ATLANTA, GA - Amid highly anticipated sporting events, musical talent, and a political race, the Global Produce and Floral Summit (GPFS) brought the fresh world to Atlanta, Georgia, in a whirlwind of activity, education, innovation, and entertainment.

By the numbers, over 1,100 exhibitors from 32 countries, with 130-plus companies exhibiting for the first time. In total, over 3,000 buyers and attendees from over 70 countries crossed paths walking the halls of the convention center.

“The Global Show is one of the greatest good-for-my-soul moments of the year,” International Fresh Produce Association Chief Executive Officer Cathy Burns said in a press release.

The show floor was one of the biggest in years at 331,000 square feet—a fact that made the GPFS app and its ability to get directions from booth to booth particularly invaluable! The sheer size was reflected even in the annual Foundation for Fresh Produce 5K. With more than 830 runners, GPFS clocked a record number of runners for a Foundation event before the official expo even began.

“This year delivered. There was an incredible mix of innovation and energy that carried through the entire program as the global industry came together once again to celebrate our positive impact on people, plates, and the planet,” Cathy stated.

When not on the floor making or sustaining connections, there was an active itinerary of sessions, awards, and opportunities. The IFPA CEO led off with her annual State of the Industry presentation discussing upcoming trends, sustainability, and advocacy wins for the industry, including IFPA’s newly granted observer status to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 

Attendees also heard from 2024 Chair John Anderson, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Managing Partner for Oppy, who celebrated the close of a successful year before passing the baton to 2025 Chair Tammy DeBoer, President of Harris Teeter.

Speakers from within and outside the industry continued to grace the GPFS 2024 stage, including Rodney McMullen, Kroger's Chief Executive Officer, who spoke to staying inspired after 46 years, areas of opportunity, and the importance of partnership in keeping supply flowing continuously.

The industry also heard from Netflix Founder Marc Randolph, political expert, A.B. Stoddard, and finally, to a full-house audience at the increasingly popular Women's Fresh Perspectives Breakfast, Founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First, Reshma Saujani.

Before Saujani took the stage, Raina Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Westfalia Fruit USA and previous recipient of the Frieda Rapoport Caplan Women’s Catalyst Award, had the opportunity to introduce and award and honor this year's recipient, Brenda Briggs, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Rice Fruit Company.

“The Global Produce and Floral Show’s theme ‘You Belong Here’ truly resonated at the Women’s Fresh Perspectives breakfast! It was an inclusive event for all that celebrated women empowering women. It was an honor to present the 2024 recipient of the Freida Rapoport Caplan Women’s Catalyst award winner, Brenda Briggs. It is an event that always inspires, and I encourage everyone to attend at future GPFS events,” Raina reflected.

Another highlight was the reception and presentation of awards to those making waves in retail.

“It was a real honor to receive the IFPA Retail Merchant Innovation Award. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team at Roberts Company (Corner Market and Grocery Depot.) We’re committed to driving innovation and finding new ways to enhance the customer experience. I'm excited about what the future holds and grateful to be recognized alongside such talented industry leaders!” Price Mabry shared with me of being among the recipients.

Recognition continued through the last show day when Expo Awards were announced—congratulations to all of the following! 

• Best First-Time Exhibitor: Little Leaf Farms
• Best Island Booth, Business Solutions: MSC – Mediterranean Shipping Company
• Best Inline Booth, Business Solutions: Sollum Technologies

• Best Island Booth, Produce: Alpine Fresh/Hippie Organics

• Best Inline Booth, Produce: 80 Acres Farm

• Best Island Booth, Complementary Items: Litehouse Inc.

• Best Inline Booth, Complementary Items: Sun Lovin Foods


Additionally, more than 210 Fresh Ideas Showcase displays spotlighted new and innovative products. Among them, Bolthouse Fresh Foods’ Home Compostable Bag won Best Sustainable Packaging and Pure Flavor's Amora Mini Melons took home Best Product Promo. To see even more awardees and further details, click here.

