Latest News From PMA

International Fresh Produce Association unveils name, organization goals
International Fresh Produce Association unveils name, organization goals

Top leaders of the new International Fresh Produce Association convened in a video call with more than 20 members of the media to talk about the goals and mission of the new industry group.

Floral Marketing Alliance will launch with new association
Floral Marketing Alliance will launch with new association

International Fresh Produce Association Co-CEOs Cathy Burns and Tom Stenzel were joined by industry leaders to share updates about the new produce and floral association.

Foundation for Fresh Produce is launched with new association
Foundation for Fresh Produce is launched with new association

As a complementary philanthropic partner of the new International Fresh Produce Association, the Foundation for Fresh Produce will be launched with a vision to grow a healthier world.

Amelia Freidline
Reflecting on Fresh Summit

My first Fresh Summit experience was in 2008 in Orlando, Fla. I had graduated from college five months before, joined The Packer six weeks before, and spent my 21st birthday working on our annual Fresh Summit preview.

What PMA’s last chairman thinks about 2020, 2021, 2022
What PMA’s last chairman thinks about 2020, 2021, 2022

Dwight Ferguson will be the last Produce Marketing Association chairman — ever.

PMA announces online Fresh Ideas Showcase 
PMA announces online Fresh Ideas Showcase 

The PMA has announced that an Online Fresh Ideas Showcase, where companies can share their innovative products and services, will be available for buyers to see the newest flavors and solutions.   

PMA unable to put on Fresh Summit 2021 due to Hurricane Ida 
PMA unable to put on Fresh Summit 2021 due to Hurricane Ida 

Produce Marketing Association (PMA)  has decided it will be unable to put on Fresh Summit 2021 scheduled for October 28-30 in New Orleans, Louisiana, due to the impacts of Hurricane Ida and Tropical Storm Nicholas.

Wendy McManus Speaking at Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference
Wendy McManus Speaking at Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference

Wendy McManus, leadership coach of Connect 2 Potential, is continuing her relationship with the Center for Growing Talent by PMA by presenting two sessions at the upcoming Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference.

Burns and Stenzel Announce Industry Officers of New Association
Burns and Stenzel Announce Industry Officers of New Association

Future Co-CEOs Cathy Burns of Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and Tom Stenzel of United Fresh have named the Executive Committee that will serve as officers for the new association.

Max Teplitski
Chlorpyrifos ban shows need for greater access to fresh produce production and R&D tools

Every time a tool of production is taken away and not replaced with a better alternative, it has negative consequences.

PMA issues update on COVID-19 precautions at Fresh Summit
PMA issues update on COVID-19 precautions at Fresh Summit

Cathy Burns, CEO of the Produce Marketing Association, has issued an update on COVID-19-related precautions as plans continue for an in-person Fresh Summit in New Orleans, set for Oct. 28-30.

Our highlights at PMA Foodservice Show
Our highlights at PMA Foodservice Show

Here's a taste of what we saw, who we talked to and where we buzzed around at Produce Marketing Association's Foodservice Conference & Expo July 21-22, in Monterey, Calif.

PMA’s Lauren Scott challenges industry to have the courage to change
PMA’s Lauren Scott challenges industry to have the courage to change

Many produce professionals would agree that 2020 and the first half of 2021 have required a lot of courage and change.

What the milestone PMA Foodservice show was like, in-person
What the milestone PMA Foodservice show was like, in-person

MONTEREY, CALIF. — While seagulls cooed atop the Spanish-tiled roofs and palms danced in the Pacific breeze, produce professionals streamed inside the 40th Produce Marketing Association Foodservice Conference & Expo.

Packer Insight – PMA Foodservice, immigration, melons and more
Packer Insight – PMA Foodservice, immigration, melons and more

Tom Karst, Ashley Nickle and Amy Sowder discussed PMA Foodservice, immigration reform, item identification at the register and more in this episode of Packer Insight.

