Latest News From Foodservice

IFPA meetings connect school foodservice buyers with produce suppliers
IFPA meetings connect school foodservice buyers with produce suppliers

The International Fresh Produce Association coordinated a series of “speed dating” meetings in late February to connect produce companies with school foodservice officials from several U.S. school districts.

Toronto-area produce distributors seen gains in foodservice sales
Toronto-area produce distributors seen gains in foodservice sales

Foodservice business in the area has been making gains over the past couple of years, but it’s not yet back to pre-pandemic levels.

Caruso Foods unveils strategy for fresh food industry
Caruso Foods unveils strategy for fresh food industry

Jeff Burt, president and chief operating officer of Caruso USA, highlighted Caruso Foods' commitment to industry demands, emphasizing quality and innovation in a recent interview with The Packer.

Fresh mushroom trends afoot
Fresh mushroom trends afoot

What are the latest mushroom trends at retail and foodservice? To find out, Produce Market Guide asked Baldor Specialty Foods, Bronx, N.Y.

Sabert Corp. releases new containers and portion cups for foodservice
Sabert Corp. releases new containers and portion cups for foodservice

The food packaging manufacturer has unveiled new Pulp Hinged Containers and Pulp Portion Cups, adding to its line of sustainable and compostable products for foodservice operators.

National Restaurant Association Show announces new expo and education programming for 2024 event
National Restaurant Association Show announces new expo and education programming for 2024 event

The National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Show says designated badge category offers exclusive access to more than 40 operator-led sessions, intimate roundtable discussions and networking refreshment breaks.

Mush Foods launches restaurant-ready mushroom root blends
Mush Foods launches restaurant-ready mushroom root blends

Mush Foods says chefs swapping the mushroom root blends into recipes, in place of some meat, can seamlessly enhance flavor and nutritional value, while improving cost and reducing the environmental impact in every dish.

School nutrition group calls for increased federal support
School nutrition group calls for increased federal support

A new School Nutrition Association survey report says economic, procurement and regulatory issues are obstacles facing school meal administrators as pandemic-era assistance comes to an end.

What Sabert leaders see as top-line foodservice trends for 2024
What Sabert leaders see as top-line foodservice trends for 2024

Citing eco-friendly packaging and innovation as topics to watch, the food packaging supplier has issued a trend forecast for the foodservice sector.

Changing lives through healthy eating at The Wonderful Company
Changing lives through healthy eating at The Wonderful Company

Chef Kelly Wangard is on a mission to increase fresh produce consumption and promote healthy eating habits, while changing lives in the process.

Exploring fresh, not fried (yet) potatoes for foodservice
Exploring fresh, not fried (yet) potatoes for foodservice

For many of the foodservice buyers on a recent harvest tour hosted by the Idaho Potato Commission, there was one aspect of Idaho russet potatoes that they kept returning to as they explored the dusty fields of potatoes.

Promotion helps K-12 foodservice operators earn loyalty program bonus points
Promotion helps K-12 foodservice operators earn loyalty program bonus points

In collaboration with Fresh Alliance procurement services, orders placed by Cool School Cafe loyalty program members can earn bonus points that can be redeemed to help enhance child nutrition meal programs.

From dirt to dinner: Foodservice experts dive into Idaho potatoes
From dirt to dinner: Foodservice experts dive into Idaho potatoes

There’s been a big shift since the COVID-19 pandemic, said Kent Sutton, whose 375-acre family farm is part of the Rexburg-based Bench Mark cooperative of five potato growers.

Report: U.S. foodservice sales back on track for good growth
Report: U.S. foodservice sales back on track for good growth

Growth in U.S. foodservice sales will bump up a notch in the next few years, according to a new economic analysis from Agriculture Canada.

Photos: Day 1 of Idaho potato harvest tour
Photos: Day 1 of Idaho potato harvest tour

Peak potato harvest time drew more than a dozen foodservice and produce professionals from across the country to southeastern Idaho.

Let mushrooms be themselves, says Le Bernardin’s chef Eric Ripert
Let mushrooms be themselves, says Le Bernardin’s chef Eric Ripert

Two chefs from New York City's Le Bernardin and Planta and two representatives from mushroom-meat brands, Fable Foods and MyForest Foods, discuss center-plate mushrooms at the Plant Based World Expo.

IFPA honors standout exhibitors at the 2023 Foodservice Conference
IFPA honors standout exhibitors at the 2023 Foodservice Conference

Rijk Zwaan was honored with the top spot, winning Best in Show. Sun Orchards, Califresh and Ocean Mist Farms also took home honors from this year’s IFPA Foodservice Conference in Monterey, Calif.

