APC to Add Educational Series
96 Annual Produce Conference is being revamped, to allow more interaction, idea sharing and problem solving. The produce conference, to be held June 8 to 11 at the Doubletree Hotel at Fisherman's Wharf here, will feature a full day of a new educational strategy series.
The two series, which will be conducted Sunday, June 9, will focus on category management and merchandising for the future. Both sessions will consist of three parts, starting off with an overview of the issues, leading into a work groups discussion and finally offering an opportunity to raise issues with leading produce experts.
"We've designed an inspiring agenda presented by dynamic and experienced industry professionals," said Pat DeFriese, conference chair and produce merchandiser for the Vons Cos., Arcadia, Calif. A full day of field tours in Monterey County is part of the conference. On the closing day, three concurrent workshops are scheduled: food safety issues; bulk and value-added produce products; and establishing business relationships.
The Annual Produce Conference is sponsored by Food Marketing Institute, National-American Wholesale Grocers' Association, National Grocers Association, Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association.
PMA Schedules '96 Retail Tour
NEWARK, Del. -- The Produce Marketing Association will conduct its annual Retail Operations Tour Aug. 4 to 7 in Kansas City, Mo. and St. Louis.
Attendees will tour retailers and distribution centers. The tentative schedule includes the distribution center of Associated Wholesale Grocers, Dahl's Food Market, Dillon's, Balls Food Stores' Henhouse and Price Chopper formats, Hy-Vee Food Stores, Wal-Mart Supercenters, Dierbergs Markets and Schnuck Markets.
Registration is limited to 60 attendees, and companies are limited to two participants each. For more information, contact PMA at (302) 738-7100.
REMLINE Offers 5 a Day Items
NEWARK, Del. -- REMLINE here, the official distributor of 5 a Day advertising and merchandising, is introducing sport bottles and can coolers with the 5 a Day logo.
The new products correspond with the Produce for Better Health Foundation's breakfast promotion. The sport bottle and can cooler are rainbow-colored and are designed for fruit and vegetable juices of any kind.
Both items can be customized with a company name or logo.
Retail Produce Expo Date Set
LOS ANGELES -- The Fresh Produce & Floral Council here will hold its Retail Produce Expo and Seminars on Tuesday, May 21, at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, Calif.
John Wooden, former UCLA basketball coach, is the scheduled keynote breakfast speaker. Educational sessions will follow the breakfast. The expo hall, with nearly 100 companies exhibiting, will be open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
