Three Produce Trends to Watch at United Fresh 2016

The Midwest is best for fresh.

That is the sentiment that several exhibitors of the upcoming United Fresh 2016 show share. The show will be held at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center June 20-22 and will again be co-located with the International Floriculture Expo and the Food Marketing Institute’s FMI Connect, as well as a new partner this year, the Global Cold Chain Expo.

“Chicago attracts a great cross section of the industry, from all over the country,” says Chad Hartman, director of marketing for Truly Good Foods. “A weekday event seems to bring in people ready to work. Together with FMI, the crowds are strong.”

Rob Bertels, vice president of marketing for Mission Produce, echoes that statement. “There aren’t many produce shows in the Midwest, and it acts as a draw for industry from a lot of different areas of the country,” he says.

Location, however, is not everything. Connecting with customers to discuss the trends and issues that the produce industry is facing is key to the exhibitors of the show. “We look forward to meetings with customers, networking with industry friends, learning from the sessions and learning about what other exhibitors are featuring,” says Cindy Jewell, vice president of marketing at California Giant Berry Farms.

The Fresh Foods: The Retail Revolution presentation on June 20 will feature top speakers exploring the trends, innovations and visions for how fresh produce and fresh foods are dramatically changing retail channels. Following the session, attendees can then enjoy a hands-on and tasting reception with new product options from grab-n-go snacks to convenient meal solutions; fresh fruit smoothies to deli sandwiches; yogurt parfaits to cool desserts.

“Participation in Fresh Foods: The Retail Revolution requires an All-Access Pass, adding value to the expo experience by offering a deeper look into the trends, developments and innovations in fresh,” says Tom Stenzel, United Fresh’s president and CEO. “Fresh produce innovations in retail are hot, continuing to permeate departments throughout the store.”

Ahead of the show, I spoke with a few United Fresh exhibitors to see what trends they’re noticing in the produce industry. Here are three trends worth noting:

1. Healthy eating and new usage ideas.

“Specific to the avocado business, we’ve noted that there is a very positive consumer perception of the fruit in all day parts from breakfast, to lunch, dinner and snacking,” says Bertels. “People want to eat healthy, and avocados provide consumers a lot of options and new ideas, without sacrificing fun and flavor.”

Mission Produce produces, distributes and markets fresh Hass avocados. Mission will exhibit at United Fresh to connect with current and future customers, Bertel says. “It is a good interval for us review current business with our customer base, as well as have conversations about growing with new customers,” he adds.

2. Companion items.

“Within the produce department, merchandising salad toppers with salad, dips with fruit, smoothie mixes, Dip & Devour with strawberries and many other items that go well together,” says Hartman. “In addition, convenience, pre-chopped vegetables, pre-packaged kits and grab-n-go items are becoming widespread with the produce department.”

Truly Good Foods will have a full selection of its branded products, including Grabeez, Buffalo Nuts, Dip & Devour, ReCharge and a special focus on the re-launch of Garden Chips on display at the United Fresh Show.

3. Transparency of food source.

“Consumers are becoming more and more interested in where their food comes from, says Micki Dirtzu, director of marketing for North Shore Living Herbs. “Some examples we are seeing is the demand for local produce in the grocery store as well as ‘farm to table’ restaurant concepts opening across the country. At North Shore we grow all of our living herbs year round within the United States.”

Those living herbs will be highlighted during the United Fresh Show. The herbs are still alive with the root ball attached, Dirtzu adds.

The expanded interest in transparency has led consumers to become more educated on where their food comes from. “People want to know how their food was grown, if it was treated with chemicals, were there kids harvesting it, etc.,” says Jessie Gunn, marketing manager for Wholesum Harvest. “[They also want to know how companies do business, and how they successfully bring people healthy food to their families, at pricing that works for them.”

Year-round growers Wholesum Harvest will feature its entire line up at the United Fresh Show, which includes: Organic Beef Tomatoes, Organic Roma Tomatoes, Organic Tomatoes on the Vine, Organic Cherry Tomatoes on the Vine, Organic Grape Tomatoes, Organic Heirloom Tomatoes and Organic Slicer and European Cucumbers.

“We also have our Organic Zuchinni and Organic Yellow Straight neck Squash, Organic Yellow, Orange (summer),Green Bell Peppers (winter), and Red Bell Peppers (year round) and our Organic Eggplant in the Graffiti, White and Globe varieties,” Gunn adds.