How does the fresh produce industry earn the business and sustain the trust of today's conscious consumers committed to responsible purchasing?
The Packer's seventh annual GOPEX 2024 is the place to explore this intersection of fresh produce and conscious consumerism with industry leaders from across the supply chain.
In addition to a full schedule of fun, sun, networking opportunities and an innovation-filled expo floor, GOPEX offers a robust education program that dives deep into what drives this important and growing demographic.
Held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla., Jan. 22-24, this year's event kicks off with a poolside gathering followed by a yacht party on Fort Lauderdale's intracoastal waterway sponsored by CMI Orchards, IMOK Global LLC, John Greene Logistics, Mariani Nut Co. and Trinity Fruit.
Jan. 23 is a day of education that will dig into a range of topics from the shopping habits of the conscious consumer to organics to regenerative agriculture and more. The education program is slated to culminate in a general session — “Conscious Leadership Unleashed: Me, We, Us” — led by Vaishali Japhav, leadership development instructor for the Kendra Scott Women's Entrepreneurial Institute. Packed with the latest products and innovations in fresh produce, the expo floor will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 24.
From left, Mike Weaver, Dayka and Hackett; Josh Hardester and Anthony Chanka, Giant Food enjoy Miami's Intercoastal Waterway during GOPEX 2023's yacht tour. (Photo: Jennifer Strailey)
Making connections
The intimacy of the expo floor provides another opportunity for retailers, suppliers and allied services to network, share ideas and plan for the year ahead.
“I've been involved in conventional produce for many years, but I'm relatively new to the organics category,” said Glenn Johnson, category manager for Wakefern Food Corp., Keasbey, N.J. “GOPEX gives me the opportunity to meet with industry leaders and suppliers one-on-one to discuss grower challenges and discover retail opportunities for our stores.
“I especially enjoy the expo floor where I can meet vendors and see what's coming in the future,” Johnson added.
The Packer and Produce Market Guide's BizMatch Plus sessions offer yet another space for retailers and suppliers to connect at GOPEX 2024. The sessions are designed to empower suppliers to share the latest info on their business and products, and educate produce buyers on trends, market dynamics and more.
“What I love about GOPEX is it's a small show with a big punch,” said Tonya Morel, senior sourcing manager for FreshRealm, a San Clemente, Calif.-based meal solutions company. “The educational sessions are informative, and the BizMatch is time well spent to vet new suppliers. The team goes out of their way to accommodate attendees, and it's one of my favorite shows to attend throughout the year.”
GOPEX attracts an audience invested in driving the fresh produce industry forward.
“I thoroughly enjoy attending GOPEX each year. It's a great chance to connect and meet with produce industry contacts — old and new — and offers the opportunity to learn more about the companies that continue to drive the organic produce industry forward,” said Brian Dey, senior merchandiser and natural stores coordinator with Ephrata, Pa.-based Four Seasons Produce.
“I am really looking forward to this year's event again, attending the education sessions, seeing new products and meeting new people at the BizMatch sessions,” Dey continued.
GOPEX offers ample opportunity for face-to-face connections, both for current business relationships and establishing new ones. (File photo)
Quality time, quality products
GOPEX strives to provide a gathering place for elevated and inspired conversation, content and fresh produce.
Tal Shoshan, CEO of Ontario, Calif.-based FiveStar Gourmet Foods, says he's most looking forward to seeing the latest trends and innovations in the organic produce industry at GOPEX 2024. He says the event also serves as a great opportunity to network with key players in the organic produce industry.
“GOPEX serves as a crucial platform for networking with key players in the organic produce sector, staying updated on industry advancements, and fostering partnerships that contribute to the growth and sustainability of our fresh food company,” he said.
A key part of attending GOPEX for Shoshan is what he takes back to his business after attending the yearly event.
