MONTEREY, CA - Returning to Monterey for a trade show always feels like a return to my very young roots in this industry. The journey to cutting my teeth began in 2011, and the International Fresh Produce Association Foodservice Conference (then PMA) was one of the first thresholds I ever crossed. Accompanied by the ocean breeze, a town built to entertain, and an industry brimming with mentorship, innovation, and comradery, I could not help but feel both challenged by it and in love with it. I felt the same this week as I crossed over from the Sacramento heat into the cool Central Coast of California. Those who cross this threshold know they are in for a treat, and an experience bolstered by value, ingenuity, and commerce.

“It was an incredible two days for this year’s Foodservice Conference. The resilience and creativity of the restaurant sector and those who supply it were on full display. 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,” said International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Chief Executive Officer Cathy Burns in a press release. “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. 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 shared that the conference was a resounding success, bringing together more than 2,220 attendees, including almost 1,000 buyers and menu influencers, with an almost 1:1 buyer-to-supplier ratio.

The week's trade show started smoothly mid-week with the Foodservice Council Meeting and K-12 School Forum Welcome Reception on Wednesday, followed by the building momentum of Thursday’s Buyer Sourcing Meetings and Lunch and Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards.

“The IFPA Foodservice show serves as a prime venue for us to engage closely with foodservice buyers and introduce our latest innovations. It's a unique chance to connect, discuss, and showcase our products with foodservice purchasers in a focused setting. Our team is able to see product trends while walking the show floor and get fantastic educational insights directly from the foodservice community,” Nichole Towell, Senior Director of Marketing and Packaging Procurement at Duda Farm Fresh Foods, detailed. “The interaction with school nutrition professionals at the K-12 School Foodservice Forum is particularly rewarding, reinforcing our commitment to this vital community.”

One of the many elements we love is the awards and honors bestowed at every turn of the conference. Here are some of the highlights from this year:

• 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
• Chef’s Choice Winner: Mission Produce for their Mango Panna Cotta

"The IFPA Foodservice Conference is the only event that allows anyone in the Foodservice segment to fully understand and experience the fresh produce Industry,” Gene Harris, Senior Purchasing Manager, Denny's, reflected. “It allows you to learn more about how and where the items are grown, packed, shipped, and distributed. The networking opportunities are abundant. I highly recommend it!"

Discussions carried the afternoon into a rich fusion of IFPA's latest research endeavor with Technomic to determine the flow of commodities throughout foodservice channels elevated by educational breakout sessions including “School Meals 101: A Focus on FRESH,” “Leveraging Technomic Insights,” and “Maximizing Fresh Produce on Menus.”

"The IFPA Foodservice show in Monterey stands as the pinnacle event for the produce industry, offering opportunities for networking, innovation, and business growth. Monterey provides the perfect setting that combines the beauty of the Salinas Valley with a relaxed atmosphere. I look forward to catching up with customers and industry friends every year," Nelia Alamo, Vice President of Marketing, Markon, stated.

Drawing together the best of the best in foodservice, IFPA then hosted a Networking Reception at Custom House Plaza Monterey State Historic Park to round out the beautiful evening in Monterey.

Inspired and invigorated, attendees then launched into Thursday’s exciting schedule with events including “Empowering Women in Foodservice: A Panel Discussion on Success, Challenges, and Innovation.” Moderator Lauren M. Scott, Executive Director, The Foundation for Fresh Produce Chief Strategy Officer, IFPA, opened up an insightful conversation with Lisa Hearne, Senior Vice President of Foodservice Sales and Marketing, Taylor Farms; Maria DeSarbo, President, Carbonella & DeSarbo; Linette Dodson, State School Nutrition Director, School Nutrition Division, Georgia Department of Education; and Danielle Kuhn, Owner, Scratchboard Kitchen.

With diverse backgrounds, each panelist pulled back the curtain and gave us a look through the window of the challenges and opportunities in foodservice through their unique experiences.

In addition, Taylor Farms' Lisa Hearne expressed her overall reflection on the event and its value.

“The Foodservice Conference is always an exciting time and true reflection of the dedication of all our team and customer partners each year. We couldn’t be happier with the 2024 turnout. The opportunity to see so many old friends and make new connections is priceless. This year was by far our largest group field tours, plant visits and traffic on the show floor.  We are grateful for everyone that came out and visited with us!” she stated.

Sysco had many reasons to celebrate the event as well.

"There are so many reasons I look forward to the IFPA Foodservice Conference each year in July,” Julie Olivarria, Vice President, Produce, Sysco, shared with me. “The opportunity to listen to suppliers' priorities and solutions, discover new products and services, and strengthen our relationships while making new ones is invaluable to our team. Each company brings a vision to the Foodservice Conference that elevates its value and its impact in the sector."

With our minds open and buzzing with connection and curiosity, attendees stepped onto the trade show floor. Bustling with conversation and brimming with solutions-driven conversations around packaging, value-added, and culinary preference, a changing tide seemed to move through the crowd and manifested in new products, revitalized programs, and new technologies.

Industry veteran Lisa McNeece shared in the enthusiasm of the day that seemed contagious at the conference.

"The Grimmway Farms team has been looking forward to heading to Monterey, California, all year for the annual IFPA Foodservice Conference!” Lisa, Vice President of Food Service and Industrial Sales, Grimmway Farms, expressed. “This is always a wonderful event that provides us with multiple events to catch up with existing customers and meet new ones. This year, we were excited to introduce a new carrot cut to our value-added line-up and bring it to market."

Having the trade show in its backyard, Church Brothers Farms has long felt the conference's value in many ways.

“It’s not until you visit someone in their home that you really get a sense of who they are. That’s how we feel about the IFPA Foodservice Conference and the weeks leading up to it,” Loree Dowse, Director of Marketing, Church Brothers Farms, said. "By sharing our fields, plant, and hospitality at our annual Ranch Party, we’re able to give customers a complete picture of what makes us tick. And when the Foodservice Conference arrived at the end of the week, we bonded even more strongly with the people we worked hard for all year long. Don’t get me wrong—we’re all a bit tired after the whirlwind, but nothing compares to it.”

With a head and heart full of foodservice ingenuity, we thank the IFPA team for an amazing event! Cheers to fresh produce opportunities ahead.