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Produce for Better Health Foundation
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There was never an idle moment at the United Fresh Marketplace show in Chicago earlier this week. Industry members heard first-class speakers and panelists on retail, foodservice and food safety issues at the Saturday produce short courses. The next day, a maximum-capacity crowd attended the Sunday opening reception and awards banquet as more than 550 industry members came together to recognize industry leaders at all levels. The Produce Industry Leadership Class 12 graduated with Keith Johnson from Kroger giving the class' farewell speech. "Over the past year we have come to know ourselves as much as one another and we are ready now more than ever to contribute to our communities, our companies, and our industry," said Johnson. Next, Lance Jungmeyer, editor of The Packer, presented Joe Pezzini, Ocean Mist Farms, with the 2007 "Packer Person of the Year" award. Joe was recognized for his tremendous work on behalf of the industry in the area of food safety. In his acceptance speech, he thanked The Packer and humbly noted that he "was just doing what anyone in the industry would have done in the same situation." The Sunday banquet finished with the presentation of the 3rd annual Retail Produce Manager Awards. More than 120 retailers packed the room to join the industry in recognizing the 2007 winners for their work on the produce industry's front lines.
On Monday morning, the day began with a visit to the Fresh Marketplace expo floor by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns. During his visit, he met privately with about 100 United Fresh volunteer leaders to discuss the Administration's support for the fruit and vegetable industry in the 2007 Farm Bill. "After visiting with a number of fruit and vegetables farmers from around the country over the past two years, it is evident that Secretary Johanns has been a stalwart supporter of increased equity in funding for specialty crops," said Tom Stenzel, United Fresh president. Following the briefing, Secretary Johanns walked the expo floor, visiting with United Fresh exhibitors. The business and networking continued Monday night at the Reception Honoring Women in Produce, during which the honoree, Jan DeLyser, described her passion for the produce industry and encouraged others to live each day with a passion for what they do.
An estimated 20,000 of the 25,000 total show attendees, including growers, shippers, wholesalers, buyers, input suppliers, food service operators, chefs, retailers and media from around the world, visited the 2007 Fresh Marketplace expo hall. In 2008, the Fresh Marketplace show will be co-located with FreshTech and The FMI Show, May 4-7 in Las Vegas, NV.
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