OLDWICK, NJ — The Eastern Produce Council's seventh annual Joe DeLorenzo Family Apple Picking Day was held on a picture-perfect Saturday morning, Oct. 2, here at Melick's Cider Mill & Orchard. The event honors the memory of produce industry veteran Joe DeLorenzo, a long-time EPC member, EPC past president and member of the EPC Hall of Fame, who died Nov. 12, 2014. At the time of his death at age 64, Mr. DeLorenzo — who was known affectionately in business circles as "Joe D" — was director of produce merchandising and operations at Alpha 1 Marketing.

BOSTON -- Fresh produce from around the country was on display at the 2021 New England Produce Council expo, held Thursday, Sept. 30, here at the Hynes Convention Center. The trade show was the culmination of the two-day NEPC Produce, Floral & Foodservice Expo. This year's event drew about 115 exhibitors, according to NEPC Executive Director Laura Sullivan, who saw "good participation on both the attendee side and the exhibitor side."

The Society of American Florists met for their annual convention Sept. 21-23 at Lowes Royal Pacific Resort in Orlango, FL. Industry members of all stripes reconnected with the floral community while attending educational and informational sessions relevant to the trade.

BOSTON — The New England Produce Council celebrated its 2021 Produce, Floral & Foodservice Expo Wednesday evening, Sept. 29, with a VIP reception and cocktail reception at Kings Dining & Entertainment, here in downtown Boston. Earlier in the day, Matt Seeley, founder and chief executive officer of the Organic Produce Network, emceed two educational sessions at the Hynes Convention Center. In the first, Tom Barnes, founder and CEO at Category Partners LLC, spoke on "How to Succeed in Organics with the Comparison Shopper." In the second, Suzy Badaracco, president of Culinary Tides, spoke on "How

The Eastern Produce Council hosted its fourth tailgate event — sponsored once again by the Idaho Potato Commission and Litehouse Inc. — at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 21 in East Rutherford, NJ. This year's featured speaker was New York Giants great and NFL Hall of Famer Harry Carson. Those arriving early enjoyed a tour of the stadium, which included the press box and museum, the commissioner’s lounge and the field. Afterward attendees enjoyed a cocktail hour featuring Idaho potato and Litehouse fare.

MONTEREY, CA – Organic produce took center stage, here, at the 2021 Organic Produce Summit where produce marketers showcased their offerings at the premier event for organic fruits and vegetables. The sold-out event was held Sept. 15-16 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Monterey, CA. OPS 2021 had a similar format to previous years, including an informative series of educational sessions, engaging keynote presentations, and a trade show featuring more than 130 organic growers, shippers and processors from across North America. Additionally, retailers and buyers had a hands-on opportunity to tour