Press Releases

CHICAGO, IL (June 15, 2017) – The United Fresh Produce Association is pleased to announce the members of the 2017-2018 United Fresh Produce Industry Leadership Program Leadership Class 23. Sponsored by a generous grant from DuPont Crop Protection, this program was launched in 1995 and has graduated more than 200 program participants.

CHICAGO, IL (June 15, 2017) – Five Produce Innovation Award Winners were recognized today at United Fresh 2017 – the single destination event for the total fresh supply chain. This year’s honorees were selected by show attendees from a total of 46 contestants across five categories: Best New Food Safety Solution; Best New Fruit Product; Best New Packaging; Best New Packing/Processing Equipment; and Best New Vegetable Product.   

CHICAGO, IL (June 14, 2017) – During today’s opening general session of the United FreshMKT, United FreshTEC, International Floriculture Expo and Global Cold Chain Expo, show organizers announced a fifth new expo will be co-located with the partners in June 2018.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 23, 2017) – The spring 2017 issue of United’s Fresh Insights for Foodservice report, a quarterly publication from United Fresh showcasing the latest innovations in fresh produce use in foodservice, as well as the creativity of chefs and foodservice operations in incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables to create flavorful and vibrant menus, is now available.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 22, 2017) – Lorelei DiSogra, Ed.D., R.D., Vice President, Nutrition and Health at United Fresh Produce Association, will be the honoree and featured speaker at the Reception Honoring Women in Produce, Wednesday, June 14, at United Fresh 2017 in Chicago. Prior to her decade of service to the industry at United Fresh, Lorelei was the Director of the National 5 A Day Program at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) from 2001-2005, Vice President of Nutrition at Dole Food Company from 1991-2001, and the Director of Intervention for the California 5 A Day Campaign from 1985-1991.  

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 15, 2017) – United Fresh this week announces 46 new products as finalists for the United Fresh Produce Association’s 2017 Innovation Awards. This year’s finalists will compete in five categories for the title of Best New Product at United Fresh 2017, June 13-15 in Chicago, where attendees will be able to vote for those winners during the trade show.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 12, 2017) – The United Fresh Produce Association will present its 2017 FreshTEC and FreshMKT Achievement Awards to two leaders who have made their mark on the fresh produce industry.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 3, 2017) – Doug Rauch, Co-CEO of Conscious Capitalism, will deliver the keynote at the 2017 United Fresh, International Floriculture Expo, and Global Cold Chain Expo Joint Opening General Session on Wednesday, June 14.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 11, 2017) – In response to consumer and industry trends, the 2017 United FreshMKT Expo will boast more than 40 innovative organic products in the newest show floor destination area, the Organic Showcase, June 14-15 in Chicago. According to United FreshFacts® on Retail, organics have seen continued strong growth over the years, accounting for 30% of all produce growth. In 2016, organic produce had a total of $4.46 billion in sales (a 13.2% increase over 2015); organic sales are expected to continue to rise.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 6, 2017) – Eight of the country's most exciting chefs and foodservice professionals representing an array of culinary styles and backgrounds will be honored this June as part of the United Fresh Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards Program. Sponsored by PRO*ACT LLC, and now in its tenth year, the program honors chefs and their companies for their innovative and influential use of fresh produce in the culinary arts. Winners will be honored guests at the United Fresh 2017 convention and trade show, June 13-15 in Chicago.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 6, 2017) – Held each year in conjunction with the United Fresh convention, the Reception Honoring Women in Produce recognizes the contributions of all women working in the produce industry, and selects one individual to share their personal experience of service. This year marks the 20th anniversary of this special event.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 5, 2017) – The 2017 United FreshTEC Expo will boast more than 25 top ag tech start-up companies in the newest show floor destination area, the FutureTEC Zone, June 14-15 in Chicago.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 3, 2017) – United Fresh announces the nomination period is now open for two new personal achievement awards: the United FreshMKT Achievement Award and United FreshTEC Achievement Award. Each award will honor an individual who has made significant innovations in advancing the fresh produce industry through marketing and merchandising, and technology respectively. The awards will be presented during the new United FreshMKT and United FreshTEC Conferences in Chicago on Tuesday June 13, 2017.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 7, 2017) – Ready Pac Foods, Inc. CEO Tony Sarsam will focus on the drive for innovation in fresh foods as keynote speaker at this year’s United FreshMKT Conference, debuting Tuesday, June 13 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Hundreds of retailers, foodservice, fresh foods and produce executives are anticipated to participate in the conference, held the day before the United FreshMKT Expo opening.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 6, 2017) – Marking its 13th year of recognizing exceptional retail produce managers, United Fresh Produce Association announced the honorees of its 2017 Retail Produce Manager Awards Program. The group of 25 produce managers represents supermarket banners, commissaries and independent retail stores from 14 different states and two Canadian provinces. The winners will be the honored guests at the United Fresh 2017 convention, June 13-15 in Chicago.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 24, 2017) – Taylor Farms CEO Bruce Taylor will put the spotlight on innovation as keynote speaker at this year’s United FreshTEC Conference, debuting Tuesday, June 13 at McCormick Place in Chicago. In addition to Taylor’s keynote, conference attendees will participate in expert panel discussions on Pre- and Post-Harvest Automation, Food Safety in Packing and Processing Operations, and an intense look at Controlled Growing Environments.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 7, 2017) – This January, Trade Show Executive (TSE) announced their list of the 50 fastest-growing shows held in the United States during the previous year. Fifty winners were selected based on the percentage of growth in each of the following categories: net square feet, number of exhibiting companies, and number of attendees. United Fresh’s 2016 Expo has received the honor of one of the 50 fastest growing shows in the category of number of attendees.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 1, 2017) – Registration for United Fresh 2017 is now open. The event will be held June 13-15, 2017 in the West Hall at McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago, IL. Attendees and exhibitors alike will have a more personalized experience this year with the new United FreshTEC Expo and United FreshMKT Expo, both co-located with the Global Cold Chain Expo, and the International Floriculture Expo.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 12, 2016) – United Fresh is pleased to announce that Nathan Dorn has joined the association team as Senior Technology Adviser to help build its education and trade show technology platform, supporting the new United FreshTEC Conference & Expo, June 13-15, 2017 in Chicago.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 21, 2016) – United Fresh will expand its innovation platform for the produce industry, moving its annual conference and expo into the larger West Hall at Chicago’s McCormick Place, June 13-15, 2017. The event will debut new expo features in convenience and fresh foods, robotics and supply chain technology, and conference sessions bringing attendees and exhibitors together with subject matter experts to help grow their businesses.