What to expect at PMA Foodservice Show — at a critical time
What to expect at PMA Foodservice Show — at a critical time

PMA's Foodservice show July 21-22 in Monterey, Calif., should help foodservice suppliers and buyers troubleshoot and stay on top of all the changes as this sector revives.

Foodservice Conference guests invited to give back with Brighter Bites 
Foodservice Conference guests invited to give back with Brighter Bites 

Produce Marketing Association  Brighter Bites have announced that all attendees registered to attend the PMA Foodservice Conference can also sign up to help give back to local families.

SEPC in full support of PMA and United Fresh union
SEPC in full support of PMA and United Fresh union

Southeast Produce Council’s Executive Committee convened in early May and expressed full support of the recent merger between PMA and United Fresh, who will consolidate to create a new global trade association.

After vote, United Fresh and PMA to move forward with plans for new organization
After vote, United Fresh and PMA to move forward with plans for new organization

The Produce Marketing Association and the United Fresh Produce Association have won member support to move forward in creating a single new organization representing the global produce and floral communities.

PMA Virtual Town Hall looks at retail trends
PMA Virtual Town Hall looks at retail trends

It has been a full year since the COVID-19 pandemic began and a May 5 Produce Marketing Association Town Hall program looked at some of the lessons learned.

Max Teplitski
Are we up for a challenge?

Any program that aims to address hunger must primarily focus on addressing nutritional insecurity and supply fruits and vegetables to those in need. This message was at heart of a challenge issued by PMA's Cathy Burns.

PMA Foodservice is open and taking reservations
PMA Foodservice is open and taking reservations

Produce Marketing Association (PMA) has officially opened registration and hotel reservations for PMA Foodservice 2021 which will be held in Monterey, California from July 21-22. 

PMA Foodservice registration to open April 28
PMA Foodservice registration to open April 28

Registration will open April 28 for the Produce Marketing Association’s Foodservice Conference & Expo in Monterey, Calif.

PMA, United to hold member vote on merger
PMA, United to hold member vote on merger

Members of the Produce Marketing Association and the United Fresh Produce Association will vote May 11 on a resolution for the organizations to combine and form a new association.

Frieda Rapoport Caplan scholarship formed for PMA women’s conference
Frieda Rapoport Caplan scholarship formed for PMA women’s conference

A Frieda Rapoport Caplan Women’s Fresh Perspectives Scholarship has started to enable a woman in the industry to attend the Women’s Fresh Perspective Conference each year at no cost.

UPDATED: PMA and United Fresh to create new global trade association
UPDATED: PMA and United Fresh to create new global trade association

(UPDATED, April 1) The boards of directors of the Produce Marketing Association and the United Fresh Produce Association have reached an agreement in principle to combine the groups by the first of the year.

Live chef demo on healthy, delicious eating available online
Live chef demo on healthy, delicious eating available online

Center for Growing Talent continues its three-part Virtual Wellness Series 5 p.m. Eastern March 30 with a live chef demonstration, titled “Healthy, Delicious Eating," to support the Career Pathways program. 

February produce retail sales and what’s ahead for March
February produce retail sales and what’s ahead for March

Produce retail’s winning streak against year-ago sales numbers continued in February, with the category bringing in $5.3 billion, up 10.1% from 2020.

PMA celebrates anniversary of Virtual Town Hall and returns to SXSW
PMA celebrates anniversary of Virtual Town Hall and returns to SXSW

The Produce Marketing Association will mark its one-year anniversary of its weekly Virtual Town Hall series with a special South by Southwest edition on March 24 at noon Eastern.

PMA back in Monterey for in-person July Foodservice Conference
PMA back in Monterey for in-person July Foodservice Conference

The Newark, Del.-based Produce Marketing Association will be bringing the industry back together – in person – in Monterey, Calif., for the Foodservice Conference on July 21-22. 

