The New England Produce Council hosted a well-attended Top Golf event Wednesday, May 14, at the Top Golf site in Canton, MA, sponsored by RPE, Taylor Farms, Suja/Vive, T. Marzetti and R2Fresh Solutions. The day began with an afternoon educational session for the NEPC Leadership Class . Effective Communication in the Workplace was presented by Amanda Hennessey, founder of Boston Public Speaking, renowned public speaking coach and author of Your Guide to Public Speaking. Hennessey offered many take-aways for the class and focused on mindset when preparing for a public speaking engagement and how

The Southeast Produce Council’s STEP-UPP Foodservice Class kicked off its summer tour last week, providing participants with immersive, hands-on experiences designed to deepen their understanding of the produce industry and strengthen grower partnerships. STEP-UPP — short for Southeast Training Education Program for Upcoming Produce Professionals — is SEPC’s premier educational initiative. The program equips rising retail and foodservice produce professionals with a comprehensive industry perspective through strategic learning, leadership development and field-based training. The tour

MANHEIM, PA – The weather may have been gray and rainy here in central Pennsylvania, but the third annual Four Seasons Fresh Fest shined through with its educational session and trade show, which drew approximately 200 attendees. The event kicked off May 12 with an opening reception at The Landis Museum, where attendants ate, drank and socialized, followed by the trade show held May 13 at The Junction Center. Before the trade show, featured speakers Greg Davidson Laszakovits and Pamela Riemenschneider imparted their expertise during separate presentations. Greg Davidson Laszakovits spoke on

The International Fresh Produce Association's Retail Conference delivered a day of compelling insights, real-world strategy and hands-on collaboration — anchored by renowned retail expert and Retail Rules! author Kevin Coupe, who served as emcee. Alongside IFPA’s Joe Watson, Coupe helped set the tone with a deep dive into the state of retail, highlighting shifts in consumer behavior, supply chain dynamics and the broader implications for the fresh produce sector. Timely discussions examined the early policy moves of the new administration and their ripple effects across the industry, while

The 2025 International Fresh Produce Association Consumer Connection brought together, marketers, retail partners and influencers to explore how today’s produce industry can better connect with consumers through innovation, data and storytelling. From marketing strategy to brand-building insights, the event underscored power of collaboration and creativity in reshaping the consumer journey and increasing consumption of fresh produce.

The South Carolina Department of Agriculture and the Eastern Produce Council hosted a night at the driving range at TopGolf in Edison, NJ, on April 22. The event marked the 53rd year of the SCDA and EPC relationship. Prior to tee off, Michael Cranford of the SCDA, along with members of the South Carolina contingent, promoted the crops the state offers, which include peaches, watermelon and specialty crops.