WASHINGTON, DC & NEWARK, DE ­- Fresh produce folks are heading back to Monterey, California, next week as the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) prepares to kick off its Foodservice Conference. Ahead of the event, taking place July 28–29, Bruce Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of Taylor Farms and Chair of the IFPA Board, shared his outlook.

“Americans are hurtling toward a diet-induced disaster of obesity and chronic disease. Fresh fruits and vegetables are the solution,” said Taylor. “Currently, only one in 10 United States consumers enjoy the recommended amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables each day. The 2022 Foodservice Conference will be a key opportunity for fresh produce suppliers to interact with restaurant, hotel, school, health care, and workplace buyers; menu developers; and chefs from over 700 companies to discuss solutions to this complex challenge. Success will benefit everyone. If I had to identify a theme this year for the education, it would be 'new channels of opportunity.'”

Taylor will be a featured panelist in the Monterey Bay Live! Session, which will be hosted by award-winning author and television host Leslie Sbrocco. The session will also feature guests Michel Nischan and Vincent Huynh. Each of these speakers and their companies are dedicated to reinventing the way we see produce, removing barriers between consumers and fruits and vegetables, a press release stated.

“IFPA and its Foundation for Fresh Produce believes in produce without barriers because barriers to produce are also barriers to wellness, nutritional security, and a vibrant life,” said Taylor. “While some of these barriers are self-imposed and can be addressed with marketing that truly taps into the drivers that motivate eating, many barriers require more than messaging. In addition to speakers and suppliers who will share their innovative solutions for increasing access and preference for produce, we will also welcome a contingent of K–12 foodservice professionals and IFPA partner Brighter Bites.”

With the addition of the K–12 Foodservice Forum, this year’s conference welcomes local and national participants from some of the largest school districts in the country. Research has found building healthy habits at young ages contributes to healthy eating later in life, which is reinforced in Brighter Bites’ program evaluation. The press release stated that the Conference will culminate in a closing reception and “Wine for a Cause” auction benefiting Brighter Bites.

To register for the event, please click here.

Keep an eye out for the ANUK team on the show floor!

International Fresh Produce Association