IFPA Foodservice 2022 boasts big buyer presence

The International Fresh Produce Association’s Foodservice Conference, July 28-29 in Monterey, Calif., is an event full of connection possibilities for both buyers and suppliers.

The event features an agenda that includes field tours, buyer sourcing meetings and the Fresh Ideas showcase,  which highlights the newest innovations in produce for foodservice. 

The July 28 general session speaker is Robert Irvine, the star of Food Network's "Restaurant: Impossible." Winners of the Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards Program will be recognized during the July 28 general session, according to a news release. 

On July 29, the morning general session will include author and speaker Leslie Sbrocco, Taylor Farms CEO Bruce Taylor, Wholesome Wave founder Michel Nischan and culinary director Vincent Huynh, the release said.

The Foodservice Produce Expo is set from 11 a.m. Pacific to 4:30 p.m. on July 29., the release said.

The Expo features growers-shippers and processors, transportation companies, technology providers and those with packaging solutions, and serves as a one-stop shop for the over 100 buyer companies in attendance, the release said. 

Buyers attending Foodservice 2022 can be found here. 

The list of buyers includes Chick-fil-A Inc, Hello Fresh, US Foods, Stanford University and K-12 representatives from several school districts such as Los Angeles Unified School District, Detroit Public Schools, Houston Independent School District, Seattle Public Schools and more, the release said.

“The Foodservice Conference is the premier place for Foodservice buyers and suppliers in produce to connect, create new partnerships and explore new trends and products,” Joe Watson, IFPA vice president and foodservice lead, said in the release. “There’s no other event that is solely dedicated to putting produce on the plate at Foodservice. We know that produce should be half the plate and that doesn’t just mean at home. I’m looking forward to being back at the Bay to bring the best of produce to Foodservice menus.” 

The exhibitor map is available online.

All exhibitors are entered into the Best of Show Contest, where a lineup of judges will choose the top three booth and product promos at the show, the release said.