More than 1,000 foodservice buyers attend The Foodservice Conference to find new products, menu ideas, and business solutions. They are operators (commercial and noncommercial, including educators, especially K-12), distributors, chefs and menu developers, travel/tourism, and more.
The IFPA conference, July 25-26 in Monterey, California, has a 1-to-1 buyer-supplier ratio and brings together the produce and foodservice industries to advance the use of fresh produce in the culinary arts.
"The Foodservice Conference is the premier event for our industry and the gathering place to 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 the current and future happenings in the industry."
Buyers attending the 2024 conference include:
- Baldor
- CAVA
- Cornell University
- Darden Restaurants
- Detroit Public Schools
- FreshEdge
- Fresno Unified School District
- HelloFresh
- Houston Independent School District
- Jason's Deli
- Panda Restaurant Group
- PRO*ACT
- Produce Alliance
- Restaurant Supply Chain Solutions
- Seattle Public Schools
- Sodexo North America
- Sysco
- The Chefs' Warehouse
- UC Santa Barbara
- University of Massachusetts, Amherst
- US Foods
"As a supplier and an exhibitor, I use this conference as one of my most important marketing opportunities," said Lindsay Martinez of Calavo. "Nowhere 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."
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 that will make them avid consumers for life.
"As the largest 'restaurant' in town, school districts are looking for the same thing other operators are," said Bertrand Weber at Minneapolis Public Schools. "It's important to connect in person with growers, to visit produce fields and see these operations first-hand, and to engage in conversations with our distribution partners as well. Our students and communities count on us to offer delicious, nutritious fresh fruits and veggies, and this conference has become an important learning opportunity for us."
"When we come to this conference, we accomplish a lot in just a couple of days," said Chris Woodring of The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc. "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."
Anyone interested in the conference can find the event details, schedule, exhibitor list, and more on IFPA's website.
For more information:
Ashley Sempowski
International Fresh Produce Association
[email protected]
https://www.freshproduce.com/