New Buyers Bring Unique Perspective and Business Opportunity to IFPA’s Foodservice Conference

WASHINGTON – A growing roster of new foodservice buyers will join the International Fresh Produce Association‘s (IFPA) The Foodservice Conference, bringing fresh opportunities for business and a broader view of where foodservice is headed.

Taking place July 23-24 in Monterey, California, the participation of top buyers attending for the first time strengthens the conference’s immediate value for produce suppliers looking to build relationships. It also speaks to the growing importance of the event as the anchor of the foodservice year for fresh produce professionals.

“One of the things we value most about The Foodservice Conference is that there are always new companies joining the conversation,” said Lisa McNeece, SVP Foodservice & Ingredient Sales for Grimmway Produce Group. “We are excited to meet buyers we have not worked with before, learn what they need, and explore where those introductions could lead.”

New Foodservice Buyer-Operators Attending IFPA’s The Foodservice Conference This Year:

• 7-Eleven, Inc.
• Black Bear Diner, Inc.
• Brio Italian Grille
• Casey’s
• Culver’s
• Logan’s Roadhouse
• Playa Bowls
• Mezeh Mediterranean Grill
• Twin Peaks
• And more!

The event also welcomes a wide array of K-12 and College & University school menu planners. Educational leaders make decisions that directly influence how students experience fresh fruits and vegetables, while balancing nutrition standards, budgets, and student preferences. Connecting these leaders directly with suppliers can help turn those challenges into more practical and scalable solutions.

“Schools make up the largest noncommercial foodservice market segment, making their presence at The Foodservice Conference essential,” said Andrew Marshall, IFPA’s Head of Wholesaler-Distributor Relations and External Partnerships. “We are honored to once again welcome a new cohort of K-12 and College & University foodservice leaders to the conference.”

New School Menu Planners Attending IFPA’s The Foodservice Conference This Year:

• Aldine Independent School District (TX)
• Alexandria City Public Schools (VA)
• Anchorage School District (AK)
• Cleveland Metropolitan School District
• Cupertino Union School District (CA)
• Fort Wayne Community Schools (IN)
• Lodi Unified School District (CA)
• Madison Metropolitan School District (WI)
• University of North Texas
• University of California – Davis
• University of California Santa Cruz
• And more!

By bringing established industry leaders together with buyers attending for the first time, IFPA is expanding the range of ideas and opportunities represented in Monterey. The event also features a new “Breakfast With Purpose” session designed with collaboration in mind.

About the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA)

The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is the largest and most diverse international association serving the entire fresh produce and floral supply chain and the only to seamlessly integrate world-facing advocacy and industry-facing support. We exist to bring the industry together to create a vibrant future for all. We grow our members’ prosperity by conducting advocacy, connecting people and ideas; and offering guidance that allows us all to take action with purpose and confidence. IFPA represents member companies from small family businesses to the largest international corporations throughout the global fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations.