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PMA Fresh Summit Schedule of Events

Wednesday, Oct. 17

12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. Retail Produce Tour

Thursday, Oct. 18

8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fresh Ideas Showcase

• Just 4 Kids Showcase: Innovative products and services geared toward children

• On-The-Go Showcase: Products/services that make it easier for consumers to eat healthy while on the go or in the kitchen

• Certified Organic Showcase: Innovative, certified organic products

• Floral Showcase: Innovative floral products/services 

8:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Forum for the Future – “State of the Industry” with Cathy   Burns, chief executive officer at Produce Marketing Association

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. New! Experience Extension

• Produce Safety: Mission Critical

• Transportation in Floral: Discuss Changes for Efficiencies

• Blockchain Village

• STAY: Why Would Anybody Stay With You?

• Networking Lounge

• Members Serving Members: One-on-One Strategic Marketing Consults

11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Forum for the Future – “Today’s Disruptions, Tomorrow’s Opportunities!” with Greg Williams, editor in chief at Wired Magazine

1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.?New! Experience Extension

• Seismic Shifts in Global Trade: Where Is It Headed?

• Transportation in Produce: Who’s in the Driver Seat?

• Blockchain Village

• STAY: Why Would Anybody Stay With You?

• Networking Lounge 

• Members Serving Members: One-on-One Strategic Marketing Consults?

1:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Emerging Leaders Program Capstone and Graduation

2:15 p.m. - 3:40 p.m. Forum for the Future with Leslie Odom, Jr., Tony Award-winning American actor and singer

4 p.m. - 5 p.m. Young Professionals Reception and VIP Invitational Reception

5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Welcoming Reception: Global Street Festival

Friday, Oct. 19

7 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. 5K Race for Talent

8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Fresh Ideas Showcase

8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Forum for the Future – “Lessons in Leadership Both On and Off the Field” with Peyton Manning, two-time Super Bowl champion and five-time NFL MVP, and moderator Bruce Taylor, founder and CEO at Taylor Farms

10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Exposition Halls Open

6:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. Floral “Flamingle” Reception

Saturday, Oct. 20

8 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Women’s Fresh Perspectives Leadership Breakfast with Lindsey Vonn, award-winning alpine ski racer, best-selling author and presenter

8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fresh Ideas Showcase

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Exposition Halls Open

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In the Trenches: Put muscle into merchandising California strawberries

By
Ron Pelger

Spring is here and summer is just ahead. That means California strawberries are on tap. California’s ideal climate produces 90 percent of the nation’s strawberries, yielding 1.8 billion pounds annually, and more organic strawberries are grown in California than anywhere in the world.

U.S. supply chain education important for Peruvian avocados

By
Tim Linden

As the Peruvian avocado industry enters another season of significant shipments to the U.S. market, a major effort needs to be on supply chain education.

Ocean Mist Farms delivers convenience without compromising on freshness or flavor

Today’s consumers continue to express strong interest in cooking with fresh vegetables, but increasingly busy schedules often make that goal difficult to achieve. Between work demands, school activities, commutes and packed family calendars, many consumers are seeking meal solutions that deliver freshness, flavor and nutrition — without requiring time-consuming prep.

USDA restricts seven PACA violators

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on seven produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and for failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. These sanctions include suspending the businesses’ PACA licenses and barring the principal operators from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without USDA approval. 
 
The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry: 

Brewster Heights files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

Brewster Heights Packing & Orchards, one of Washington state's largest vertically integrated apple and cherry growing, packing and distribution enterprises, has commenced a voluntary Chapter 11 restructuring process by filing petitions in the United States Bankruptcy Court for Eastern District of Washington.

Wegmans’ kicks off campaign to support summer feeding programs

Wegmans Food Markets kicked off its company-wide Fill the Bus/Fill the Backpack scan campaign to raise money for the company’s 53 Feeding America food bank partners. 

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