What specialty produce means to foodservice — and beyond
What specialty produce means to foodservice — and beyond

What is specialty produce, actually, and why does it matter for foodservice?

Top produce trends in restaurant, retail foodservice — from salads to juices to fresh cut
Top produce trends in restaurant, retail foodservice — from salads to juices to fresh cut

When it comes to understanding what consumers want from healthful, wholesome and flavorful prepared foods at retail, Barons Market has its finger on the pulse of fresh.

How to meet foodservice customers where they are
How to meet foodservice customers where they are

What's on tap for this year's The Foodservice Conference? To find out, The Packer recently connected with Joe Watson, vice president of retail, foodservice and wholesale for International Fresh Produce Association.

How one foodservice operator is putting fruit and vegetables center plate
How one foodservice operator is putting fruit and vegetables center plate

When it comes to moving the needle on fresh produce consumption through foodservice, personalization and convenience are key, as is a healthy dose of wow factor.

Mission Produce to share value of avocados on menus at IFPA Foodservice Conference
Mission Produce to share value of avocados on menus at IFPA Foodservice Conference

Oxnard, Calif.-based Mission Produce Inc. plans to educate attendees on the value avocados bring to menus at the International Fresh Produce Association Foodservice Conference.

Markon touts versatility in new ready-to-use foodservice salad mix
Markon touts versatility in new ready-to-use foodservice salad mix

Foodservice-focused produce company Markon Cooperative is launching a pre-cut, washed and ready-to-use salad mix called Harvest Crisp Blend.

Sabert Corp. launches EcoEdge Paper Cutlery
Sabert Corp. launches EcoEdge Paper Cutlery

Recyclable and compostable, the disposable cutlery line offers foodservice operators a viable and sustainable alternative to plastic cutlery, says the Sayreville, N.J.-based food packaging solutions provider.

FDA issues report on strategies for limiting norovirus infections at restaurants
FDA issues report on strategies for limiting norovirus infections at restaurants

A report from the FDA reveals that restaurants and retail foodservice operations with targeted norovirus prevention strategies are most successful in limiting infections.

K-12 School Foodservice Partner X-Change connects produce suppliers with school menu planners
K-12 School Foodservice Partner X-Change connects produce suppliers with school menu planners

The International Fresh Produce Association coordinated a School Foodservice Partner X-Change to connect produce companies with leading school menu planners.

USDA announces finalists for 12 new Regional Food Business Centers
USDA announces finalists for 12 new Regional Food Business Centers

The USDA has conducted a competitive application process and selected 12 finalists to serve as leads of the Regional Food Business Centers.

Gambles Produce grows with the needs of its customers
Gambles Produce grows with the needs of its customers

In the past year, the Gambles Group of Companies has transformed from a regional wholesaler to a full-service distributor that services all markets across Canada, says Lisa D'Ambrosio, marketing manager.

J.E. Russell Produce sees growth with new categories and customers
J.E. Russell Produce sees growth with new categories and customers

The company has increased delivery capabilities and offerings to support customers who are not present at the Ontario Food Terminal on a daily basis.

Baldor Specialty Foods expands operations
Baldor Specialty Foods expands operations

Bronx, N.Y.-based distributor Baldor Specialty Foods has signed a lease for a new facility in Lanham, Md.

IFCO reusable packaging containers help HelloFresh pursue efficiency, sustainability amid growth in meal kit deliveries
IFCO reusable packaging containers help HelloFresh pursue efficiency, sustainability amid growth in meal kit deliveries

As HelloFresh has grown in recent years, it has relied on IFCO to provide durable, space-saving crates that move in and out of the company’s system rapidly while reducing environmental impact.

St. Louis foodservice sales on rebound
St. Louis foodservice sales on rebound

Foodservice sales in the St. Louis, Mo., area have, for the most part, rebounded from the doldrums of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, some produce distributors say their restaurant business has surpassed 2019 levels.

IFPA recognizes outstanding exhibit marketing at The Foodservice Conference
IFPA recognizes outstanding exhibit marketing at The Foodservice Conference

International Fresh Produce Association celebrated three standout winners at the Foodservice Conference Expo on July 29.

Apples have small but important foodservice role
Apples have small but important foodservice role

Smaller sizes and varieties that are on the lower end of the price scale often are the choice of foodservice buyers, Michigan apple grower-shippers say.

