NEW YORK CITY, NY - We’re only a week away from the first-ever United Fresh LIVE! virtual event! Since this is the online trade show’s inaugural debut, a few other never-before-seen events will be featured in this year’s lineup, including the first-ever Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Leafy Greens Pavilion, hosted by the CEA Food Safety Coalition. The pavilion will feature a series of panel discussions and this year’s groundbreaking lineup includes none other than ANUK’s very own Whit Grebitus and The GIANT Company’s Nick Bertram.

Marni Karlin, Executive Director, CEA Food Safety Coalition“Many U.S. grocers are already working with CEA leafy greens companies. The CEA pavilion will provide them with an opportunity to learn more about the benefits of partnering with CEA growers,” said Marni Karlin, Executive Director of the CEA Food Safety Coalition, who will be available to speak to stakeholders over the course of the next week. “Retailers will be able to learn about the coalition’s work to establish credible, strong, and appropriate food safety standards for the CEA leafy greens industry. We’re working closely with our members, academics, and third-party certification bodies to build the model for safety in leafy greens.”

During the weeklong United Fresh LIVE!, the pavilion will serve as a resource for attendees to learn more about the rapidly growing CEA leafy greens industry and the CEA Food Safety Coalition, with curious attendees encouraged to stop by the virtual booth to find out more about the benefits of becoming a member.

Next week's United Fresh LIVE! will feature the first-ever Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Leafy Greens Pavilion, hosted by the CEA Food Safety Coalition

“We’ve had incredible growth in membership over the last year, but there are still a number of producers around the country that we would like to connect with,” said Karlin. “The more that we can represent all players in our sector, the stronger we will be in our mission to develop leading food safety standards for the CEA leafy greens industry, and represent the sector as a whole.”

According to a press release, the series of panel discussions throughout next week include the following:

• Introducing the CEA Food Safety Coalition: Who We Are and What We Do - Join some of the founding members of the CEA Food Safety Coalition and its inaugural Executive Director to learn about the Coalition, and the work it is doing on behalf of the indoor leafy greens sector. June 15, 4-5 p.m. EST
• Food Safety Challenges and Opportunities Unique to CEA Leafy Greens - Hear food safety experts from some of the coalition's members discuss what makes controlled environment agriculture different from a food safety perspective, and what the coalition is doing to develop standards specific to controlled environment leafy greens production. June 16, 11 a.m.-noon EST
• COVID-19 and Market Disruptions: How Decentralized CEA Supply Chains Add Value - CEA production often uses a shorter supply chain, which has proven to be increasingly valuable during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Hear the coalition's experience through this time, and what we as an industry can learn to enhance local food supply at all times, not just during market disruptions. June 17, 11 a.m.-noon EST
• Retail Partners’ Perspective on Value of CEA Production (featuring Nick Bertram on panel and Whit Grebitus as moderator) - Hear the unique perspective of retail and other community partners who choose partnerships with CEA producers. Understand the value that retailers and other partners get from developing a robust relationship with CEA leafy greens producers. June 18, 11 a.m.-noon EST

Registration for United Fresh LIVE! is FREE! Click here to register. As we continue to gear up for the big event, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest digital trade show coverage.

CEA Food Safety Coalition United Fresh Produce Association