WASHINGTON, DC – Foodservice directors from Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Monterey, Sacramento and more than 30 school districts across California will be honored guests at this year’s United Fresh convention in San Diego, thanks to the sponsorship support of Grimmway Farms and Duda Farm Fresh Foods. Collectively, these foodservice directors purchase fresh fruits and vegetables for more than 2,000 schools, serving nearly 1.3 million students each day.
“We are proud to facilitate the connection between school buyers and produce suppliers to provide more healthy options for students,” said United Fresh CEO Tom Stenzel. “Schools are a notable growth opportunity for the produce industry, as many schools are doubling the amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables served each day in accordance with new school meal standards.”
The foodservice directors will be special guests at the May 15 Opening General Session Breakfast with keynote speaker Walter Robb, Whole Foods Co-CEO. The group will then be recognized for their leadership in using salad bars to increase student’s fresh fruit and vegetable consumption at the press event to celebrate the donation of salad bars to 350 schools through Let’s Move Salad Bars to California Schools. Following the event, the school foodservice directors will walk the show floor to network with produce suppliers.
Several of the foodservice directors will also share their perspectives at an education session, “Opportunities to Drive Produce Sales to Schools,” in the Fresh Marketplace Learning Center on the show floor, taking place May 15 in the afternoon. The session will highlight how foodservice directors are using fresh fruits and vegetables to create healthier school food environments, what they need from produce suppliers, and how produce companies can develop collaborative partnerships to boost sales and consumption.
Founded in 1904, the United Fresh Produce Association serves companies at the forefront of the global fresh and fresh-cut produce industry, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C. and Western Regional office in Salinas, CA, United Fresh and its members work year-round to make a difference for the produce industry by driving policies that increase consumption of fresh produce, shaping critical legislative and regulatory action, providing scientific and technical leadership in food safety, quality assurance, nutrition and health, and developing educational programs and business opportunities to assist member companies in growing successful businesses. For more information, visit www.unitedfresh.org or call 202-303-3400.
Source: United Fresh Produce Association