“The IFPA team greatly appreciated the investment of our guests, exhibitors, sponsors, volunteer leaders, and partners in Atlanta. We will see you all in Anaheim in 2025,” Cathy concluded.

With the bar continuing to rise, next year's show is certainly one to anticipate. But for now, with much to bring home and digest, our industry will have plenty to buzz about until then!

CORAL GABLES, FL - Join us as we venture into an exploration of the impressive progress Fresh Del Monte Produce has made through its strategic sustainability efforts. The global producer, marketer, and distributor has released its 2023 Sustainability Report, announcing its achievement of SBTi-approved Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal well before the 2030 target.

“With the release of our 2023 Sustainability Report, we are reminded of the immense responsibility we carry as stewards of the environment,” said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Fresh Del Monte’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “As an agricultural leader, we recognize our profound influence on shaping our planet’s future. By embracing our role and working in harmony with nature, we believe we can unlock its full potential, laying the groundwork for a sustainable future that benefits all. This is the focus of our efforts—innovating with purpose, collaborating with partners, and creating a lasting legacy of sustainability that will protect and preserve our natural world for generations to come.”

Demonstrating progress toward the company’s long-term environmental and social goals, Fresh Del Monte’s 2023 Sustainability Report highlighted achievements across a variety of categories. This includes:

• Climate: The supplier achieved a 28 percent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, surpassing its SBTi target by 2023, well ahead of its 2030 goal timeline
• Biodiversity: Completion of ecosystem mapping in Guatemala and Costa Rica, with plans to expand to other farms in 2024. The company has also planted 2,487,847 trees since 2016, reaching 99.5 percent of its goal to plant 2.5 million trees by 2025
• Diversity: 69 percent of U.S. employees are from diverse backgrounds, underscoring the company's commitment to inclusion
• Health and Community: Fresh Del Monte delivered healthy, nutritious produce to millions while providing health services to hundreds of local workers and communities in growing regions
• Packaging: Reusable plastic containers (RPCs) were introduced for banana shipments in North America, obviating the use of 758 tons of single-use paper and more than 5 tons of plastic

In addition to these achievements, Fresh Del Monte continues to lead with innovative practices in regenerative agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and waste revalorization, the press release explained.

“I am proud of our team for leading by example—large-scale farmers like us need to start showing scalable transformations,” said Hans Sauter, Chief Sustainability Officer, Senior Vice President, R&D and Agricultural Services at Fresh Del Monte. “Addressing a warming climate is no longer optional, but an urgent task. Fresh Del Monte remains dedicated to its mission of taking proactive action and working towards a Brighter World Tomorrow®. Sustainability only continues to gain traction throughout our company, and I am thrilled to see both our progress and the work that lies ahead of us.”

To dig further into the recently released report, click here.

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SOLEDAD, CA - Earlier this month, leaders from Braga Fresh and Farm Journal Foundation converged with United States Congressman Jimmy Panetta to discuss the importance of ag research and development, highlighting the ways it can benefit global food and nutrition security. While touring Braga Fresh’s farming operations in Soledad, California, Panetta engaged in discussions about how support for public agricultural research and innovation can benefit farmers both in the U.S. and overseas.

“Agricultural research being conducted here in the U.S. benefits American farmers, as well as farmers in developing countries where hunger and malnutrition are unfortunately rising,” said Colby Pereira, Chief Operating Officer at Braga Fresh and Farmer Ambassador with Farm Journal Foundation. “Farmers all over the world are coping with high input costs and increasingly difficult weather and market conditions. We need to be able to access the latest innovations, to ensure that we can be profitable and build sustainable livelihoods and continue to produce enough food to meet rising global demand.”

The insightful event included a visit to Braga Fresh’s on-farm regenerative agriculture trials, as well as demonstrations on how the farm uses agricultural technology and a discussion on the importance of protecting soil health.

