business partnership with who we believe is a key player in the table grape category,” says Williams. “We know how important flavor and great eating grapes are to this industry and we are happy to be the partners who will help Divine Flavor continue supplying their customers with the best proprietary varieties the industry has to offer.”

Niabell Farms will begin packing for the Divine Flavor brand starting mid-July as the Sonora, Mexico, season concludes. Despite the tough beginning, Mexican table grapes are now positioning themselves favorably as the Sonora grape deal moves into the mid to late weeks of June.

For more updates like this, keep reading ANUK.

SANTA CLARITA, CA - Vallarta Supermarkets is strengthening its presence in the Southern California market. The retailer recently announced the opening of its new headquarters in Santa Clarita, designed to support Vallarta's commitment to innovation, collaboration, and community engagement.

According to an announcement from the company, the new office spans 51,350 square feet, includes a double-height lobby reception space, and has three floors of office space. It features 78 offices, 166 workstations, collaboration and focus spaces, eight conference rooms, six focus booths, open lounge spaces, and communal gathering tables throughout the office space.

Some of the new headquarters’ features include:

• Home Kitchen-Inspired Breakroom
• Test Kitchen
• Executive Suite
• Sustainability Initiatives
• Energy Efficiency
• Water Conservation

The office design was led by HGA with contributions from Agency Artifact, Simon S. Wong & Associates, Ricca Design Studios, and Graves Construction. It evokes the feel of a beach resort through soft colors, natural materials, and living plants.

At the grand opening celebration, Vallarta Supermarkets provided donation checks to Santa Clarita Food Pantry and Santa Clarita Grocery.

Cheers to the new headquarters!

FARMINGDALE, NY - Bushwick Commission continues to support its local community, this time by recently concluding a promotion to benefit the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia.

"We are deeply committed to supporting the communities we serve," said Ken Gray, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “By engaging shoppers, we not only promote locally grown produce but also support the essential pediatric care and wellness services provided by King’s Daughters.”

According to a press release, the supplier’s Virginia Grown program was promoted on KwikLok packaging, inviting shoppers to learn more about both the farm and family behind the potatoes.

Dublin Farms is a family-owned business with a history dating back to 1876. They provided the potatoes featured in this promotion.

In addition to supporting its community, Bushwick Commission is able to support its retail partners as well. Buyers can expect a robust assortment of Russet, red, white, and yellow potatoes, including Maine’s very own Caribou Russet, in the coming weeks.

Stick with AndNowUKnow as we continue to plumb the depths of industry updates.