Travel is back. Mirroring the fresh produce supply chain, the travel industry’s delays, labor shortages, prices and cancellations are no joke.
Just ask one conference attendee who arrived two hours before a flight but almost missed it anyway because she stood in a never-ending line to get through security — at a small airport. (That would be me.) Many of us are out and about much more than we were in 2020 and 2021. And that changes our business. Some of it is a welcome return to the world of in-person relationships, meetings and handshakes — even hugs.
We crave a sense of community. As a consumer, I love to support the growers in my state, region and country while stressing our environment less. But I also love exploring less-familiar cultures through their food. So, when I heard Mimmo Franzone of Longo’s call this hybrid of consumer demand “glocal,” for global and local, (page 38) I was all in.
The convenience factor for travelers is also a big draw to packaged produce, whatever the price (page 8). And with all of today’s supply chain issues, maintaining quality control can be even tougher. See Armand Lobato’s primer (page 16) for some great guidance. Summer means personal travel, too — a time to lasso the family, load up the wagon and head for (the hills? Just kidding) vacation spots. That makes Joe Watson’s summer snacking article (page 26) particularly relevant.
And while you’re out at restaurants, do you dare to order a water with lemon? Read what Melissa Treolo has to say about that (page 20). Despite our more globalized lives, many of us still have much to discover, shown in shopper behavior about papayas, (page 6) detailed by Mike Mauti.
Apples are the epitome of near and far ethos: available across the U.S. and as far away as New Zealand. See how companies are showcasing apples on Instagram, (page 24) one of many social media platforms that unifies and separates us. But Instagram does it so beautifully, no?
Thank you for journeying through our pages.
Related: See the entire July-August PMG magazine issue here.
