ANAHEIM, CA - This year, April 27 was not your typical Thursday. In fact, it was host to the Fresh Produce & Floral Council’s (FPFC) 2023 FPFC Expo, Cultivating a Healthy Future. With over 1,100 registrants, the crowded show floor included more than 400 reps from the retail produce and floral community.

The Keynote Breakfast, which included the presentation of the Floral Achievement Award to Erin Caird of Por La Mar Nursery, was followed by the presentation of the Norman H. “Buz” Bolstad Award presented to Marvin Quebec of Quebec Distributing Co.

Later, Todd Linsky led a retail panel with Daniel Bell of Grocery Outlet, Jacob Cadwallader of Stater Bros. Markets, and Jon Holder of Superior Grocers. The panel discussed SB1383, which is designed to reduce greenhouse gasses and address food insecurity in California. A press release explained that the law will require statewide that 20 percent of edible food that would otherwise be disposed of in the garage or compost be recovered for human consumption by 2025. Linsky also asked the panelists, “How has being a mentor and mentoring changed your life?”

Sarah Thomas took the stage next. She shared her inspirational story of how she came to be the NFL’s First Female Official and the struggles she faced getting there. The presentation was followed by photos with Thomas in the Idaho Potato Commission booth, and afterward, she walked the show floor and stopped by a few exhibitor booths.

As they do every year, exhibitors donated their leftover products to Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. This year, more than 10,800 lbs of food was donated.

The next FPFC event is the June 9 Luncheon + Cornhole Tournament at the Castlewood Country County in Pleasanton, California. Will you be there?

Fresh Produce & Floral Council