Igniting innovation: IFPA leaders reveal 2023 show highlights

No matter what role you play in the global fresh produce supply chain, the industry is a powerful force to be reckoned with. Delivering a wide variety of quality, perishable fruits and vegetables from seed to shelf with consistency, efficiency and panache is often challenging work. For many, success and longevity in this dynamic industry comes down to the people.

Every year produce players from each step in the global supply chain gather at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show to learn, network, compare notes and get inspired about addressing challenges and opportunities in an industry that doesn’t quit.

“The Global Produce & Floral Show is the annual meet-up for every segment of the global fresh food system,” IFPA CEO Cathy Burns said in the briefing with reporters. “You can be standing in line for coffee with an industry award winner. You could be sharing an elevator with your next buyer.”

Burns, along with the current and incoming chairs of the IFPA board of directors, recently shared what to expect at this year's three-day conference, set for Oct. 19-21 in Anaheim, Calif. Their top takeaway? At this year’s Global Produce and Floral Show, technology and innovation will be front and center.

Spotlighting tech innovation in and outside fresh produce

“What I can say, in all honesty, is that right now there is an energy and an urgency bubbling up around our industry,” Burns said. “We have an opportunity as an industry to create change and grow consumption around the world.

“I think about it as, ‘We are a force of nature and a force for nature.’ The world has taken notice, and now we must act. [Attendees] are going to feel this sentiment strongly this year,” Burns continued. “We're excited to bring that to bear in partnership with our membership in the industry.”

John Anderson, 2024 IFPA board chair and CEO and managing partner at Oppy, said he’s excited that this year’s show will take place in sunny Anaheim.

“It's going to be the largest produce trade show we've seen in the United States — because we're now global — than we've ever had before,” Anderson said. “I’m excited to get this many people together to challenge and fix the problems we have around the world and looking ... forward to having everybody together once again.”

While technology, world-class speakers, educational experiences and networking opportunities have always been features of the IFPA’s Global Produce & Floral Show, Burns told reporters the 2023 show is doubling down on tech innovation, seeking inspiration and insights from change-makers in and outside of the fresh produce and floral industry.

“More than any other year that we've had, this show is about innovation,” she said. “As I think about the challenges facing the industry now, the acceleration of innovation for solutions to address challenges that we have, and what's happening in the tech world in general, you'll hear about how our speakers are focused on innovation and change-making in their fields. You'll also see a united effort to put innovation solutions front and center at the show.”

A pair of tech trailblazers — Apple co-founder of Steve Wozniak and Mineral CEO Elliott Grant — will share insights along with fresh produce industry leaders and innovators in panels and on the expo floor. In addition to showcasing an innovation hub at this year’s show, IFPA’s 12 Freshfield Catalyst Award-winning companies will be featured at the trade show along with a future tech pavilion that spotlights start-up and early-stage businesses.

“This year is all about innovation and letting technology — and honestly, entrepreneurial thinking — drive the way forward for our industry,” Burns said.

A time to reflect and set the 2024 agenda

In a farm bill year and on the heels of IFPA’s Washington Conference and the International Trade Forum, Laura Himes believes the time is now for fresh produce industry leaders to show up drive policy change. Himes is the 2023 IFPA board chair and Walmart's vice president of sourcing for fresh.

“I think one of the most impressive things about this produce industry is the leaders that we have. Being the leader in this industry isn't just about the title, it's about showing up, sharing the industry stories about our products, what it means for the world and why they're so important,” Himes said. “[The 2023 show] will really be a time to reflect on all of our accomplishments throughout the year, and then set the intentions for the for the years that come.”