Purple tomatoes, more convenience products, an expansion of sustainable packaging options, the appearance of vertical farm booths, and discussing the recent acquisitions in the produce industry. It’s a small impression of what happened at the Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, California this past Friday and Saturday. It was the first time in four years the show returned to California. More than 1,160 companies exhibited, and the event brought attendees from more than 60 countries together. Traditionally, the Anaheim show is well attended as members from the produce industry like bringing their family members to spend time at Disneyland. While the event saw great attendance, the first day was for sure busier than the second day.
In general, exhibitors were happy about the retail participation. “It was great connecting with all our clients, and we also saw some new faces,” says Daniella Velazquez De Leon with banana company Organics Unlimited. “Lots of growers and fruit ripeners stopped by the booth and traffic was incredible,” comments Greg Akins with Catalytic Generators. The company’s booth was located in a spot where two halls connected. Some exhibitors in the machinery section of the show floor mentioned they didn’t see the visitor numbers they had hoped for.
Click here for the photo report of the show.
What’s new?
One thing that was evident this year is that the number of acquisitions in the produce industry continues and seems to be taking place across all commodities. As a result, some booths represented several companies that were exhibiting under one umbrella name.
Within the horticulture segment, there was a higher number of suppliers this year, driven by IFPA having installed a dedicated CEA council. For the first time, vertical farms also found their way to the show, including companies like Bowery Farming, Plenty, and 80 Acres Farms. They showed their lettuce products and had a remarkable amount of recently launched fresh salad kits on display. Within the greenhouse industry, new tomato, cucumber, and sweet pepper products were launched as well as a new greenhouse grown melon variety. Production of greenhouse grown strawberries continues to increase with an organic option now available as well.
More and more companies are offering sustainable packaging solutions as consumers increasingly feel the need to reduce single use plastic. At the same time, a lot of convenience products are packed for individual consumption, creating a higher need for packaging as well as generating waste. Punnets, card board boxes, but also recyclable mesh bags are entering the market. The labeling segment is developing labels that are home compostable and recyclable.
Probably one of the most notable new products seen at the show is a purple tomato. This genetically modified tomato was created by inserting snapdragon genes into tomato cell DNA. Purple tomatoes contain a higher level of antioxidants compared to traditional tomatoes and have a beautiful appearance on the plate. Will consumers decide to put them in their shopping carts?
Click here for the FreshPlaza photo report of the show.
Already looking forward to next year’s event? Mark your calendars as in 2024, IFPA’s Global Produce & Floral Show will be held in Atlanta, Georgia from October 17-19.
Click here for the photo reports of HortiDaily and FloralDaily.