PMA Foodservice Conference Offers Best-Practice Solutions

Newark, Del. — While the economy is beginning to show signs of recovery, foodservice customers aren’t expected to return to their previous behaviors anytime soon. Succeeding in this new normal requires clear command of foodservice opportunities and issues to “Get Cooking!”, the theme of the Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) 2010 Foodservice Conference & Exposition July 30-Aug. 1 in Monterey, Calif., USA.

Giving produce a bigger part of the plate benefits everyone at the table, so the conference’s opening session will update attendees on Foodservice 2020, an initiative announced at last year’s conference to double produce use in foodservice in 10 years. One year in, this session will serve up fresh thinking on ways to meet the goal and put the foodservice and produce industries in the forefront of providing solutions to the obesity epidemic, from initiative partners PMA, National Restaurant Association and International Foodservice Distributors Association.

“The produce industry is perfectly suited to provide answers to many of the challenges facing restaurants and foodservice today,” said Bryan Silbermann, PMA president & CEO. “Now more than ever, we are in a position to step up as thought leaders and solution providers to offer consumers great tasting, healthy solutions, while at the same time helping to grow the bottom line for our foodservice customers.”

PMA’s conference is the only event that focuses on produce in foodservice, bringing together operators, wholesalers, distributors and brokers with grower-shippers, processors, promotional organizations, and other product and service providers. The conference sold out in 2009, and the 2010 exposition is already sold out with a waiting list.

Sizzling ideas and insights will be dished out in a lively discussion session, followed by a cooking demonstration, by three renowned chefs: Rick Bayless, restaurateur, author and PBS TV host of “Mexico One Plate at a Time”; Eric Justice, executive chef of the national Pei Wei chain; and William Bloxsom-Carter, executive chef/food & beverage director for Los Angeles’ Playboy Mansion West. Each will present highlights of their career and offer their unique perspective on foodservice trends, moderated by PMA consulting chef and cookbook author Chef Robert Danhi.

The conference will also feature new looks at top foodservice and produce trends. In one session, researchers from University of California at Davis will share highlights of four successful case studies on sourcing locally grown produce. Another hot industry topic, food safety and the related issue of traceability will be addressed in a face-to-face session between government and industry.

“We plan to meet the industry’s biggest issues head on in our sessions this year and offer real-world solutions,” Silbermann said.

In addition to numerous networking events being held throughout the conference – such as the opening and closing receptions, other meal events and refreshment breaks – this year’s event will also feature a special educational session on effective networking.

The conference will conclude with PMA’s afternoon Foodservice Produce Exposition, featuring new products and services from 149 exhibitors, that has been dubbed “the best five hours in foodservice.”

Other highlights of the 2010 PMA Foodservice Conference & Exposition include:

· Tours of produce fields and facilities, available for foodservice distributors, operators and wholesalers only

· PMA Foundation for Industry Talent (FIT) 5th Annual Golf Tournament, benefitting FIT’s Nucci Scholarship for Culinary Innovation

· PMA FIT Fresh Perspective: Women’s Networking Event, an evening reception providing the opportunity for an intimate group of industry newcomers and veterans to come together to learn and network

· PMA FIT 5K Run/Walk

Attendees can register early and save – by June 18 if registering by fax or mail, and July 2 if registering online. Foodservice operators can receive significant discounts on 2010 conference registration rates, but space is limited, so register early. Note that the deadline to book discounted housing is June 24; the deadline to pre-register is July 16.

Source: Produce Marketing Association