2022 Year in Produce: International Fresh Produce Association
It was quite a year for the International Fresh Produce Association — especially considering it the first year ever for the behemoth industry group of 3,000 members worldwide.
For years, there was talk of merging United Fresh Produce Association and Produce Marketing Association.
And in 2022, it finally happened.
More than the lobbying, education, resources and training — it was the Global Produce and Floral Show that stirred up the most excitement about IFPA. At least, that’s what our data on our most popular IFPA stories show. The top-ranking IFPA articles all happened in October and November, and they all covered the Global Show, before, during and after.
That Orlando, Fla., event truly was the year’s The Big Show.
Jan. 4, 2022
International Fresh Produce Association begins
January marked the beginning of the largest produce industry association representing the interests, individuals and organizations across the global supply chain.
The association was led by co-CEOs Cathy Burns and Tom Stenzel. The IFPA Executive Committee was led by IFPA Chairman Bruce Taylor, CEO of Taylor Farms. Laura Himes, divisional merchandise manager for produce at Walmart, served as chair-elect and Patrick Vizzone, head of food, beverage and agribusiness at ANZ Banking, was secretary-treasurer.
Feb. 25, 2022
International Fresh Produce Association names Cathy Burns sole CEO
By Jennifer Strailey
The new International Fresh Produce Association named Cathy Burns its singular CEO effective March 31. Tom Stenzel, currently co-CEO and past president of United Fresh Produce Association, moved into a consulting role, working closely with Burns through June 2022.
March 31 marked a year since the two former boards of directors announced the merger plan to bring UFPA and PMA together on Jan. 1, 2022.
March 3, 2022
The IFPA puts agricultural impact of Ukraine-Russia war into focus
By Jennifer Strailey
This story ran on Day 8 of the war, when it wasn’t clear yet how much U.S. growers would be impacted by the lack of — and skyrocketing prices of — fertilizer. Fertilizer is one of the biggest expenses for many farmers, and Russia is the world’s top fertilizer exporter.
But an interview with Max Teplitski, chief science officer of the International Fresh Produce Association, helped address the questions swimming in many minds.
Considered the “breadbasket of Europe,” Ukraine is one of the largest agricultural producers of wheat, corn and oil seeds, he said. But the European Union is Ukraine’s main trade partner, comprising about half of its agricultural trade.
In terms of U.S. horticultural exports to Ukraine, it’s almonds, vegetable and grain seeds, as well as pesticides, that will be most impacted by the war, Teplitski said.
As planting season approached in Ukraine, the impact of the war on U.S. agriculture was expected to be felt by seed and agricultural input producers, as those were the highest-ticket items that are being exported from the U.S. to Ukraine.
Oct. 26, 2022
Photos: Take the retail tour at IFPA's Global Produce & Floral Show
By Amy Sowder
The produce retail tour on Oct. 26th show in Orlando sold out two tour busses and had a waiting list.
Participants visited three stores: Freshfields Farm, which has two Florida locations and a third on the way; Whole Foods Market, running 537 stores in 47 states; and Sprouts Farmers Market, with more than 380 stores in 23 states.
Joe Watson, IFPA’s vice president of foodservice and retail, said the event was an on-the-scene look into a variety of produce retail strategies and formats in the Orlando area.
“We host the retail tour each year as a way to showcase what’s fresh and new in produce and floral at local retail stores. The hope is that those attending can come away inspired with new and innovative merchandising ideas,” Watson said.
Oct. 27, 2022
‘Our time is now,’ says IFPA CEO Cathy Burns
By Jennifer Strailey
IFPA CEO Cathy Burns took the stage at the inaugural Global Show for a rousing state of the industry address. Burns said she saw a number of challenges and opportunities shaping the future of fresh produce.
She detailed continuing and coming trends, challenges and opportunities, which included virtual fruit and vegetables; food as medicine; sustainability and food waste; rising cost of food; labor woes. Then she gave a call to action to the industry.
Nov. 1, 2022
Top trends at inaugural IFPA Global Produce and Floral Show, part 1
By Jennifer Strailey
With just over one buyer for every three attendees and 217 first-time exhibitors, IFPA’s Global Show offered “a critical opportunity to make connections and create new partnerships,” according to a news release. IFPA said attendees hailed from about 40 countries.
Trending topics on the show floor involved inflation, climate change, sustainability, controlled environment agriculture, labor, technology, new varieties, the power of social media, snacking, convenience and packaging trends.
Companies that shared such news included iTrade Network, The Oppenheimer Group, or Oppy, California Avocado Commission, Pure Flavor, Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., Chilean Fresh Fruit Exporters Association and Fresh Farms.
Dec. 6, 2022
International Fresh Produce Association reflects on year one
By Kristin Leigh Lore
“2022 will always be a special year to me,” IFPA CEO Cathy Burns said in a video address. “That’s the year that IFPA took flight.”
Burns said the organization kept its promises made early in the year, such as:
- Launched a strong return to in-person events, including the Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando, Fla.
- Ignited an active global network of 1,200 volunteers.
- Recognized individuals and organizations advancing the fresh produce industry with eight awards of excellence.
- Achieved policy milestones and furthered advocacy focused on nutrition, food safety, organics, supply chain, and workforce and immigration.
- Published Fruit and Vegetable Moonshot, an eight-point U.S. nutrition strategy.
- Hosted the Washington Conference to advance policy reach in Congress.
- Merged Produce for Better Health with The Foundation for Fresh Produce.
- Released several impactful research reports to support diverse member interests.
- Offered research and thought leadership on topics such as food safety, science and technological trends.
