Retailers expect big things from IFPA Global Produce and Floral Show
The International Fresh Produce Association Global Produce and Floral Show is taking place later this month and excitement is already in full bloom. The Packer recently connected with retailers planning to attend the much-anticipated show to learn what they hope to gain from the Orlando event.
Marc Goodman is the director of produce and floral for Morton Williams Supermarkets, Bronx, N.Y., which has 15 stores in New York City and one in New Jersey. He has high expectations for the IFPA event.
“It’s good to get back to shows,” he said. “I’ve been going to shows but the turnouts haven’t been great. It’s good to see people you’ve been talking to on the phone and emailing [but] haven’t seen for a couple of years.”
The networking is important, Goodman added. “This business is all about relationships so it’s good to have a face to the voice or a face to the email.” Most of these people you see once or twice a year. It’s nice to see people I’ve known for a long time, and good to meet new ones, too.”
Michael Emery, produce category director for 185-store Hannaford Supermarkets, Scarborough, Maine, will attend the show and is “most excited about connecting with our vendor partners, and seeing what new trends and products are being developed for the produce industry.”
Discovering innovation from both a product and technology standpoint is propelling Jeff Cady, vice president of produce and floral, Tops Markets, Williamsville, N.Y., to the IFPA show this year.
Chris Keetch will represent The Giant Company of Carlisle, Pa., which has 190 stores, at the IFPA show. The director of produce and floral “is most excited to connect with suppliers to learn more about their product assortment and new offerings.” The show is also, he says, “an opportunity to learn about innovative technology and practices that will strengthen our commitment to deliver fresh, high-quality produce to our consumers.”
The IFPA show will be especially exciting for Hy-Vee, West Des Moines, Iowa, because two produce managers will be receiving Produce Manager of the Year awards. This is “such an incredible honor,” says Jeff Mallory, vice president of produce for the company, which has more than 285 stores.
Mimmo Franzone, vice president of merchandising for 38-store Longo Brothers Fruit Market in Ontario, Canada, is most excited about “reconnecting with all our industry partners that we haven’t been able to connect with in person for the past couple years.” He also really enjoys seeing “the new and unique products our industry has to offer.”
Andrew Reist, the produce buyer for the two-store Jungle Jim’s International Market, which is headquartered in Fairfield, Ohio, is looking forward to talking to growers about crop updates, he says. “With the record heat, water shortage, and continuing strain on the supply chain, the future in the produce industry is very fluid. As a buyer, I need to nail down some complex commodities with future ad planning and department sets.”
New finds
Goodman doesn’t attend shows expecting to find anything specific, but he is on the hunt.
“Usually something comes up from talking to people,” he explained. “You often find something, a new item, or a new person for an old item. I look for new items and trends. I keep my eyes open for anything, and usually find something.”
Convenience will be at the forefront of Emery’s mind as he scours the show floor, since that’s what he says Hannaford customers are looking for. He also hopes to find products and packaging that support the company’s sustainability goals.
Trade shows such as IFPA are invaluable for Hannaford, said Emery. “Our team has found a great deal of benefit in the educational sessions available at trade shows, which provides us with a deeper understanding of the produce industry’s ever-changing landscape and helps us plan for the future. We also enjoy getting a first-hand look at innovation underway in the industry, as well as being exposed to new suppliers or products we can share with our customers.”
Jungle Jim’s Reist says his focus “will be on packaging and product sustainability.”
Sustainability is also going to be top of mind for Hy-Vee’s Mallory. “There are some speakers focusing on sustainability in packaging,” he said. “This is something we have had a lot conversation about and [it’s] a very important part of the future in produce.”
He also enjoys finding new products, new sizes, packages, flavors and new growth areas. “This is where we can find great ideas to plan our strategy around,” he said.
Giant’s Keetch is looking for innovative produce and floral products “that meet the need of our customers and their lifestyle trends. We are looking for innovative products that will create meaningful meal experiences, no matter where or when families are able to gather around the dinner table.”
Franzone gets a kick out of finding products “that are truly unique and can really differentiate us in our very competitive market,” he says. “Over the years it’s consistently been our primary goal when attending the show.”
Relationship building
Keetch looks forward to connecting with suppliers “to learn more about their capabilities to deliver quality and consistent service on items.” He also hopes to see new products, packaging, and innovation that will inspire new in-store offerings.
“Connecting with suppliers gives us the opportunity to understand and better align our efforts to meet customer needs,” said Keetch. “Reviewing products in person gives us the opportunity to ask questions and gain valuable feedback to better understand products, product benefits, and how we can best tailor product offerings to meet the needs of today’s consumers.”
Tops Markets’ Cady agrees, since he hopes to experience “new products, networking and brainstorming with peers to drive sales for the foreseeable future. It will be interesting to see how the flow of the show goes,” he adds.
Mallory says he always finds new trends at shows, and he loves networking with new suppliers. “You can always learn something new about our industry even with just a 10-minute conversation,” he says.
He says he typically finds new partners and great deals from existing partners. “The innovation and fresh ideas have always been amazing at shows over the years,” he said.
Even though he works with fruits and vegetables, Franzone says he’s really in the relationship business.
“The products and stories, behind the faces and companies we deal with, are what drives the sales and consumption of produce,” said Franzone. “Continuing to build on the strong relationships we have and starting new ones that can grow into similar stories, are priceless when it comes to attending trade shows.”
Jungle Jim’s Reist is excited “to see what new tech is hitting the industry, fueled by new market data and statistics on current agriculture in real-time, he says. This will include innovation, new merchandising techniques, and new logistical options.
But networking and building relationships with growers and shippers is really important, too, he points out. “This is such a non-face-to-face industry; we do quite a bit of buying over the phone, email and text, and it’s hard to build relationships over those platforms. You need a more personal relationship with the growers and shippers for when there are the eventual quality problems we all face. When [things happen] you have to have a good relationship with them, and you have to have trust both ways.”
A new beginning
Reist is keen to get to the show. “The floor plan is intense; I'm excited for some of the talks, and I can't wait to see what new ideas I can garner and bring back to my stores.”
“These two organizations, [referring to PMA and United Fresh] together will form the best show we have ever seen,” says Hy-Vee’s Mallory. “I am very excited to attend this year. The information and experience will definitely have a positive impact on our company.”
Franzone agrees. “I’m super excited to see what these two great associations have come up with for The Global Produce and Floral Show. I’m also super confident that the show will be the best yet and the industry will continue to flourish after our time in Orlando.”
