Seen and heard at New York Produce Show — Part 1

NEW YORK — From the sublime local dancers who performed at the opening breakfast to the hot dog carts stationed throughout the show floor to the stacks of New York pizzas brought in for lunch, the 14th annual New York Produce Show and Conference once again delivered an only-in-the-Big-Apple experience for the approximately 5,000 attendees and 400 exhibitors who converged at the Javits Center, Dec. 5-7.

Out on the show floor, exhibitors were ready to discuss all things fresh produce.

Envy apples headed to the Big Apple with big apple news: The brand has established orchard operations in New York State. 

“It’s a pivotal moment for us in terms of growth of the variety and expansion in this important market,” said Cecilia Flores Paez.

Recent graftings successfully implemented last spring will expand the brand's geographical footprint creating local supply in the region, the company says.

Grown across five continents, Envy says it maintains the highest standards of quality and conditions to deliver a superior apple from orchard to market. By selecting prime locations in New York state, known for its rich soil and ideal climate conditions, Envy says it is continuing its tradition of growing its apples in the most desirable apple regions in the world.

Envy’s Jon Kiley says the New York-grown Envy apples should be commercially available in the next two to three years.

Hunts Point Market’s colorful booth touted important stats, including that it provides thousands of varieties of produce to 22 million people annually and supplies 60% of the produce for New York City. Since 2022 Hunts Point has received three rounds of funding totaling nearly $400 million, but approximately $250 million more is needed to fully modernize, says Phillip Grant, CEO of Hunts Point Produce Market, who remains “optimistic” about both reaching that goal and the year ahead.

Related: Hunts Point proud — Inside the predominantly family-run produce market feeding millions

At Baldor Specialty Foods, retiring President Michael Muzyk and Vice President of Merchandising Scott Crawford discussed the company’s focus on quality and flavorful value-added produce that takes labor out of the equation for its retail and foodservice customers.

But Baldor’s specialty isn’t only delivering value-added product, it’s delivering on service, said Crawford. The company delivers to its customers five, six and seven days a week and seeks to find solutions to whatever challenges its customers face. Crawford added that Baldor sees snack sizes of value-added, fresh-cut produce taking off.  

Related: Baldor President Michael Muzyk receives NYPS Lifetime Achievement Award

West Pak’s Jordan Fideler showed off the company’s new compostable net bags for avocados and discussed its sourcing of avocados from different countries including Colombia, Peru and Mexico.

At Joolies, Amanda Sains Harris showed off the company’s new line of Joolies Date Pops. The date and nut energy bites in stand-up pouches come in four varieties: Brownie, Peanut Butter Jelly, Lemon Bar and Cinnamon Bun. The product is launching at 178 Targets in January, Sains Harris said.

‘The New York Produce Show is very important to our organization and growers,” said Cynthia Haskins of the New York Apple Association, who emphasized its theme of “Big Flavor in the Big Apple.” The association seeks to provide a one-stop shop for retail and foodservice buyers. Beyond the show, the New York Apple Association is focused on being the first to know when new varieties come on board and is building a database to serve as an apple resource.

Related: New York Apple Association kicks off holiday campaign, sweepstakes

At D’Arrigo New York, Gabriela D’Arrigo enthusiastically welcomed the industry to the company’s hometown. “This is really an opportunity to see everyone we don’t get to see on a regular basis,” she said.

Coming together as an industry is critical, especially in these inflationary times.

There’s a lot of produce to push at the moment, said D’Arrigo, who sees inflation impacting holiday sales.

“Inflation is hitting all sides of the produce industry from growing to freight to packaging; it’s incremental, but it adds up and can have a big effect,” she said.

Related: The 2023 Packer 25 — Gabriela D'Arrigo