Produce is a very important component to Connecticut agriculture. The state is home to 5,500 farmers who have a combined 400,000 acres of working land in production. That generates about $4 billion in economic activity and provides approximately 20,000 jobs.

The Colombia Avocado Board recently announced a 270 percent increase in total avocado pounds shipped to the U.S. for the 2021-22 season. This data is provided by the Hass Avocado Board, which tracks shipments and sales of Hass avocados from all growing regions.

The Controlled Environment Agriculture Food Safety Coalition has retained The Stenzel Group LLC to provide management services, with the appointment of former United Fresh Produce Association President and CEO Tom Stenzel as its new executive director.

The International Fresh Produce Association Foodservice Conference Expo served as the perfect opportunity for foodservice operators and other buyers to meet with industry representatives with the best products, services and innovations. The buyer audience attended in full force, and with over 900 registered buyers from over 250 companies, the buyer to supplier ratio was of almost one to one.

Mission Produce Inc., a world leader in sourcing, producing and distributing fresh Hass avocados with additional offerings in mangos, imported some of the first avocados to the U.S. from the Mexican state of Jalisco. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new certification of Jalisco avocados for the U.S. market provides Mission access to an additional supply source of premium fruit, supporting the company in meeting strong domestic demand.

The International Fresh Produce Association welcomed produce suppliers, foodservice innovators, chefs, menu planners and others to the first Foodservice Conference as a part of the IFPA banner (41st in Monterey). With a record high of almost 2,000 registered attendees, the Foodservice Conference illustrated that demand is strong for foodservice and produce connections.