Welcome to Fresh Marketplace

Leadership, Honors and Business Networking Characterize Fresh Marketplace There was never an idle moment at the United Fresh Marketplace show in Chicago. Industry members heard first-class speakers and panelists on retail, foodservice and food safety issues at the Saturday produce short courses. Click here to access the various short course presentations.

More than 550 industry members came together, the next day during the Sunday opening reception, to recognize industry leaders at all levels. The Produce Industry Leadership Class 12 graduated with Keith Johnson from Kroger giving the class’ farewell speech. "Over the past year we have come to know ourselves as much as we have one another and we are ready to contribute to our communities, our companies and our industry," said Johnson. Next, Lance Jungmeyer, editor of The Packer, presented Joe Pezzinni, Ocean Mist, with the 2007 Packer Person of The Year award. Joe was recognized for his tremendous work on behalf of the industry in the area of food safety. In his acceptance speech, he thanked The Packer and humbly noted that he "was just doing what anyone in the industry would have done in the same situation." The Sunday banquet finished with over 120 retailers joining the industry to recognize the 2007 Retail Produce Manager Award winners for their work on the produce industry’s front line.

On Monday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns walked the Fresh Marketplace expo floor, visiting with United Fresh exhibitors. He also met with about 100 United Fresh volunteer leaders that morning to discuss the Administration's support for the fruit and vegetable industry in the 2007 Farm Bill. After visiting with a number of fruit and vegetables farmers from around the country over the past two years, it is evident that Secretary Johanns has been a stalwart supporter of increased equity in funding for specialty crops.

The business networking continued Monday night at the Reception Honoring Women in Produce, during which the honoree, Jan DeLyser, described her passion for the produce industry and encouraged others to live each day with a passion for what they do.

An estimated 20,000 show attendees, including growers, shippers, wholesalers, buyers, input suppliers, food service operators, chefs, retailers and media from around the world, visited the 2007 Fresh Marketplace expo hall.

In 2008, the Fresh Marketplace show will be co-located with FreshTech and The FMI Show, May 4-7 in Las Vegas, NV.

1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20006
202.303.3400
info@unitedfresh.org