Sustainability is one of the hottest topics in the food and beverage industry today. For the fresh produce industry, it's even more critical to increase consumption, sales, longevity and relevancy.
While many industry stakeholders know and love The Packer's West Coast Produce Expo — which takes place June 3-4 at the beautiful JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, Calif. — some may be less familiar with the co-located Sustainable Produce Summit and Best of SPS Marketing Awards, taking place just prior to WCPE on June 2.
The pandemic curtailed many in-person events in the last several years, including SPS, but this year we are excited to connect with the sustainable produce industry live in Palm Desert, where The Packer is set to gather industry leaders and experts across the supply chain, including growers, packers, shippers, innovators, retailers and more.
In celebration of reconnecting in person, admission to SPS is complimentary this year.
SPS Agenda at a Glance
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Registration is open
1:00pm - 1:40pm
Sustainable Agriculture: An Inside Look — As demand grows for sustainable fresh produce, greenhouse and vertical farming operations are answering the call and, as a result, experiencing rapid growth in the U.S. and abroad. An expert panel will discuss best practices, responsible farming, and the many contributions that indoor agriculture is making on the sustainability journey.
1:40 p.m. - 2:10 p.m.
Climate Smart Ag Initiatives — David Frabotta of Trust in Food will lead the discussion on the latest climate initiatives in agriculture.
2:10 p.m. - 2:50 p.m.
Sustainable Packaging: Beyond the Box — Fresh produce packaging plays an outsized role in the quest for sustainability, delivering both challenges and opportunities to players throughout the supply chain. A panel of packaging professionals will discuss the latest innovations available to companies that are prioritizing the reduce, reuse and recycle movement.
3:10 p.m. - 3:40 p.m.
Sustainability Insights: Winning Marketing Messages — Amanda Keefer of Healthy Family Project, a Packer 2022 Women in Produce honoree, will moderate this panel on how advancements in sustainability are evolving and becoming increasingly attainable. Panelists will also explore which of these new developments are making the biggest impact in the all-important arena of consumer and customer marketing, where perception is reality.
3:40 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.
Fireside chat: Carbon Management — Join Martha Montoya, CEO of AgTools for an interactive and compelling discussion on carbon management.
4:20 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Waste Not, Want Not: Advancements Toward Zero Food Waste — Zero food waste is no longer a pie in the sky ambition. A panel of experts discusses how fresh produce companies can drastically reduce, and even eliminate, food waste for a more sustainable future. Topics will include extending shelf life, improving the supply chain, boosting quality and freshness, and strategies to increase sales and consumption.
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wine reception sponsored by Gallo
7:00 p.m. -7:30 p.m.
Keynote: Neil Stern — CEO of Good Food Holdings, the holding company for five preeminent and enduring food retailing brands: Bristol Farms, Lazy Acres Natural Market, Metropolitan Market, New Seasons Market and New Leaf Community Markets — will discuss the changing landscape of grocery retailing and the importance of sustainability to the future of the industry.
The Best of SPS Marketing Awards —The Packer will once again honor excellence in sustainability marketing from companies throughout the fresh produce supply chain, with the presentation of the second annual Best of SPS Marketing Awards at the 2022 Sustainable Produce Summit. Awards will be announced during the evening reception on June 2, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, Calif. Nominate now.