Slideshow: IFPA Foodservice Conference
Slideshow: IFPA Foodservice Conference

The International Fresh Produce Association’s July 28-29 Foodservice Conference attracted a record attendance of nearly 2,000 and more than 900 registered buyers from about 250 companies, show organizers said.

GrubMarket expands network and grows technology platform
GrubMarket expands network and grows technology platform

MONTEREY, Calif. —  San Francisco-based GrubMarket was showcasing its growth and technology tools at IFPA's Foodservice Conference, says Bryan Barsness, vice president of sales and marketing.

Tanimura & Antle showcases greenhouse-grown lettuce at foodservice expo
Tanimura & Antle showcases greenhouse-grown lettuce at foodservice expo

MONTEREY, Calif. — Tanimura & Antle was highlighting its greenhouse-grown lettuce at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Foodservice Conference Expo on July 29.

Del Rey Avocados touts expanded capabilities
Del Rey Avocados touts expanded capabilities

MONTEREY, Calif. — Fallbrook, Calif.-based Del Rey Avocados was highlighting its expanded capabilities at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Foodservice Conference Expo on July 29.

Maglio highlights value-added mango and pineapple products
Maglio highlights value-added mango and pineapple products

MONTEREY, Calif. — Glendale, Wis.-based Maglio Companies was featuring its Mango Cheeks and Pineapple Spears at the International Fresh Produce Association Foodservice Conference Expo on July 29.

NEPC expo to feature new site, new schedule, hockey star
NEPC expo to feature new site, new schedule, hockey star

A new location and updated schedule, as well as an appearance by the “Jackie Robinson of women’s hockey,” are all on tap for NEPC's upcoming expo.

IFPA conference features a close-up focus on foodservice stars
IFPA conference features a close-up focus on foodservice stars

With personal stories, career reflections, and on-set food preparation, the talk-show format of the Monterey Bay Live! July 29 general session of the Foodservice Conference dazzled.

IFPA Foodservice Conference draws 900 buyers, record attendance
IFPA Foodservice Conference draws 900 buyers, record attendance

MONTEREY, Calif. – The buzz was real. 

Irvine to school foodservice professionals at Foodservice Conference: Help me help you
Irvine to school foodservice professionals at Foodservice Conference: Help me help you

Television personality Robert Irvine sparked lively back and forth verbal exchanges on child nutrition issues at the opening general session at the 2022 International Fresh Produce Association’s Foodservice Conference.

IFPA's Cathy Burns outlines challenges to grow produce consumption among children 
IFPA's Cathy Burns outlines challenges to grow produce consumption among children 

MONTEREY, Calif. — International Fresh Produce Association CEO Cathy Burns welcomed a crowd estimated at more than 1,800 to the 42nd annual Foodservice Conference, the first such event to be branded with the IFPA name.

Lipman Family Farms to highlight fresh-cut produce at IFPA’s Foodservice Show
Lipman Family Farms to highlight fresh-cut produce at IFPA’s Foodservice Show

Immokalee, Fla.-based Lipman Family Farms will be showcasing their growing category of value-added Lipman Fresh-Cuts at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Foodservice Conference.

Pure Flavor returns to IFPA Foodservice Conference with intent to shake up foodservice menus
Pure Flavor returns to IFPA Foodservice Conference with intent to shake up foodservice menus

The Pure Flavor hothouse label is out to shake up foodservice menus, says Chris Veillon, chief marketing officer for Pure Hothouse Foods Inc. and the Pure Flavor brand, Leamington, Ont.

Colombian avocados set to become viable foodservice option, Index Fresh reports
Colombian avocados set to become viable foodservice option, Index Fresh reports

Colombian hass avocado fruit is available from Index Fresh and should become an increasingly viable option for foodservice operators, said Susie Rea, sales and business development at Index Fresh Inc., Riverside, Calif.

IFPA Foodservice Conference showcases Fresh Ideas
IFPA Foodservice Conference showcases Fresh Ideas

Among companies with products featured on the online Fresh Ideas showcase for the International Fresh Produce Association's Foodservice Conference, here are some highlights of the products posted through July 13:

Naturipe sees foodservice rebound
Naturipe sees foodservice rebound

Naturipe is seeing foodservice demand rebound this year, says Jerry Moran, vice president of sales for Naturipe Farms.

Center for Produce Safety elects Joe Pezzini as chair of board of directors
Center for Produce Safety elects Joe Pezzini as chair of board of directors

Joe Pezzini is the new chair of Center for Produce Safety’s board of directors.