The Canadian Produce Marketing Association is moving forward in 2021 to connect members and build business opportunities, even within these unique times. "Recognizing you cannot recreate our amazing event online we are working to deliver a new and exciting virtual world, something totally reimagined," the association said in a statement.

CPMA invites industry members to join its first Fresh Week event beginning April 12, 2021. Fresh Week will celebrate the sector with education, virtual tours, networking opportunities, social activities and connections across the supply chain.

After the success of last year’s Clean Eating Challenge, Viva Fresh launched its second annual health and wellness campaign Oct. 1. The challenge will continue until the 2021 Viva Fresh Expo on March 26-27, 2021 at the Gaylord Texan in Dallas.

United Fresh has opened the nomination period for the 2021 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards Program. Developed to honor the foodservice industry’s most innovative produce performers, the program pays special tribute to chefs and foodservice operators for excellence in the use of fresh produce in the culinary arts, especially during this year where many restaurant businesses and operations have been forever changed. The program is sponsored by FreshEdge.

The Southeast Produce Council has announced that Southern Exposure, which was scheduled to be held Feb. 25-27, 2021, will now take place April 6-8, 2021, following Easter Sunday. This strategic decision was carefully made by the SEPC Executive Committee to ensure that retailer and foodservice members are able to join the highly anticipated event.

United Fresh is accepting nominations for the 2021 Retail Produce Manager Awards Program. This program recognizes 25 outstanding retail produce managers for their innovative merchandising, produce-related community outreach, increased store sales and recognition among company peers.

The Produce Marketing Association announced the Best of Show awards last week, a Fresh Summit tradition of recognition that celebrates innovation and creativity in marketing and product promotion.  This year’s event featured virtual Marketplaces where exhibiting companies could customize and share their own digital space to promote and showcase their products and engage with buyers and event attendees.  The award winners were selected using a variety of inputs, including feedback from guests and platform engagement data.