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SPOUSES, COMPANIONS SAVOR LUXURIOUS DAY IN BIG APPLE
While the breakfast and trade show were in full swing at the Javits Center, spouses and companions of attendees enjoyed a day of pampering at the New York Midtown Hilton, high tea at the Plaza Hotel and a trip to Macy’s near Bryant Park.
Fran Gruskin, the former personal assistant to show founder Jim Prevor, hosted the spouses and companions at the Hilton’s Park Suite, where they received a spa morning that included massages, manicures and make- up, as well as a continental breakfast that featured choc- olate-covered strawberries and champagne.
In addition to the bus tour to Macy’s, the partners got to experience high tea at the iconic Plaza Hotel.
CONSUMER MEDIA GAINS INSIGHT INTO UNIQUE PRODUCTS AT NYPS ‘CONNECT WITH FRESH’ LUNCHEON
More than 60 representatives from consumer media outlets explored unique and trending fresh produce items and issues during a luncheon and presenta- tion at the New York Produce Show and Conference on Dec. 12, 2018. Journalists from cooking magazines, food blogs, radio programs, news services and TV spent one-on-one time with produce industry experts, including sponsors Del Monte Fresh Produce, Melissa’s/World Variety and co-partner of the event, the Produce for Better Health Foundation.
To begin the event, Emanuel Lazopoulos, vice president for Del Monte Fresh, Coral Gables, FL, presented the company’s new pineapples and shared usage ideas for them. Lazopoulos also introduced lunch attendees to sister company, Mann Packing’s new Caulilini product and talked about the need for continued innovation in the industry.
Robert Schueller, director of public rela- tions for Melissa’s, Los Angeles, presented key specialty produce trends for lunch attendees to consider. He shared what consumers are expected to buy in super- markets across the United States in 2019.
BY JODEAN ROBBINS
Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, president and chief executive of Produce for Better Health Foundation.
Schueller explained Melissa’s top 10 current trending items include baby Dutch yellow potatoes, baby red potatoes, ginger, steamed lentils, dragon fruit, steamed beets, ruby gold potatoes, chayote squash, red papaya and jackfruit. He also mentioned up-and-coming items such as celery root, watercress, hatch chiles, aloe vera leaves, petite baby bok choy and turmeric.
Special keynote speaker Wendy Rein- hardt Kapsak, MS, RDN, president and chief executive of the Produce for Better Health (PBH) Foundation, presented “A Love Letter to Fruit and Vegetable Haters Everywhere,” highlighting PBH’s purpose.
She pointed out how, on average, people are still only eating half of the recom- mended fruits and vegetables each day. “Our goal is to help people enjoy more fruits and vegetables for a happier, healthier life,” she said.
During Reinhardt Kapsak’s remarks, she revealed new research insights to inspire the desire to change at fruit and vege- table consumption trends and to prompt action to create more produce- lled meals and snacks. She nalized the discussion with the need to consider three areas for increasing consumer behavior: What people know, what people feel and what people do.
The program also introduced attendees to Brighter Bites, a nonpro t initiative creating community health through fresh food. Co-founder Lisa Helfman discussed the organization’s goal to change eating behavior among children and families and mitigate food waste. After the lunch, media representatives interacted with more than 400 produce companies at the exposition, sat in on educational microssesions and viewed multiple chef demos during the day.
NYPS18 JANUARY 2019 / PRODUCE BUSINESS
‘Good news for us ... The future is fresh.’ — Jelger de Vriend, Innovative Fresh