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A Fresh Summit Summary
Elizabeth Louise Hatt
January 1, 2018
2 Min Read
It is that time of year. The leaves are changing; and there is a chill in the air.... it is time for PMA's Fresh Summit show. This year it was in Anaheim, offering us North East'ers one last weekend of warmth before the winter's predicted-extreme coldness settles in to my bones. Warm it was. Wandering around the convention hall was like a seasonal walk around the country. Summertime berries and leafy greens were plentiful; fall's bountiful apple crop was overflowing from their displays; the floral section smelled like a flower field on a warm spring day. There were even watermelons... although they didn't let us forget what time of year it is: 
Among the the colors and smells, here are some noteworthy trends and happenings:
Packaging is still a huge area of development. Growers and packaging manufacturers are focused on sustainable/eco-friendly concepts. One grower, Wada Farms, was showing a bag of potatoes that was made partially from the potato starch itself. Packaging is also serving another purpose: to look good. Apples, for example, which have been shining bright from farmer's market-style crates are finding their way into bags in an effort to attract consumer attention and help retailer's move more product.
Health. Health. Health. The nation is trying to get fit and everyone in the industry is on board. Nutrition information is front and center. POS materials, packaging and in-store dietician programs are a few ways growers are partnering with retailers to spread the word of health. Add to that, many offer their own websites and social media outlets with recipe ideas.
Talking about recipe ideas. Every aisle you walked down there were mouth-watering smells and the excited voice of a chef sharing his or her culinary secrets with onlookers. I have not been in the industry for more than a few years, but even just a few years ago, the sampling and creativity at PMA was somewhat limited to what could be thrown together behind a booth that morning. Exhibitors are stepping up their game, bringing in well-known faces to show attendees just how versatile their fruits and veggies really are.
My favorite element of the show, however, was what I witnessed upon my exit... a few dozen volunteers preparing to raid the exhibit hall in the name of hunger relief. Each year the show donates a cornucopia of fresh produce to the local food bank; this year 217,667 pounds of fresh fruits and veggies went to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, thanks to about 300 volunteers. Now that is a healthy use of some healthy foods.
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