Fresh Events

NEPC Produce and Floral Expo
When: April 3
Where: Boston
New England Produce Council’s 14th Annual Produce and Floral Expo is the association’s premier event. Exhibitors and attendees will have the opportunity to share the latest products and services available in the industry. Retired Boston Red Sox Pitcher Tim Wakefield will serve as this year’s keynote speaker.
newenglandproduce.com/expo.html

Diversity and Inclusion: Should It Be Managed or Led? Webinar
When: April 3
Where: Remote This free webinar will help participants learn how to have a leader’s mindset when it comes to diversity and inclusion. Presented by Trudy Bourgeois, chief executive officer and founder of The Center for Workforce Excellence, webinar attendees will learn how to connect across differences, create environments where diversity can be leveraged to gain a competitive advantage, build authentic relationships, and more. The webinar is part of the Food Marketing Institute’s Future Connect 2013: Pre-Conference Webinar series.
bit.ly/diversity-webinar

Highbush Blueberry Production School
When: April 11
Where: Hamden, N.Y. Four Cornell instructors will help commercial growers and home gardeners learn how to grow and sell blueberries, as well as protect them from pests and diseases. The workshop is $20 per person, or $35 per farm couple.
bit.ly/blueberry-school

CPMA Convention and Trade Show
When: April 17-19
Where: Toronto On target to be the biggest in its history, this will be the 88th year for Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s annual event. Returning to Toronto this year, the trade show will have 500 exhibit spaces and will claim 25 percent more space than it did in 2009. Highlights of the event include the New Product Showcase, an expanded Retail Tour program and the New Retail Produce Manager program.
convention.cpma.ca

Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference
When: April 21-23
Where: Scottsdale, Ariz.
Offered in partnership with Simmons School of Management, this brand new conference from the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) was designed to develop women’s leadership potential in the produce industry. Whether you’re brand new to the industry or hold an executive position, the two-day conference will help attendees learn how to achieve business results through strategic thinking, as well as manage work-life balance and negotiate and communicate effectively.
pmafoundation.com/womens-fresh-perspectives-conference

United Fresh 2013
When: May 14-16
Where: San Diego
Thousands of food industry leaders will be present at the United Fresh trade show, which is customized for each segment of the produce industry. Participants will be able to network, see new products, engage with top marketing experts and more. Featured speakers include MSNBC’s Morning Joe Duo and Whole Foods’ Co-CEO Walter Robb.
unitedfreshshow.org

Produce Inspection Training Program
When: June 3-7
Where: Fredericksburg, Va.
In partnership with USDA-AMS, the United Fresh Foundation is offering three produce inspection training courses. Designed to provide hands-on instruction from USDA experts, the program consists of two courses: Fundamentals of Produce Inspection and Commodity Labs. The Fundamentals of Produce Inspection is a two-day course that covers knowledge, terminology, and other information that those handling produce must now. The Commodity Labs lasts for three days and applies the principles from the Fundamentals course to real inspections.
bit.ly/produce-inspection

Postharvest Technology Short Course
When: June 17-28
Where: Davis, Calif.
The University of California, Davis will offer a two-week course focused on the biology and technologies of handling fruits, vegetables, nuts and ornamentals in California. The lecture and field trip is open to 55 participants, and the lecture-only course is open to 25. Enrollment will be treated as first-paid, first-enrolled.
postharvest.ucdavis.edu

Produce Marketing Association Foodservice Conference and Exposition
When: July 26-28
Where: Monterey, Calif.
Providing the opportunity to meet with foodservice leaders throughout the industry, the Produce Marketing Association Foodservice Conference and Exposition will offer attendees an environment in which to network with one another, learn about new products and services and much more. The annual event reportedly has a 93 percent exhibitor approval rating.
fsc.pma.com

The Packer’s Midwest Produce Conference & Expo
When: August 10-20
Where: Chicago
Bringing together leading produce growers, suppliers, wholesalers, distributors, retail executives and more, The Packer’s Midwest Produce Conference & Expo is intended to fill a niche in the region by merging a conference program, networking events and a retail tour with an industry expo.
midwestproduceexpo.com

Produce Inspection Training Program
When: Sept. 10-14
Where: Fredericksburg, Va.
In partnership with the USDA-AMS, the United Fresh Foundation is offering three produce inspection training courses in 2013. Attendees will have hands-on instruction from USDA expert and learn about quality control standards, inspection grading, USDA produce procedures and requirements, and more. Developed into two courses, participants will first take Fundamentals of Produce Inspection and then Commodity Labs.
unitedfresh.org/programs

PMA Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition
When: Oct. 18-20
Where: New Orleans The Fresh Summit is an opportunity for growers, retailers, processors, suppliers, wholesalers and more to meet and stay up-to-date on the global supply chain. More than 20,000 industry professionals from more than 60 countries convene to obtain information about global connections, consumer insights and more.
freshsummit.com