Ventura County Sustainability Exchange Hosts Exclusive Event

In conjunction with this year's PMA Fresh Summit, the growers and distributors of Ventura County are inviting fresh produce industry members into their backyards for the Ventura County Sustainability Exchange. This unique collaborative event brings together top growers from throughout the region to put Ventura County on the map and show the industry why it is the one-stop-shop for sustainably grown produce. “Buyers from all over the country will be impressed to see the substantial investments that Ventura County producers have made to incorporate sustainability into producing their products,” says John Chamberlain, director of marketing for Limoneira. “The Ventura County Sustainability Exchange will firmly establish the county as the one-stop-shop for sustainable produce.” VCSE invitees will be able to experience the operations of these growers first hand, as leading companies like Limoneira, Calavo, San Miguel Produce, Agromin, Deardorff Family Farms and Houweling's Tomatoes invite them along for tours of their fields and facilities. For example, guests will visit the Limoneira and Calavo Headquarters in Santa Paula, to tour their 2MG solar facilities and learn about their waste management practices and high density planting. Star power will be there to greet VCSE attendees throughout their stay. Refreshments will be provided by Nobu mixologist Brian Leon in Limoneira's orchards. Dinner will be catered by the culinary expertise of Chef Jason Collis, who will be turning the local produce of Ventura County's growers into gourmet culinary creations. Before savoring Collins' cooking however, renowned comedian Patrick Martin will take center-stage. With the same blend of humor and captivating visual illusions which has taken him before such prestigious audiences as the White House, the Olympic Arts Festival, and top Fortune 500 corporations, VCSE attendees will be in for a night to remember. Guest speakers during the event will include the Agricultural Commissioner, Henry Gonzales; Food Share President, Bonnie Weigel; and Kathleen Phillips, the Supply Chain Sustainability Manager for Pro*Act. More consumers than ever are looking for healthy, sustainable food choices. The search for products which retailers can sell to this growing body has consumers has lead buyers and produce experts of all stripes to Ventura County. At the end of their two day trip through the fields and operations of these growers, VCSE attendees will understand first-hand what makes the county a leader in sustainability for the fresh produce community.