Four Seasons Produce sharing Stem & Leaf Satsuma Mandarins at NY Produce Show

In a year that has been a strong one for Four Seasons Produce, the company will soon be headed to the New York Produce Show & Conference where it will exhibit at booth No. 320.

“Things got off to a strong start for the year,” said Jonathan Steffy, vice president and general manager of the Ephrata, PA-based company. “We had a healthy spring and summer, and now we’re in the mode of working closely with our suppliers and customers to try and meet the needs of the moment with consumers spending a bit differently.”

One thing the company loves about the New York Produce Show is that it’s an opportunity for many of its customers to leave their operations for the day, connect in person and then be back that same day. 

“It’s a great time to be able to see a lot of our customers — produce directors, produce buyers and even produce managers,” Steffy said. “That’s why we love this regional show. It’s where our customers are and connecting with them is so fun.”

Four Seasons Produce has manned a booth since the show’s beginning, and invites attendees to check out what’s happening at the company.

“One of the things we always try to do is bring up new and interesting items — whether it’s new products we’re bringing into the marketplace or cool in-season items,” Steffy said. “For sure, we’re going to have Stem & Leaf Satsuma Mandarins and customers can stop by and grab a quick taste if they want. We always grab enough to share because that’s one of the peak in-season items right now.”

Not only will Four Seasons be displaying at the show, but almost every buyer on the team will be walking the show.

“We’ll probably have about a dozen people at the booth and the day of the trade show, will have all the buyers there for those face-to-face connections,” Steffy said.

One of those coming will be Stephanie Shaffer, key accounts manager for the company’s earth source importing division, who will receive her 40 under 40 award at the New York Produce Show this year.

“We’re going to be celebrating her accomplishment at the show,” Steffy said.

At the show, Steffy expects to be talking about inflation, as retailers, wholesalers and growers are all feeling the burden and experiencing cost challenges.

“There will be discussions about finding the right value equation for the moment and getting creative on promotions because that’s one thing consumers are responding really well to,” he said.

The team at Four Seasons strategizes for the show throughout the year and as the date gets closer, it considers all the peak-season items they can put in the booth and have conversations with customers about.

“We come back to the show feeling like it was successful when we can connect in-person and have face-to-face conversations with as many customers as possible and uncover new opportunities,” Steffy said.

Elsewhere around the company, Four Seasons recently welcomed Drew Hennemuth to its sales team as a business development representative, and Steffy noted he’s doing a great job helping onboard new customers.

“He started earlier this summer and we’re excited to have him on board,” Steffy said.

The company also recently finished a multi-year project for its warehouse expansion and it’s now fully moved in and operating from the new facility.

“That’s creating a lot of growth opportunities for us, our customers and suppliers as we head in 2023,” Steffy said.