New England Produce Council's Produce, Floral and Foodservice Expo 2024 is set to return to the Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, Mass., Aug. 19-20. Earlier this year, the hotel and spa venue was recognized with the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star distinction, an accolade the resort has now achieved every year it has been assessed.
Each year, produce companies look forward to returning to this regional show, where exhibitors say the event's size and networking opportunities make for a worthwhile gathering.
“We exhibit at NEPC because we feel it gives us great exposure to our current as well as new customers in the Northeastern markets,” Sloan Lott, director of sales for Sand Candy and Bland Farms, told The Packer. “The event consistently draws a significant crowd, providing us with a valuable platform to connect with our existing clients and keep them updated on our latest developments.
“Additionally, we aim to forge new relationships and explore opportunities with potential customers in the region, enhancing our presence and impact in the Northeast,” Lott continued.
New this year, NEPC will host a “Produce Feud” game show during the expo breakfast from 7:30-9 a.m. on Aug. 20.
“There will be six teams made up of buyers, vendors and other produce industry folks who will compete at the breakfast,” said Laura Sullivan of the NEPC. “It's going to be a lot of fun and I can already see from the emails I've received on this that it's going to be very competitive.”
In advance of this year's expo, The Packer recently connected with additional exhibitors to learn what they're looking forward to most.
“This show is important to us because we can interact with our current customers and potentially meet new ones,” said Nash Produce's Robin Narron. “Maintaining these relationships and possibly creating new ones is ultimately why we go to these shows. We want customers to know that we care about their business and will go out of our way to prioritize them and their needs.”
NEPC Produce, Floral and Foodservice Expo 20024 will also feature a roster of events, including the “Produce Feud,” as well as a variety of meet and greets.
“We will be participating in all events this show has to offer,” said Narron, who added that it is important to stay up to date on current trends and news within the industry. “We want to be an active player in the industry and there is nothing better than being able to network at these events and learn what is going on around us.”
And as sweetpotato season is around the corner, Nash Produce, Sand Candy and others are ready to talk crop set, rainfall, sandy soils and hot humid temperatures for the August harvest.
Game day promotions
At NEPC, fall and winter promotions will be a hot topic for Sand Candy Sweet Potato packaging.“We [plan to] showcase our Sand Candy Sweet Potato packaging, as well as our Gameday Promotion Bins,” said Lott of Sand Candy and Bland Farms. “These bins are part of our Gameday Sweetness Promotion that we will launch in August in partnership with Big Green Egg.”
The promotion is set to feature monthly giveaways, game day Sweetness recipes featuring Sand Candy Sweet Potatoes and Bland Farms Premium Sweet Onions, and in February, one grand prize winner will receive a Large Big Green Egg Grill.
“We're also excited to give attendees a sneak peek at our holiday bin promotion, which includes combo bins of Sand Candy Sweet Potatoes and Bland Farms Sweet Onions,” said Lott. “It's never too early for retailers to start planning for Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
Year-round supplies
And when it comes to promotional opportunities in produce, it's more than holidays that moves the needle.“We're particularly excited about the opportunity to share with everyone the great quality offerings we have with Sand Candy Sweet Potatoes and Bland Farms Premium Sweet Onions 52 weeks per year,” said Lott. “This expo is a fantastic platform for us to demonstrate how our year-round offerings can meet the diverse needs of the produce and foodservice sectors.
“Engaging with attendees and sharing insights about our consistent supply and product excellence is something we greatly anticipate,” Lott continued. “It's a chance to reinforce our commitment to quality and to connect with both current and potential customers. Engaging with attendees and hearing their feedback will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our offerings and build meaningful connections in the produce sector.”
What's new
Arrowfarms looks forward to featuring its lineup of Morning Kiss Organic Apples and highlighting its newest offering — the Tasty Trio — at NEPC.“The Tasty Trio fruit pack is a delectable 2-pound assortment of handpicked fruit and citrus,” said Alden Guptill of DiSilva Fruit.
Crafted with families in mind, this unique offering combines the convenience of small fruit sizes with a delightful variety of choices in every bag, ensuring that everyone in the family finds their favorite treat. Packaged in convenient resealable pouch bags, the Tasty Trio is available in both organic and conventional formats, the company said.
“We designed these products with families in mind — small fruit, resealable bags and attractive pricing,” said Nelly Czajkowski of DiSilva Fruit. “Feeding your family healthy food can be convenient and affordable.”
Convenience and variety resonate with shoppers
Convenient solutions in produce continue to reign supreme.“Busy families need options that not only provide nutrition but also fit seamlessly into their hectic schedules,” said Guptill. “The Tasty Trio offers the perfect solution by delivering a variety of high-quality fruits in a convenient package, saving time without compromising on flavor or freshness.”
Guptill says the NEPC show is one of the company's favorite events of the year.
“[NEPC is a great time to visit with our customers and colleagues from across New England and from away,” said Guptill. “This year our booth will feature samples of our product offerings as well as invite participants a chance to spin the Arrowfarm's roulette wheel of prizes and donations to our featured nonprofit, La Colaborativa.” (Visit la-colaborativa.org for details.)