“It's a source of inspiration and a catalyst for strategic decision-making within our business,” he said. “Attending GOPEX provides invaluable insights into emerging market dynamics, access to cutting-edge technologies, and a chance to engage in meaningful discussions with industry leaders.”
Shoshan says GOPEX is a must-attend event for anyone with a vested stake in the organic produce industry.
“It offers a unique opportunity to stay abreast of industry trends, forge valuable connections, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the organic produce landscape,” he said. “The knowledge and connections gained at GOPEX can significantly impact the success and sustainability of one's business.”
Visit FiveStar Gourmet Foods at GOPEX booth No. 116.
Great Lakes Greenhouses is also looking forward to the opportunities GOPEX 2024 will bring.
“GOPEX is an amazing show that we look forward to each year,” said Jeff Richardson, vice president sales for Great Lakes Greenhouses of Leamington, Ontario. “It allows companies the opportunity to connect with many of their current partners and learn more about new ones.
“Show attendees want to be at the show and you get valuable time to truly understand the needs, challenges and complexities of buyers,” he continued. “Each year the GOPEX team continues to elevate the bar and provide an outstanding show.”
Richardson says Great Lakes Greenhouses plans to feature its key propriety products this year, including organic peppers and conventional minis.
“We are doubling our organic pepper acreage in 2024 to better accommodate our partners growing demand for this product,” Richardson said. “We are also increasing our lit mini [cucumber] production this year. Both categories are performing extremely well and have been causing gaps in our buyers' programs. So, we have invested into these two commodities heavily to ensure we can meet the growing demand.”
The expo floor will again feature myriad exhibitors. (File photo)
Great Lakes Greenhouses has a story tell conscious consumers. The company says it runs completely off the grid, producing 100% of the electricity it uses in-house via an efficient co-generation system run on natural gas.
The greenhouse grower also recovers all the heat from its modern boilers and uses it to heat a portion of its greenhouses, as reducing its carbon footprint continues to be a primary focus, Richardson said. Other sustainability efforts include purifying and recycling all water used in its operations and producing its own beneficial insects.
Visit Great Lakes Greenhouses at GOPEX booth No. 406.
“We look forward to attending GOPEX each year as an opportunity to not only kick off a new year, but to reinforce the importance of our vast greenhouse-grown organic product offering to key retailers throughout North America,” said Chris Veillon, chief marketing officer for Pure Flavor. “Many consumers commit to new/improved eating plans as part of their New Year's resolutions, bringing organics back to top of mind at a key time of the year helps raise awareness of availability.”
To support GOPEX and promote its attendance, Pure Flavor has created a custom landing page for the trade show at pure-flavor.com/gopex2024.
Veillon says the Leamington, Ontario-based greenhouse grower will feature its organic tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers at GOPEX 2024.
“This is one show not to be missed,” said Veillon, pointing to the education-packed program and compelling roster of speakers.
Visit Pure Flavor at GOPEX booth No. 312.
North Bay Produce is ready to kick off the 2024 show season by participating in GOPEX says Sharon Robb, national marketing manager for the Traverse City, Mich.-based supplier.
Robb says the show is an excellent opportunity to showcase the firm's organic berry program, noting that this is its fifth year as a platinum sponsor of the show.
“At the event, we will be focusing on our organic blueberries, which are always a hot topic of conversation,” Robb said. “Additionally, this year we will also be discussing our increased production of organic strawberries.”
Robb says the GOPEX show is a good chance to see customers after the holiday season.
“We enjoy meeting our customers face-to-face shortly after the holidays, and this event is an excellent opportunity to connect with several customers at once,” Robb said. “The event offers informative sessions and engaging speakers, along with exciting and creative activities that create a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for both customers and vendors.”
Visit North Bay Produce at GOPEX booth No. 218.
Steven Beltram, co-owner of TendWell Farm in Asheville, N.C., said the 100% organic farm will promote its Mountain Magic tomatoes at its GOPEX booth No. 120. Mountain Magic tomatoes will be a summer release for the farm.
