Four Seasons plans for busy New York Produce Show
Four Seasons plans for busy New York Produce Show
Four Seasons Produce, which has been an exhibitor at the New York Produce Show since the inaugural event in 2010, views the gathering as an opportunity to meet customers on their own turf.
"Four Seasons has many independent retail and natural food store customers in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and other northeast and Mid-Atlantic states," said Jonathan Steffy, vice president and general manager of the Ephrata, PA-based produce distributor.
That proximity gives customers an opportunity to meet with numerous expo floor booth representatives without investing multiple travel days to accomplish the same goals.
“As a Pennsylvania-based full-service wholesale distributor, the New York Produce Show also provides a good quality, closer-to-home opportunity for associates from our buying, sales and merchandising teams to get into New York City for a day to visit customers and suppliers and see what’s new,” Steffy said.
Four Seasons Produce representatives will be at booth No. 324.
“Our booth provides a space for us to connect with and thank our customer and supplier partners, and perhaps network with potential new customers, too,” he said.
Four Seasons Produce’s mission is “helping others succeed in fresh,” Steffy said.
“At our booth, we’ll be highlighting an assortment of seasonal fruits and vegetables that lend themselves to December merchandising displays, along with new or sought-after products from premier brands,” he said.
The booth will feature plenty of organic fruits and vegetables, because it is a significant portion of Four Season’s business, according to Steffy, driven by demand and sales growth in organic produce.
The supplier’s plant and floral program is also seeing a sales lift, he said.
Once again, the Four Seasons’ booth at the NYPS will feature a colorful holiday-themed display. The past two years, the booth had a giant Christmas tree made from broccoli, which became a popular photo spot for expo attendees. Steffy said senior merchandiser and natural stores coordinator Brian Dey and other representatives from Four Seasons are designing a new display to delight visitors to booth No. 324.
Be prepared for a possible wait time for the display selfie — the one-day exposition at the New York Produce Show has a reputation of being busy.
“Just like New York City itself, the show floor is often packed, bustling with people and action, and full of diversity,” Steffy said. “This kind of format allows attendees to see a lot of people and product in a relatively short amount of time, all while getting charged up with the energy felt when the industry gets together.”
The company is bringing a large contingent to the New York event, each with specific goals.
“Most goals fall into these overlapping circles: learning, connecting and supporting our partners,” Steffy said.
Four Seasons Produce recently promoted Ginny Williams to director of business development. Williams has been with the company for 19 years.
“Ginny and her team are responsible for identifying and pursuing growth and improvement opportunities to drive sales and profitability forward for the organization, our customers and suppliers,” Steffy said.
Williams will also begin to support business development activities of sister company Earth Source, a grower rep and importing business where she previously worked in sales.
