Last month, the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) brought together a diverse crowd of foodservice professionals in Monterey, California for the 43rd year. The yearly event, which brought together over 2220 attendees, included produce suppliers, menu innovators, K-12 professionals, and more. With almost 1000 buyers and menu influencers in attendance, the Foodservice Conference is a key place to work on getting more produce on the plate in restaurants, schools, hotels, hospitals, stadiums, and more.
"It was an incredible two days for this year's Foodservice Conference," said IFPA CEO, Cathy Burns. "While the program featured valuable insights on how to grow fresh produce consumption throughout foodservice channels and identified more opportunities for women to shape the future of foodservice, we also celebrated the chefs and K-12 professionals who consistently develop creative options for fruits and vegetables in schools and restaurants."
The K-12 Foodservice Forum attracted not only more than 100 school menu planners and chefs for the event but also the newly appointed Deputy Under Secretary for Food and Nutrition Service at the USDA, Cindy Long. Long, who spoke with the forum participants on Friday morning, explained the importance of the work of these professionals who serve tens of thousands of meals to children every day.
The show had almost 1000 buyers and menu influencers in attendance.
After a day and a half of education sessions focusing on leveraging data to transform your business, maximizing menus, and celebrating chefs and women in the industry, the Expo opened on Friday. The Foodservice Expo is described as the best 5 and ½ hours in produce for foodservice with an almost 1:1 buyer-to-supplier ratio. The show featured new flavors and menu ideas that attendees could taste in person and also featured the largest-ever Fresh Ideas Showcase with 32 entries.
"The Expo year-after-year is the showcase for innovation and inspired fresh produce products that meet the ever-changing culinary needs of restaurants and evolving consumer demands," said Burns. "A heartfelt thank you to our guests, exhibitors, sponsors, our volunteer leaders on the Foodservice Council, the K-12 and chef communities, and IFPA staff for continuing to raise the bar on this Conference every time we meet in Monterey."
IFPA recognized this kind of innovation on the floor with the annual Expo Awards which included Best of Show Winner – J. Marchini Farms – Joe's Premium; Best of Show Runner Up – Avocados From Mexico; Best Product Promo winner – Wild About Sprouts for their Alfalfa Broccoli and Kale Sprout Line; and Chef's Choice Winner – Mission Produce for their Mango Panna Cotta. More details will be shared about the winners soon.
Those who attended Foodservice Conference 2024 can share photos and highlights on social with the tag #FSC2024. Photos are available now and will be added to in the coming days.
For more information:
Ashley Sempowski
International Fresh Produce Association
[email protected]
https://www.freshproduce.com/