“Mountain Magic tomatoes are cocktail-size tomatoes that were bred in the mountains of western North Carolina for maximum sweet flavor and superior quality,” he said.
He says GOPEX is an important event, noting it's a chance to connect with customers and colleagues dedicated to the organic produce industry.
“Having the opportunity to participate in a trade show dedicated to organic produce that takes place annually in the Southeast is a perfect fit for us to network with customers and colleagues who are interested in organics,” he said. “GOPEX is a perfect event for anyone interested in networking with retail professionals and shippers dedicated to building the organic movement.”
Fox Packaging will display its Signature Fox Fresh Mesh line at The Packer's GOPEX 2024. (Photo courtesy of Fox Packaging)
New products, new packaging
McAllen, Texas-based Fox Packaging will display its Signature Fox Fresh Mesh line at GOPEX 2024 booth No. 411.
The line is a high-quality choice for fresh produce packaging, says Jen Doxey, director of sales for Fox Packaging.
“This line has a non-abrasive mesh design that gives many benefits, such as enhanced ventilation to keep the products fresh and prevent spoilage; improved visibility to showcase the quality and appeal of the products; and increased durability to protect the products from damage and ensure easy handling,” Doxey said. “It can suit various products, from apples to potatoes to peppers, and it can be changed with different colors, sizes and labels to build a family of packaging applications that strengthens brand recognition and consumer loyalty.
In addition, Fox Solutions supports automation that can handle a wide range of mesh bags, whether they are formed, filled, sealed, stacked, heat-closed, clipped, labeled, flow-wrapped or a bulk bag.
Understanding the packing facility of customers allows the Fox team to develop full-scope solutions that are designed to support the circular economy by reducing waste, saving resources and promoting recyclability, Doxey says.
Fox Packaging views trade shows as a valuable opportunity to connect with its customers and showcase its innovative solutions for flexible packaging, Doxey says.
“We know that many brands are facing the challenge of balancing environmental responsibility and consumer expectations, and we are here to help them navigate this complex landscape,” she said. “We want to be more than a supplier, but a partner who can offer customized solutions that meet your sustainability goals and enhance your product's performance.”
One of the topics Fox Packaging will highlight at its booth is how its flexible packaging solutions contribute to the circular economy, she says.
“Our products are designed to reduce food waste, extend shelf life and be compatible with the store drop-off stream,” Doxey said. “We work closely with our film suppliers to ensure that our products meet the highest standards of quality.”
GOPEX 2024 attendees will have opportunities to learn from industry experts during several sessions planned for the event. (File photo)
Educational programing
Sara Neagu-Reed, director of production and environmental policy for the International Fresh Produce Association, says she looks forward to being a part of a larger conversation around organics and the fresh produce supply chain.
Neagu-Reed will be a part of the “Communicating the Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule to Consumers” panel at GOPEX. She says this panel, held on Jan. 23 from 10:40-11:20 a.m., will help attendees become better prepared as this rule takes effect.
“The new rule impacts the full supply chain of the fresh produce industry,” she said. “It's vital the industry is aware of the ins and outs of this new rule and how they should begin complying before the enforcement date to ensure our industry continues to grow and profit.”
Negau-Reed says events such as GOPEX help promote the organic produce industry and connect those invested in its future. She says she hopes those attending the panel will feel connected and supported.
“I believe our collective goal is to empower consumers with confidence in their organic purchases while simultaneously creating a supportive environment for organic growers to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of fresh produce retail,” she said.
She says she's also looking forward to bringing back what she learned as a panelist and GOPEX attendee to IFPA to better inform its future efforts.
“Perspective is everything in my line of work, and through networking as well as the engagement I will have in serving as a panelist, I can take back the issues or concerns I hear about and apply them to the policy and regulatory activities happening at the federal level that impact our growing sector of organic food and agriculture,” she said.