PBH connects produce industry with retail dietitians and foodservice leaders at IFPA's Global Produce and Floral Show

After a two-year hiatus, the Produce for Better Health Foundation is again bringing more than 20 influential retail dietitians and foodservice leaders to its 2022 Retail & Foodservice Immersion Event.

The event is held alongside the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show, taking place October 26-29, in Orlando, Fla.

For more than a decade, PBH has remained committed to bridging the gap among retail dietitians, the produce industry and, most importantly, the consumer, according to a news release.

New in 2022, PBH will bring a group of foodservice leaders to further support the industry’s need to meet consumers where they are prompted to choose fruits and vegetables at the point of purchase. This signature PBH event provides these influential retail and foodservice leaders with access to the latest produce innovations, new consumer research and insights, as well as tools to inspire new fruit and vegetable consumption habits online, in-store and in foodservice establishments across America.

“PBH is thrilled to be back in-person supporting one of the industry’s largest tradeshows, as well as connecting produce companies directly with consumers through the various points of influence — including at the point of sale (retail) and at the point of flavor (culinary and foodservice),” Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, president and CEO of PBH, said in the printed news release. “The goal of this signature PBH event is to provide retail and foodservice leaders with actionable education and intimate networking experiences that inspire them to get creative with fruits and vegetables, and take back ideas and solutions that help drive produce consumption and purchases in their stores, in e-commerce and in dining establishments nationwide.”  

 The PBH Retail & Foodservice Immersion Event offers an array of educational and experiential programs throughout four days, the release said.

Education sessions offer timely topics such as new PBH research and consumer insights; experiences such as "Powerful Produce Pairing" tastings; a private, chef-led vegetable immersion culinary experience and dinner; and focus groups centered around retail and foodservice promotion, activation and collaboration ideas for future success, the release said.

The program will culminate with prescheduled booth visits on the IFPA show floor for produce leaders to share new products, sustainable packaging innovations and other consumer-centric initiatives with retail and foodservice officials, according to the release. PBH will “cover” the show floor and amplify the experience on social media for consumers to get a taste of what’s new and what’s next in produce.

“This year’s event is particularly exciting because it immerses a new group of retail dietitians and foodservice leaders into the world of produce. Uniting these groups drives collaboration — and profits — with meaningful promotions that inspire life-changing habits and behavior change among today’s consumers,” Sharese Roper, industry and partner engagement senior director for PBH, said in the release. “This is a powerful opportunity for industry leaders to tell their story, unveil new products and share key insights that will directly influence shopper and diner decisions across the nation, efficiently and effectively from the show floor. This is a win-win for all and, most importantly, the common consumer like me striving to be happier and healthier each day.”
 
“At PBH, we are focused on elevating fruit and vegetable consumption as a national priority. We know eating more fruits and vegetables is the single-most important action Americans’ can take to live happier, healthier lives,” Kapsak said in the release. “We can’t do this alone. We’re proud to partner with our sponsors on this event where we can connect influencers with the produce industry in order to make an impact. Together, through the Have A Plant Movement, we can truly inspire lifelong fruit and vegetable consumption habits at every eating occasion, every day.”

2022 Retail & Foodservice Immersion Event participating retailers: 

• Big Y Foods Inc.
• Coborn’s Inc.
• Fresh Thyme
• The Giant Co.
• Harmons Grocery Stores
• H-E-B
• The Kroger Co.
• Loblaws
• Natural Grocers
• Rouses Supermarkets
• ShopRite — Inserra Supermarkets Inc.
• Stop & Shop Companies Inc.
• The United Family
• Wegman’s Food Markets Inc.
• Weis Markets Inc.

 2022 Retail & Foodservice Immersion Event Foodservice leaders from: 

• Bloomin’ Brands
• Chartwells, the Education Division of Compass Group, North America
• Compass Group, North America
• Little Ceasar’s
• Sodexo
• UMass Dining
• Yale Hospitality

 2022 Retail & Foodservice Immersion Event sponsors as of Aug. 15 include: 

• Chelan Fresh
• Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc.
• Michigan Apple Committee
• Pear Bureau Northwest
• Seneca Foods
• Stemilt Growers LLC
• The Wonderful Company 

PBH staff will also be on-site at the Global Produce & Floral Show to discuss strategic partnerships and PBH sponsorships with those interested in engaging for 2023 business success, according to the release. For more information about PBH’s events and programming, contact Sharese Roper, industry and partner engagement senior director, at sroper@pbhfoundation.org.