Seen and heard at GOPEX, part 5

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Hey, we're not finished yet with the photos and news of what happened at the Global Organic Produce Expo at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Jan. 31-Feb. 1.

The show was intimate enough for people to make the connections they planned on, either by chance or through the BizMatch program, pairing suppliers and buyers in one-on-one meetings.

At the trade show, Arthuro Jimenez and KJ Peraza of TruFresh Produce, based in Nogales, Ariz., featured their company's organic produce, including bell peppers, summer squash, jalapeños, grapes, tomatoes and melons.

"We're jumping into citrus, maybe by next August," Jimenez said. The company grows and sells organic and conventional vegetables and fruit.

Retailers including those from Wakefern Food Corp., The Fresh Market, Misfits Market, SpartanNash, Giant Food, The Natural Market, MOM'S Organic Market and more attended the show.

Rob Greenwood of RPE, which has the Tasteful Selections and Farmer's Promise brands, talked about commodity potatoes as well as premium potatoes, which are often the smaller, bite-sized varieties.

"Our Farmer's Promise national brand is doing exceptionally well," he said. "The brand is outpacing other conventional and organic labels." The company is starting to place air-frying recipes on packaging, as this cooking method has become so popular, he said.

He liked the GOPEX panel sessions. "The social panel was helpful, learning about the power of influencers," Greenwood said.

Dennis Jackson of USA Pears, or Pear Bureau Northwest, shared about all the programs the organization is doing, including a February promotion of red pears due to Valentine's Day. "Red pears are sweeter than other varieties," Jackson said.

The pear crop is doing well; there's a good market for them and a lot of promotions planned, he said. USA Pears is also working on training the retail community on pears with in-person lessons and more.