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PBH Highlights Successful Connections From IFPA’s Global Produce & Floral Show

November 3, 2022 – The Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) hosted one of its most successful events bringing 23 influential retail dietitians and foodservice leaders to its 2022 Retail & Foodservice Immersion Event, held alongside the International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Global Produce & Floral Show, October 26-29, 2022 in Orlando, Florida.

This signature PBH event provided foodservice leaders and consumer-facing retail dietitians with access to the latest produce innovations, new research and behavioral insights as well as tools to inspire new fruit and vegetable consumption habits online, in-store and in foodservice establishments across America. With four-days of education sessions, experiential tastings, trainings and networking opportunities, alongside IFPA’s general sessions, Women’s Fresh Perspectives Breakfast and Expo Show Floor, the event was deemed a success in the minds of all parties involved.

“PBH was honored to support one of the industry’s largest tradeshows, as well as connect produce companies directly with consumers through the various points of influence – including at the point-of-sale (retail) and at the point-of-flavor (culinary & foodservice),” says Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, MS, RDN, PBH President & CEO. “The goal of this signature PBH event was to provide retail and foodservice leaders with actionable education and intimate networking experiences that inspire them to get creative with fruits and vegetables as well as take back ideas and solutions that help drive produce consumption and purchases in their stores, in e-commerce, and in dining establishments nationwide.”

Here are some of the highlights:
Turning Walnut Hacks Into Habits At Home, In Store & In Foodservice
(Sponsored by California Walnut Commission)
     

Robert Verloop, newly minted CEO of California Walnut Commission, shared ways to promote walnuts as a form of produce using quick and easy hacks at home, in the store and in foodservice settings. VIPs also sampled varieties of walnuts through a guided walnut tasting experience.

A Joyfully Grown® Apple Pairing Experience
(Sponsored by Chelan Fresh)

      

VIPs delighted in a delicious apple, cheese and wine paring experience while learning the backstory of Chelan Fresh’s new brand, Joyfully Grown®. 

A Wonderful® Have A Plant® Networking Party
(Sponsored by Wonderful Citrus)

      

The excitement was real as we kicked off our VIP Networking Reception with The Wonderful Company! The Retail and Foodservice VIPs and our event sponsors connected over Wonderful Seedless Lemon and Wonderful Halos-inspired food and drinks.

Duda Culinary Experience: Have A Plant® Hacks For Easy, Flavorful Meals & Snacks
(Sponsored by Duda Farm Fresh)
      
      
      

So much creativity was shown at the culinary experience with Duda Farm Fresh Foods at The Walt Disney World Center For Culinary Arts and Hospitality! Led by Chef Todd Fisher, teams of retail and foodservice leaders developed snack ideas and meal kits using hacks they learned from the PBH Hacks To Habits research and the general sessions at The Global Produce & Floral Show.

Pre-Scheduled Booth Visits With Fruit & Vegetable Industry Leaders
(Sponsors included Avocados From Mexico, California Giant Berry Farms, Dole Food Company, Michigan Apple Committee, Naturipe Farms LLC., Pear Bureau Northwest, Red Sun Farms, Stemilt, Seneca Apple Chips and Sunkist Growers)
      
      

The group geared up for a full day of booth visits on the Expo floor. The VIPs were able to make meaningful connections and engage with each of these fruit and vegetable industry leaders, ultimately connecting the show floor to consumers through social media posts.

Grab A Boost of Blue: How Can We Turn Insights and Inspiration Into Action In Stores and Restaurants? Followed by a Celebratory Send-Off & Lunch
(Sponsored by U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council & Naturipe Farms LLC.)
      

PBH closed out the event with inspiration from Kasey Cronquist, President of U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, around driving demand and motivating consumption of blueberries in both the retail and foodservice settings.

IFPA Women’s Fresh Perspectives Breakfast:
Nobody’s Perfect: Achieving Divirsity, Equity, Inclusion & Access with Marlee Matlin
(Courtesy of Naturipe Farms LLC.)
      

Special thanks to PBH Chairman of the Board CarrieAnn Arias of Naturipe Farms LLC. for her passion for celebrating women in produce and making it possible for the VIPs to attend the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Breakfast.

“This unique event creates a memorable experience for these important influencers who talk to consumers about fruits and vegetables every day,” says Katie Calligaro, Marketing & Communications Senior Director, PBH. “Many sponsors use the time together as a focus group to gain feedback and insights straight from the front lines. And, many attendees were posting and sharing directly with their consumer-facing-audiences in real time via social media—a PBH value-added bonus. It’s a win-win for everyone involved. Every company has a story to share with these influencer and should capitalize on this opportunity during next year’s show!”

A Big Thank You To All Participating VIPs & Sponsors:

2022 PBH Retail & Foodservice Immersion Event Participating Retailers:

  • Big Y Foods, Inc.
  • Fresh Thyme Market
  • Giant Food
  • The GIANT Company
  • Harmons Grocery Stores
  • H-E-B
  • Inserra Supermarkets, Inc. (ShopRite)
  • The Kroger Company
  • Loblaws
  • Natural Grocers
  • Rouses Supermarkets
  • ShopRite – Inserra Supermarkets, Inc.
  • Stop & Shop Companies, Inc.
  • The United Family
  • Wegman’s Food Markets, Inc.
  • Weis Markets, Inc.
2022 PBH Retail & Foodservice Immersion Event Foodservice Leaders From:
  • Bloomin’ Brands
  • Chartwells, the Education Division of Compass Group, North America
  • Little Ceasar’s
  • Sodexo
  • UMass Dining
  • Yale Hospitality
2022 PBH Retail & Foodservice Immersion Event Sponsors:
  • Avocados From Mexico
  • California Giant Berry
  • California Walnut Commission
  • Chelan Fresh
  • Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc.
  • Dole Food Company
  • Michigan Apple Committee
  • Naturipe Farms LLC
  • Pear Bureau Northwest
  • Red Sun Farms
  • Seneca Foods
  • Stemilt Growers LLC
  • Sunkist Growers
  • The Wonderful Company
  • U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
For more information about PBH’s events and programming and how to participate in next year’s event, contact Sharese Roper, Industry & Partner Engagement Senior Director at [email protected].