New York, NY — Over 40 representatives from consumer media explored unique and exotic fresh produce items during a luncheon and presentation at The New York Produce Show and Conference, held on December 11, 2013, at Pier 94 in New York City. Journalists from lifestyle/cooking magazines, food blogs, news services and Internet TV stations experienced a hands-on demonstration from specialty produce supplier Frieda’s and microgreens producer Kerry’s Kitchen Garden. The event included sampling and blind tastings of several uncommon items, including dragonfruit, oro blanco, baby lemon basil and micro-thyme.
“We have a great story to tell, and we love to tell it,” says Frieda’s Karen Caplan. “The enthusiasm and caliber of the consumer media and influencers in this event really make it an invaluable interchange for information. They are a crucial part of helping consumers better understand produce.”
The “Connect With Fresh” lunch was bookended by expert food speakers. Maricel Presilla, the James Beard Award-winning chef and author opened the event by discussing trending unique Latino items and their future usage in restaurants and homes. Florence Fabricant, food and wine writer for the New York Times, guided attendees through various food and dining trends, emphasizing the special appeal of unique produce items.
“Bringing together speakers and food journalists for lunch was a genial idea,” says Presilla. “Produce is taking center stage in restaurants and high-end markets, and we all need to learn from each other to best explain these momentous changes in our writing. Listening to Karen Caplan reminded me that this new movement rests on the shoulders of giants like Frieda Caplan, the founder of Frieda's Inc. Florence Fabricant gave us a lucid overview of how produce is being featured on restaurant menus and the current trends shaping the newly found appreciation for fruits and vegetables across the nation. Besides offering us all a great opportunity for networking, this media lunch was instructive and fun.”
In addition, the media representatives interacted with over 400 produce companies at the exposition and viewed multiple chef demonstrations during the day. Kerry Herndon of Kerry’s Kitchen Garden shares, “We offer many unique microgreens never before available and everyone had the chance to taste things like spicy mustard greens or baby radish tops. Writers could ask any questions they wanted. The intensity of one-on-one communication is powerful.”
The New York Produce Show and Conference is presented annually by The Eastern Produce Council and PRODUCE BUSINESS magazine. It is an exciting world-class three-day event for the region including networking opportunities, a one-day trade show of over 400 companies, retail “thought-leader” panels, and hands-on tours.
About PRODUCE BUSINESS magazine and The Eastern Produce Council
PRODUCE BUSINESS magazine is a leading trade publication in the fresh produce arena written for retailers, industry buyers and executives. The Eastern Produce Council (EPC) is a 500-member organization composed mostly of retailers, wholesalers and suppliers to the Northeast produce trade.
Source: PRODUCE BUSINESS magazine and The Eastern Produce Council