“It’s a unique event compared to others because it’s the only opportunity in the New York area for everyone to come together,” said Anthony Serafino, executive vice president and principal of Exp Group, based in North Bergen, NJ, who attends the event every year.
The three-day event includes networking opportunities, a one-day trade show (on Dec. 11) of more than 400 companies, an opening keynote breakfast, educational micro-sessions and tours of the region’s vibrant industry, including local retailers, wholesalers, foodservice distributors, urban farms and unique eateries.
The opening cocktail reception will take place at the Sheraton New York Times Square on Tuesday night, Dec. 10. The opening keynote breakfast the next morning will feature the esteemed Matthew Luhn, the creative mastermind behind iconic Disney and Pixar films such as Cars, Toy Story and Monsters Inc.
More than 4,000 attendees are expected at the trade show, which takes place at the Javits Center beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11. Buyers make up 40 percent of attendees and all exhibitors have the same-sized booth, which means all companies are on an equal playing field.
New for 2024 is the Mexico Pavilion, which highlights leading Mexican brands and reinforces their reputation for quality and reliability in the industry. This new addition emphasizes the show’s dedication to fostering a buyer-focused environment and provides exceptional opportunities for producers to enhance their market visibility.
There will also be chef demonstrations throughout the day at the trade show.
In addition, attendees can enhance their experience with three co-located conferences tailored to the produce industry. On Tuesday, the Foundational Excellence program, led by Cornell professors, provides valuable insights on industry trends for executives with less than five years in produce. Meanwhile, the Global Trade Symposium offers the latest information on produce importing and exporting to and from the Northeast region. Concluding the event on Thursday Dec. 12, the Ideation Fresh Foodservice Forum explores the vital role of produce in culinary innovation and enhancing foodservice profitability.
What’s more, this year’s Connect With Fresh Consumer Media will feature renowned nutritionist and author Marion Nestle as the keynote speaker on Wednesday afternoon.
Then there’s the popular tours available on Thursday.
The Manhattan Tour will include a visit to the world-famous Eataly, along with three other supermarkets: Wegman’s Astor Place, Brooklyn Fare and the new Morton Williams located at Broadway and 68th. This year’s Brooklyn Tour will include stops at Wegman’s in Flushing, the brand-new Foodtown in Williamsburg and the Food Bazaar in Red Hook, which offers stunning views of the Statue of Liberty from its parking lot. Additionally, participants will visit 3 Guys From Brooklyn, an open-air market with over 50 years of experience in providing high-quality produce and a commitment to community service.
The Philadelphia Tour will feature a trip to the Reading Terminal Market, which will be decked out for the holidays, as well as the state-of-art, fully enclosed and refrigerated Philadelphia Wholesale Market, which features 18 independent produce businesses.
The New Jersey Tour will offer a blend of distribution and retail experiences, featuring stops at several supermarkets, including Shop Rite and A.J. Seabra in Newark, as well as Food Bazaar in North Bergen. This year, participants will also have the opportunity to visit Exp Group’s historic headquarters and distribution center, where the seamless ripening, storage and distribution of tropical fruits and vegetables take place.
Attendees can also sign up for a visit to the world-famous Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx, the largest food distribution center in the world, which caters to an impressive 22 million people.
All of this culminates in a New York Produce Show and Conference that is sure to be profoundly impactful.
