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Fresno Food Expo announces open registration for 2014

The city of Fresno, in partnership with the Fresno Food Expo Advisory Committee, formally announced open registration for the 2014 Fresno Food Expo, which shifted its dates from March to July 24, 2014 to accommodate the more than 2,500 fresh produce growers and packers in the San Joaquin Valley accounting for an economic impact of $113.4 billion in 2012. The announcement was made Jan. 28 at the Fowler Packing facility.

All locally owned and headquartered IMG 4685Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin (center) with Dennis and Leland Parnagian of Fowler Packing at the company's facility during a press conference announcing open registration for the 2014 Fresno Food Expo.food and beverage producers within the eight-county San Joaquin Valley region will be invited to register for this year's event, in which buyer participation continues to grow.

At the 2013 Expo, 600 local, national and international buyers across all categories from center store to fresh attended, which is expected by increase by at least 15 percent for the 2014 Expo.

During a press conference, Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin spoke about the impact of the date shift for exhibitors and buyers; the continued focus on buyer growth, including international buyers; industry collaborations that led to new market opportunities; and the return of the Fresno Food Expo New Product Awards that resulted in immediate business growth results for award winners.

FFE-UB date clrLeland Parnagian, a member of the third generation of the Parnagian family involved in the Fowler Packing operation, spoke about the company's long history in Fresno and its belief in the value and mission of the Fresno Food Expo.

The Fresno Food Expo was first developed in 2011 as part of Fresno's economic development strategy under Mayor Swearengin to find innovative ways to help local companies grow their business, specifically export-oriented businesses that bring in new dollars to the Valley's economy.

Since its launch, the Fresno Food Expo has provided a platform for Valley-based food producers to network, share industry relationships, create new business contacts and increase their exposure to broader sales opportunities. It has matched local food producers with key buyers from international, domestic, regional and local food and beverage buying channels.

The expo has also built a heightened awareness among the local consumer base, creating a deeper level of brand recognition, driving consumers to seek out local product on grocery store shelves and restaurant menus, thus increasing demand and encouraging economic growth for food producing companies in the region.

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