Seen and heard at GOPEX 2025 — Part 1

AVENTURA, Fla. — The JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort was the scene for GOPEX 2025, held January 13-14, 2025. Industry leaders from throughout the fresh produce supply chain kicked off the year with great conversations and, of course, great produce.

Matthew Systema, senior vice president of procurement at Andrew and Sons, a grower-packer-shipper of commercial potatoes, onions, broccoli and carrots, said GOPEX 2025 is a great place to talk strategic relationships in lettuce and tropicals. Systema said the prime business area for Hapco Farms is the East Coast. The company has its own repacking and sorting facilities.

“We want to make sure we're hitting customers' expectations,” Systema said.

Ryan Roth, a grower for Florida-based Ray's Heritage, said he grows lettuce, celery, cilantro and romaine. He said he's seen more retailers wanting to work with distributors and growers that have an East Coast presence.

Roth said his family has been growing lettuce and cilantro since the 1940s. He said many ag businesses moved to California in the 1970s to capitalize on the Golden State's more predictable weather.

Florida-grown produce offers East Coast retailers a cost advantage with shipping, Roth said.

And, “I don't buy water,” he said.

The reintroduction of New Zealand-grown kiwifruit was a major talking point at Zespri's booth.

Debbie Rogers, national account manager with Zespri, said she expects supplies to start in early May, noting there's ample promotional opportunities for the upcoming season. She also talked about Zespri's launch of the Kiwi Brothers marketing with GOPEX visitors.

“As soon as they're available, they want them back on shelves,” Rogers said about retailers looking forward to the upcoming season.

Chili peppers from Immokalee, Fla., were a hot topic for visitors to the Florida-based Ark Foods' booth.

“We're focused on specialty chilies and farmer's market varietals of tomatoes,” said Hunter Camps, senior director of sales with Ark Foods.

Camps said the operation has farms throughout the East Coast. Arc Foods recently launched tote bags of its peppers.

Camps said each bag features recipes and suggested uses, which helps the consumer understand what to do with the company's produce.

Brad Ryan, regional sales manager with Mariani Nut Co., said the company showcased its kettle-cooked walnuts as well as its new organic whole almonds and shelled walnuts.

Ryan said Mariani Nut Co. had started offering private-label organic walnuts and organics due to lower supply early on.

“We didn't have the acreage [to do them ourselves], but now we do,” he said.

Your next read: Consumers want value, health benefits when shopping