By: Lidia Evita, Staff Writer for World Liberty TV

The Eastern Produce Council and PRODUCE BUSINESS magazine present an exciting world-class event for the industry.

The 3-day event includes networking opportunities, a one-day trade show of 300 exhibitors, Opening Keynote Breakfast, educational micro-sessions and tours of the region’s vibrant industry, including local retailers, wholesalers, foodservice distributors, and unique eateries.

The program also includes an outreach to students and faculty at regional universities as well as distinguished culinary schools, plus the “Connect with Fresh” media immersion, luncheon and show tour involving influential bloggers, consumer editors and those working with all forms of social media.

In addition to the 1-day Trade Show are three co-located conferences for those wishing to expand and enhance their visit to our one-of-a-kind produce industry experience.

Tuesday, the Foundational Excellence program – with Cornell professors offering one day of industry trends and take-aways for executives with less than 5 years in produce.

Also Tuesday, the Global Trade Symposium offers attendees the latest insights on produce importing and exporting to and from the Northeast Region.

Wednesday, our 1-day Trade Show and Exposition, featuring our Opening Keynote Breakfast, show floor educational Micro-Sessions, Chef’s Demonstrations, and the Connect with Fresh Media Immersion.

Thursday, the “Ideation Fresh” Foodservice Forum covers the role of produce in culinary innovation and foodservice profitability.

More than two dozen prominent leaders in fresh produce   discussed the state of imports, exports, logistics and seed development – as well as politics and tariffs – during Global Trade Symposium at the New York Produce Show and Conference.

The annual gathering, took place on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the Sheraton New York Times Square hotel, and feature six sessions devoted to the trade of fresh fruits and vegetables coming into and out of the United States and Canada.

The first three, including “Politics and Produce, A Global Discussion,” covered  the roller-coaster economic environment impacting the supply chain, as well as innovative ideas to ensure future growth for businesses.

“The procurement, movement and promotion of fresh produce by nature can be volatile, even in the best of economic climates,” says Ken Whitacre, CEO and President of the New York Produce Show and Produce Business magazine. “We are grateful to have such an astute group of speakers tackling critical issues head on and presenting strategic ways of solving them.”

The Symposium is the first of five major educational components of the 2025 show, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary.

Cornell University Professor Miguel Gomez kicked off the day with an overview of the global market before the panel moderated by Tom Stenzel digs into the impact of politics and policy on produce.

Key leaders whose interests span North, Central and South America – Jessie Capote (J&C Tropicals), Ron Lemaire (CPMA), John Pandol (Pandol Bros.), Chuck Zeutenhorst (FirstFruits Farms) and Fernando Cruz Morales (GCMA) – discussed  the ever-shifting landscape and provide a look at the future for fresh produce.

Continuing the theme, four panelists in the “Navigating Turbulence in Transportation and Logistics” session led by moderator Anthony Serafino (EXP Group), discussed how to preserve and improve cold chain movement of produce amid the tough economic climate.

Mike Laws (Laws Logistics), Jai Thakrar (Jalaram Fruit), Florent Philippot (Z Group USA) and Tony Martinez (Primo Trading Services/Pharr International Bridge) discussed  how companies can remain resilient amid labor shortages, tariffs and weather events by leaning into automation, AI and smart business strategies.

The father-and-son team of David and Jonah Stillman, who have gained acclaim addressing the behaviors and habits of Generation Z, were the keynote speakers at the 2025 New York Produce Show and Conference in Manhattan.

The Stillmans shared their insights on cross-generational research and Gen Z trends during the Opening Breakfast on Dec. 3 at the Jacob Javits Center.

An emphasis on upcoming generations is one of the critical themes being addressed throughout the show – with educational sessions planned on topics that hit home with younger audiences, including marketing, organics, food waste and new leadership development.

2025 Consumer Media Lunch program: By invitation only and specifically for consumer media, this workshop and lunch brings together influential business journalists, writers, bloggers, registered dietitians and food and culinary experts to help them learn more about the produce world and efforts to increase produce consumption.

This year’s luncheon   focused on the Next Gen (Z and Alpha), their eating habits and how the produce industry and consumer media can cover health, nutrition and fresh consumption.

Wildly successful last year, the program also will feature demos and products that appeal to younger generations.

They had an insightful program along with a fantastic line-up of sponsors whose products were showcased in the Guided Tasting: Dole Fresh Fruit, Fresh Gourmet Company, Crunch Time Apple Growers, California Walnuts and Katzman Produce.

The California Walnut Board was one of the Luncheon Sponsors, that  represents more than 3,700 California walnut growers and approximately 70 handlers, grown in multi-generational farmers’ family orchards. California walnuts, known for their excellent nutritional value and quality, are shipped around the world all year long, with more than 99% of the walnuts grown in the United States coming from California.

This year the industry launched a “California Walnuts. Feel Good.” consumer campaign, which aims to modernize the image of California walnuts and reposition them as a must-have ingredient.

Complete with a fresh, energetic visual identity, the industry-wide effort is aimed at millennial and Gen Z shoppers while enhancing engagement with those who already know and love California walnuts.

About Phoenix Media Network: Headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla., Phoenix Media Network has provided industry-leading insight across the fresh food and perishables industry for nearly four decades.

Founded in 1985, Phoenix Media has grown exponentially. It boasts the signature New York Produce Show as well as supporting publications, Produce Business, Deli Business, Cheese Connoisseur and PerishableNews.com.

Phoenix’s mission is to initiate industry improvement; to elevate and modernize the industry; and to help promote and foster discussions on marketing, merchandising, management and procurement.

Close to 300 Vendors were exhibiting and showcasing there produce on the exhibit floor, vendors in attendance from all over the world, which included, Sunkist, Green Giant, Hunt’s Point Produce Market, Avocados from Mexico, Dole food Company, Wonderful Sales and so much more. See more in our World Liberty TV, Food Channels and blogs by clicking here.