The International Fresh Produce Association welcomed produce suppliers, foodservice innovators, award winning chefs, K-12 professionals, menu planners and more to Foodservice Conference last week. The record-breaking crowd took over Monterey with approximately 2,200 registered attendees and wrapped on Friday afternoon with a bustling expo that’s been sold out for weeks. Here are some highlights in case you weren't able to attend — or just didn't get to see everything.

PanAmerican Seed is proud to accept the 2023 Greenhouse Grower Medal of Excellence Industry’s Choice Award for its new Caliburst Yellow Petchoa – the first petchoa from seed! Industry’s Choice is determined by a panel of experts from across the horticulture industry, who reviewed hundreds of new varieties while traveling to California Spring Trials. They collectively selected six finalists for the award, and ultimately awarded Caliburst the win.

Some of the best melons, especially cantaloupes and honeydews, are grown in California. About 40 percent of the melons were grown in the Imperial Valley during the early 1900s leaving the remaining 60 percent farmed in the San Joaquin Valley. California is the largest supplier of cantaloupes and honeydews in the U.S.

In late July, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont submitted a request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture seeking a federal agriculture disaster declaration after significant damage that occurred to farms and crops statewide from the recent heavy rainfall that caused major flooding, particularly along the Connecticut River and other waterways.

The flooding is in addition to two previous frost events in February and May that resulted in 1,077 acres impacted with estimated losses totaling $8.4 million.

It was eight years ago that recruiters Stacey Rouse and Vanessa Garcia launched their executive search firm, Performant Scout, to connect premier talent to mid- to executive-level positions in produce, agribusiness, and food and beverage throughout North America.

The International Fresh Produce Association welcomed produce suppliers, foodservice innovators, award winning chefs, K-12 professionals, menu planners and more to Foodservice Conference last week.  The record-breaking crowd took over Monterey with approximately 2,200 registered attendees and wrapped on Friday afternoon with a bustling expo that’s been sold out for weeks.