As Congress works to craft final appropriations bills and the next Farm Bill, discussions about public support for agricultural development and innovation are particularly important, Braga Fresh shared in a press release.

“From Mother Nature to mandates, markets, and manpower, farmers in California’s 19^th Congressional District and around the country continue to face an increasingly complex set of challenges,” said Panetta. “Expanding agricultural research and innovation is essential to ensuring American farmers lead the global marketplace and drive our efforts to feed the world. I’m proud that our home remains a leader in ag innovation, and I will continue to push for my bipartisan federal legislation to accelerate the development of agricultural breakthroughs so that we can help our local farmers and ranchers continue to succeed.”

While public funding for agricultural research has been declining over the past 20 years, data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture revealed that ag research has one of the highest returns of any public investment, returning on average $20 in benefits for every $1 invested.

“Investments in agricultural development and research programs are investments in the future,” said Rose Barbuto, Senior Policy Adviser at Farm Journal Foundation. “Support for farmers is critical to ensure they can continue to grow enough food to feed themselves, their families, and their communities, whether here in the U.S. or abroad. Innovations developed in the U.S. can go a long way in delivering solutions to some of farmers’ biggest challenges, benefitting both American farmers and smallholder farmers in developing countries where hunger and malnutrition unfortunately remain significant challenges.”

To read more about this recent meeting, click here, and keep reading ANUK for industry insights.

LEAMINGTON, ONTARIO, CANADA - As its mission to increase consumption in the category continues, Highline Mushrooms has exciting news to share. The company is partnering with Christiaens Group to build its latest state-of-the-art facility.

“As we strive to lead with technology, the future of mushrooms excites me,” commented Jose Cambon, Chief Executive Officer, Highline Mushrooms. “We are connecting Highline’s people and innovation with Christiaens global leading technology to be at the forefront of the industry.”

Located in Leamington, Ontario, the new fully organic mushroom farm will service partners in both Canada and the United States. As a company release expressed, this will be the largest farm investment ever made by Highline Mushrooms.

Already an expert in controlled growing environment techniques, this long-term investment builds upon Highline Mushrooms’ current growing system that relies on data-driven decisions, strong partnerships, and a future-proof mindset.

“We look forward to bringing this state-of-the-art mushroom facility for Highline Mushrooms to life. This future-proof system will give lots of possibilities to bring mushroom farming to the next level,” shared Roland van Doremaele, Christiaens Engineering and Development BV, Manager Sales Department.

Highline Mushrooms noted that the evolution of its ag business to an agri-tech platform will bring mushrooms to market under the Highline brand at the end of 2025.

Keep reading AndNowUKnow for the latest updates across fresh.

SALINAS, CA - In an industry built by connections, it’s important to have a strong network of leaders guiding your business. Church Brothers Farms recently added Tracy Carranza to its executive roster, naming her Vice President of Retail Sales. With over a decade of experience under her belt, she will be responsible for the growth and strategic direction of Church Brothers Farms’ retail channel.

In this new role, her primary focus will be on value-added products. She will also manage the retail sales team, drive new product innovation, and build relationships with key retailers and suppliers.

Before joining the team at Church Brothers Farms, Carranza spent 10 years as a member of the sales team at Taylor Farms Retail. According to a press release, she has a proven track record of building strategic partnerships with top retailers.

With a deep understanding of retail channels, Carranza is adept at using market insights to create customer-forward solutions.

“Bringing on Tracy as our new VP of Retail Sales was not just about filling a position; it was about finding someone with passion, vision, and experience who can drive growth through innovative strategies and strong partnerships,” added Jeff Church, Chief Operating Officer. “From our first meeting with her, Tracy showed that she understands the nuances of the market, [and] what retail customers are looking for, and can inspire our team to reach new heights. We’re really excited to have her on board.”

As the release went on to note, the addition of Carranza to the team underscores the company’s overarching focus on expanding its retail channels through dedicated leadership and strategic expertise.

Congratulations to Tracy Carranza on this new role!