Rainer Fruit Co. has been a long-time supporter of the Produce Marketing Association Foodservice Conference & Expo.

“Retail is such a large part of the produce business that foodservice does not often receive the focus it deserves,” said Communications Manager Erin Smith.

“We have long considered foodservice to be a growing opportunity for our industry and enjoy having dedicated space and time to connect with those companies and individuals who live it on a daily basis. This conference allows us to tailor our offering to address the unique goals and challenges of the foodservice sector.”

The company is headquartered in Yakima, WA, and is one of the Pacific Northwest’s leading fruit grower-packer-shippers.

Rainier will exhibit at Booth No. 1. Smith will be available to talk with visitors as will Director of Business Development Andy Tudor and Ron Conrad, who handles foodservice sales.

Smith is excited about the prospects for discussion during the conference. “New crop apples and pears will undoubtedly be top of mind for everyone as we will be so close to harvest. But we will also be in the middle of our blueberry season,” she told The Produce News. “As a single grower organic-only operation, we have the control and flexibility to offer a consistent 15-week supply. We offer a variety of pack sizes for our organic blueberries to cater to the varying needs of foodservice operators. Adding to the available opportunities, apple and pear harvest will have also just begun.”

While Rainier doesn’t plan to roll out any new products or packing during the show, Smith said the venue provides an excellent opportunity for continuance of the company’s mission to educate.

“Now, more than ever, transparency is paramount in our industry. We want to be a resource not only for our customers’ product knowledge, but also to help empower them when working with their own customers,” she explained. “We have interactive touchscreen monitors that allow us to provide a virtual tour of Rainier Fruit’s orchards and facilities at the show, and we encourage everyone to explore our company with us. We are continually adding new content so there is always something new to learn.”

Foodservice operators can gain an edge by talking with Rainier to glean information about consumer preferences.

“Trends tend to begin in retail and transition to foodservice, especially in produce,” Smith said. “As a company that also works heavily in retail, we have firsthand knowledge of consumer preferences. Foodservice companies who want to stay ahead of the curve will benefit from walking through our category analysis.”