SANTA MARIA, CA - 2020 has been a year of firsts for many: first remote positions, first social distancing environments, first face-mask-as-accessory-and-health-precaution moment, and many more. Another first-time that many of us have now walked through together was the inaugural United Fresh LIVE! tradeshow and convention. The Gold Coast Packing team brought their digital A-game this June and came away surprised, enriched, and ready for the future of fresh.

“We were pleasantly surprised by how well United Fresh LIVE! was put together and all the offerings the United team presented to attendees and exhibitors. The education sessions had so much to offer on a variety of topics,” Crystal Chavez, Marketing Coordinator shared with me. “I really enjoyed the school foodservice sessions and learning how school foodservice directors have gone above and beyond to make sure all students are being fed and taken care of during COVID-19. It’s not clear how the new school year will look but school foodservice staff are preparing for whatever will come their way and with produce on the menu.”

Crystal also expressed that the data portal available to exhibitors has been such a huge benefit, full of insights that the team can tap as Gold Coast looks ahead.

“During live shows, you have the attendees with the badges turned around so you don’t get to see who they are or who they are with. With the digital show, there was no way to hide any of that information. We were able to make some great connections at United Fresh LIVE! and the data available to our team has helped with continuing those conversations,” she says.

At the 2020 inaugural event, Gold Coast shared value-added products for both retail and foodservice with those that came to the booth. School foodservice has always been a large focus for United Fresh and for Gold Coast, so the team made sure to share a lot of its products that the company offers to school foodservice operators and distributors.

“School foodservice has been a focus of ours for a while, so we knew United Fresh would help us link up with foodservice directors and distributors in attendance. All of our Santa Maria, California-grown products are perfect for a school kitchen,” Crystal says. “We were happy to connect with those working in school kitchens and hearing what they need for their menus and how they have been impacted by COVID-19. Smaller-sized packaging for produce is something that was in demand during the show and we heard from several directors about the offering as grab-and-go is what is being leaned on when schools return in the fall with a new way of learning.”

With such palpable virtual energy at this year’s United Fresh LIVE!, we, are excited for what is to come and what possibilities are still in store! Keep checking back with AndNowUKnow as we bring you more coverage from the inaugural event and tradeshow format.

Gold Coast Packing