Q&A with Cathy Burns: What to expect from this year's Fresh Summit
Q&A with Cathy Burns: What to expect from this year's Fresh Summit

On March 8, Produce Marketing Association CEO Cathy Burns gave The Packer an update about plans for PMA’s Fresh Summit.

Topics in produce marketing and a new training program for produce retail
Topics in produce marketing and a new training program for produce retail

Episode 38 of Tip of the Iceberg Podcast features two interviews: one with Mary Coppola of United Fresh, and one with Joe Watson of PMA and Steve Patt of Tourtellot & Co.

PMA Announces In-Person Fresh Summit: We will See you in New Orleans!
PMA Announces In-Person Fresh Summit: We will See you in New Orleans!

PMA has announced that Fresh Summit 2021 will take place, in-person, October 28-30, 2021 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

Center for Growing Talent supports Women’s Fresh Perspectives Portfolio

The Center for Growing Talent is launching an ongoing short video series supporting the Women’s Fresh Perspectives Portfolio.

PMA web event looks at energy use and sustainability

Registration is open for a free Produce Marketing Association web seminar on sustainability and energy consumption.

PMA expands virtual learning course offerings

Produce Marketing Association and Center for Growing Talent are expanding their virtual learning opportunities.

PMA’s Richard Owen to lead American Peanut Council

The Produce Marketing Association’s Richard Owen will be leaving his position at the end of January to become president and CEO of the American Peanut Council.

PMA Virtual Town Hall addresses food safety

Please join us for a PMA Virtual Town Hall at 12:00 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, January 6: New Year, Old Food Safety Problems.

PMA welcomes new Dietary Guidelines for Americans

The Produce Marketing Association today welcomed the publication of the new 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

End-of-year retail performance expected similar to November

The COVID-19 pandemic reduced big gatherings for the Thanksgiving holiday, but retail produce sales data showed fresh produce continued to show strong gains compared with year-ago levels.

PMA releases statement on end of 2 E. coli outbreaks

On December 18, Center for Disease Control released two statements declaring two active outbreaks of pathogenic E. coli were over.

Leaders to share insights at PMA’s Virtual Town Hall

Produce Marketing Association  has announced that they will cap off this year’s Virtual Town Hall Series with a candid conversation featuring Bruce Taylor of Taylor Farms and John Anderson of The Oppenheimer Group.

Leafy green pilots reveal value of sharing extended product information

Investigations into foodborne illness outbreaks could be streamlined and conducted more effectively when supply chain partners provide extended product information during tracebacks.

PMA's Nancy Tucker looking back, looking forward
PMA's Nancy Tucker looking back, looking forward

The Packer’s Tom Karst recently visited with Nancy Tucker, vice president of the Produce Marketing Association.

PMA announces Fresh Summit Best of Show Awards
PMA announces Fresh Summit Best of Show Awards

Produce Marketing Association (PMA) announced the “Best of Show” awards this week, a Fresh Summit tradition of recognition that celebrates innovation and creativity in marketing and product promotion. 

Leonard Batti starts term as chairman of the Center for Growing Talent

Leonard Batti, vice president of Taylor Farms, is the new chairman of the Produce Marketing Association’s Center for Growing Talent.

Packer 25 2020 — Richard Owen

With 30 years invested in the agriculture industry, Richard Owen has come to appreciate the global reach and opportunities of the fresh produce industry.

Packer Insight — New products, awards, Florida and more
Packer Insight — New products, awards, Florida and more

Get a rundown of the news of the week from Tom Karst, Chris Koger, Ashley Nickle and Amy Sowder on topics from Trevor Suslow leaving PMA to Oleen Smethurst receiving the Canadian Produce Person of the Year Award.

PMA welcomes six board members

The Produce Marketing Association is adding six new members to its board of directors.

I Love Produce at PMA: Paint your garlic for Halloween
I Love Produce at PMA: Paint your garlic for Halloween

West Grove, Pa.-based I Love Produce staff talked about its October Garlic Fest promotion with attendees at its virtual booth at Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit 2020.