Heading South with #TeamFreshSummit!

I am honored to be part of #TeamFreshSummit attending the Produce Marketing Association’s annual Fresh Summit Conference. Last year it was in Anaheim and this year we are heading to Atlanta, one of my favorite cities! Right now I am laying out clothes and organizing information I will need for my trip tomorrow. By the time you read this I will be in the air and on my way!

The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) connects companies from every segment of the global fresh produce and floral supply industries. The Fresh Summit conference brings them all together under one roof in an impressive rainbow of colors. Imagine walking into the most beautiful flower shop or produce department of the grocery store, but it is so big it fills an entire conference hall floor. It is a dazzling display that I can’t wait to see!

With an anticipated 18,500 attendees and over 1000 exhibitors, it is going to be a wild ride. I am excited to share my behind-the-scenes experiences with you – follow hashtag #TeamFreshSummit to see all the posts from me and the rest of the team.This is the third consecutive year that Casey Benedict of KitchenPLAY has put together a team of bloggers to act as advocates for the produce industry and interactive ambassadors for our sponsors. We are lucky to be working with Sun-Maid, Valley Fig Growers, HBF International, and Outrageously Fresh! Wonderful products and fantastic teams to work with make it easy to have fun covering the event.

 

Sun-Maid 

Founded in 1912, Sun-Maid Growers of California is the world’s largest producer of raisins and other premium quality dried fruits, including prunes, apricots, cranberries, cherries, figs, dates, and yogurt raisins.  For 100 years, Sun-Maid raisins have been one of the most accepted consumer packages in households worldwide and the “red box” has always had just one ingredient:  California Seedless Raisins.  Sun-Maid products provide everything the 21st century consumer is looking for:  nutrition, quality, convenience, taste, value, and trust.

 

Valley Fig Growers 

Valley Fig Growers is a grower-owned cooperative located in Fresno, California. All of the commercially sold dried figs produced in the United States are grown in the Fresno area and north, in the fertile San Joaquin Valley. California represents 10% of the world production of dried figs. Valley Fig Growers was established in 1959 and is the largest handler of figs in North America. The cooperative represents 40% of the California fig industry and markets its products worldwide. Retail products are sold under Valley Fig Growers own brand names of Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice, Sun-Maid, Orchard Choice, and Blue Ribbon.

 

HBF International 

HBF International offers a wider selection of fresh berries under the Hurst’s Berry Farm brand than any other major berry shipper. From blackberries, kiwi-berries, and currants, to cranberries and blueberries. Buyers throughout the world recognize HBF as the year-round source for fresh berries. HBF International’s mission statement of “Leadership, loyalty and excellence in berries from farm to market” is both a long-term vision and a daily practice that guides how we partner with growers and market their fresh berries throughout the world.

 

Outrageously Fresh 

The Outrageously Fresh – Greenest Greenhouse growers of SunSelect and Divemex represent Oppy’s diversified, year-round greenhouse program. Over 900 acres in Canada, USA and Mexico including Organic, Fair Trade certified, Non-GMO, Sustainable and Carbon Capture growing, set us apart. Core products include: Sweet Bell/Mini Peppers; TOV, Grape/Cherry/Gourmet Snack Mix, and Cocktail tomatoes; Long English/Mini Cucumbers. Look for our Outrageously Fresh, unique and exclusive new Snack Jar packaging.

Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit 

Produce. Floral. Business. Tech. It all comes together at Fresh Summit. Get ready for the most important event of the year for the fresh industry. Connect with more than 18,500 attendees and 1,000+ exhibitors from over 60 countries. Meet with experts, leaders and decision makers from every link of the supply chain. And see how today’s bright ideas are reshaping tomorrow’s produce and floral landscape. Don’t miss the future of fresh.

 

Take a look at this year’s incredible talent behind Team Fresh Summit:

• Adriana Martin of Adriana’s Best Recipes 
• Becky Winkler of A Calculated Whisk 
• Carole Murko of Heirloom Meals
• Emily Paster of  West of the Loop
• Heather McCurdy of Real: The Kitchen and Beyond
• Linda Tambunan of Brunch with Joy 
• Linda Walbridge of The Orange Bee 
• Marly McMillen of Namely Marly 
• Sara LaFontain of Cook with 5 Kids 
• Susan Palmer of Girl in the Little Red Kitchen 

… and our fearless leader

• Casey Benedict of KitchenPLAY 

Make sure you follow #TeamFreshSummit to share our adventures in Atlanta. It is bound to be an eye-opening experience for all of us and I’m looking forward to discovering new companies, products, and learning about all aspects of the produce and floral industries!

 

 

Disclosure: Our passes to Fresh Summit were provided by PMA. Additional compensation was provided by our sponsors Sun-Maid, Valley Fig Growers, HBF International, and Outrageously Fresh. Thank you to all for making this trip possible. As always, my opinions are wholly my own. 

 

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