VIDEOS: Industry insights from the 2024 West Coast Produce Expo, Sustainable Produce Summit

PALM DESERT, Calif. — Educational sessions at both the 2024 West Coast Produce Expo and the Sustainable Produce Summit provided attendees with a wealth of insights from industry experts. With the following presentation videos, you can take a virtual seat at the session of your choice.

(Scroll down to browse the sessions or click the topic links below to jump to a specific video and overview.)

• The Right Stuff: Meet the Retailers Keeping Shoppers Coming Back for More
• Why the Future of Produce is Now
• Sustainability Insights Revealed
• Walking the talk: Communicating sustainability in marketing
• Labor and Talent Acquisition Panel
• Biodiversity and the Future of Food
• Leading the Ethical Charter Implementation Program
• A New Breed: The Role of Seed Cultivation, Fruit Breeding and Genetics in in a More Sustainable Food Supply

From product mix and the power of private label to price sensitivity and sustainable packaging, today’s produce retailers are navigating an ever-changing world of challenges and opportunities in-store and online. Hear how leading retailers including Amazon, Grocery Outlet, Sprouts Farmers Market and Cardenas Markets are meeting these challenges and seizing the opportunities to increase produce purchases.

Moderator Daniel Bell, director of produce for Grocery Outlet, presents with panelists Charchil Shah, senior product manager and business lead for Amazon Fresh Private Brands; Shonna Williams, vice president of produce and floral for Heritage Grocers Group; and David Dudley Sr., category manager for Sprouts Farmers Market.

Jonna Parker, team lead of Fresh Foods at Circana, shares the latest consumer and sales trends on how households are eating and shopping for total food and beverage — and how it spells opportunity for the future of fresh produce. ([email protected])

Brock Nemecek, marketing manager for fresh produce, and Christina Herrick of The Packer lead a deep dive into the proprietary data, insights and trends revealed in The Packer’s annual survey of consumers, retailers and growers. Each segment has a unique perspective and an important role to play in creating a more sustainable world. 

While fresh produce is leading the charge on sustainability, the industry’s sensitivity to greenwashing keeps some silent on their efforts. How can the industry better communicate their story? This session includes the presentation of The Packer’s annual Sustainable Marketing Awards. This session is led by Brock Nemecek of Farm Journal; Tamara Muruetagoiena, International Fresh Produce Association vice president of sustainability; and Melinda Goodman of Full Tilt Marketing.

Industry experts and college students share their experiences and perspectives on salaries, interests, benefits, career goals and examine unique hiring challenges in the produce industry.

Moderator Mary Maranville of Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture speaks with panelists Cornell University researcher Adam Brumberg; Cornell University student Kaylee Yin; Koushik Saha, professor at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo; and Jayna Kaur, a student at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo.

Biodiversity is essential to supporting a healthy planet and sustainable food supply. Increasingly, retailers are requiring their business partners to support sustainable practices. Walmart has pollinator requirements that go into effect next year. And The Kroger Co. recently said it will require all of its fresh produce suppliers to use Integrated Pest Management practices for all products supplied to Kroger by 2028 or 2030, based on the grower's size. This panel brings together stakeholders committed to advancing biodiversity in the fresh produce industry.

Moderator Roberta Anderson, president of GLOBALG.A.P. North America, speaks with panelists Josh VanDeWalle of Bayer; Giovanni Cavaletto, president of GLC Cerritos LLC; and Ariel Larson of the Sustainable Food Group.

The Ethical Charter Implementation Program is a collaboration among retailers/buyers, grower-shippers and implementing organizations to recognize and strengthen engagement around labor practices in the fresh produce industry. The program highlights existing best-practice efforts and works to identify opportunities for continuous improvement. Moderator Melinda Goodman of Full Tilt Marketing speaks with panelists Wyatt Maysey of Taylor Farms and Stephanie Teclaw of RPE.

Environmental challenges have spurred innovation in fruit breeding, genetics and seed cultivation to address climate change and disease resistance, foster biodiversity and improve the quality, flavor and freshness of the food we grow. Meet the experts leading the charge in this ever evolving and critically important sector of food cultivation. Moderator A.G. Kawamura, former secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, speaks with panelists Jennifer Peterson, chief science officer for Sun World, and Cristiane Lourenco, global sustainability director for Bayer Vegetable Seeds.