GRAPEVINE, Texas — The 2023 Viva Fresh conference packed in three days of creative programming that included golf competitions, wine tours, educational sessions along with a bustling expo at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center March 30-April 1.

Relaunching the virtual farm tour, a highlight of Viva Fresh’s 2023 education sessions, included taking attendees into a muddy field of onions in the Rio Grande Valley region with the help of a camera crew and a friendly farmer, Wayne Reavus.

“Anyone who’s been in fresh produce for longer than a week knows that weather plays a role,” explained Dante Galeazzi, TIPA President and CEO, as cameramen followed Reavus trudging through thick mud to show conference attendees how onions are dried and cured in the field.

Related news: Record-breaking Viva Fresh touts healthy living with fresh produce

Another highlight included networking at InBloom’s “Challenge Accepted!” event, where produce industry leaders answered Jeopardy-style questions and offered advice on topics like leadership, relationship building, finding balance and amplifying their voices.

“Often, women events like these spotlight women not in the industry. We were excited to spotlight successful fresh produce women leaders this year,” Michelle Cortex, InBloom’s committee chairperson and sales director for Babia, told The Packer.

Seen on the expo floor

In addition to handing out SugarBee apples, Darrin Carpenter of Chelan Fresh shared excitement about this year’s cherry crop. He said the weather is looking favorable, but it could be a late start; it’s too early to know for sure.

Karen Guzman at Eagle Eye Produce said her team is getting ready to plant potatoes in Idaho and is excited to finally have a good season after two bad potato years.

“This is my first time in Texas,” said HLB Specialties’ Melissa Harmann de Barros.

The exotic fruit grower-shipper was excited to share guavas, rambutans, lychees and other tropic fruits with North American markets at this year’s Viva Fresh, Harmann de Barros said.

Not only will Bay Baby Produce have its standard winter squash this year, but it is also rolling out “pun-kins” — small decorative pumpkins with fall-inspired puns, said Michele Youngquist.

Related news: More photos from Viva Fresh 2023