Washington, D.C. and Newark, De. – International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) BB #:378962 will be back in Monterey, California for the annual Foodservice Conference July 28-29. The full schedule has been announced and includes prime networking programming, the expo and keynote speaker and Food Network star, Robert Irvine.
“The Foodservice Conference is the only place dedicated to bringing the produce industry to the Foodservice sector,” said Foodservice Lead and Vice President at IFPA, Joe Watson. “There is no better opportunity to put more produce on the plate than in Monterey. With spotlights on fresh ideas on the show floor, and speakers who are all transforming the foodservice industry, we are excited to be back in the bay connecting in person.”
In addition to the Thursday Keynote featuring world-class chef Robert Irvine who has 20 seasons on his hit show “Restaurant: Impossible” where he helps struggling restaurants turn things around, Friday will include Monterey Bay Live! This session will welcome guests who are challenging menus and appetites for produce including Michel Nischan, founder & chairman of Wholesome Wave and Award winning Author, Speaker and Television Host, Leslie Sbrocco.
More than 500 buyers and influencers are expected to attend, including an exciting new audience of menu planners and foodservice directors from several of the nation’s largest K-12 school districts looking to revamp their menus.
The Foundation for Fresh Produce received a donation from Healthy Family Project, which announced in early March it was donating to the foundation to increase access to, and education about, fresh fruits and vegetables in schools as part of National Nutrition Month. This contribution is being used to bolster this new audience of K-12 foodservice at the event.
The networking does not stop on the show floor. In addition to the annual Networking Reception at the Barns which will take place on the first day of the conference, the schedule also features Buyer Sourcing Meetings, Peer to Peer discussions, and a closing reception that includes a Wine for a Cause Auction benefiting Brighter Bites.
The Foodservice Conference will also be welcoming the participants of the Leadership Program, a prestigious, yearlong development experience for industry rising stars, and the Career Pathways program, which brings university students to industry events and provides mentorship and education on the industry and potential career opportunities.
Registration is open and those looking to attend can find more information on the event website at: https://www.freshproduce.com/events/the-foodservice-conference/.
About the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA)
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is the largest and most diverse international association serving the entire fresh produce and floral supply chain and the only to seamlessly integrate world-facing advocacy and industry-facing support. We exist to bring the industry together to create a vibrant future for all. We grow our member’s prosperity by conducting advocacy; connecting people and ideas; and offering guidance that allows us all to take action with purpose and confidence. While IFPA is built on the legacy of United Fresh and Produce Marketing Association, it is not just a combination. It is transformational. Recognizing the industry required an even more powerful and unified voice, the leaders of the former United Fresh and Produce Marketing Association chose not to merge, but rather to create an entirely new organization to supersede their organizations, effective January 1, 2022.
