The Eastern Produce Council and PRODUCE BUSINESS magazine present an exciting world-class event for the industry.
The four-day event includes networking opportunities, a one-day trade show of over 400 companies, retail “thought-leader” breakfast panel hosted by Perishable Pundit Jim Prevor, educational micro-sessions and tours of the region’s vibrant industry, including local retailers, wholesalers, foodservice distributors, urban farms 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.
Monday, 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
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 ‘Perishable Pundit’ Jim Prevor’s Keynote Breakfast and Thought Leaders Panel, show floor educational Micro-Sessions, Chef’s Demonstrations, the Connect with Fresh Media Immersion, and an exciting day in NYC for our Spouse and Companion Program participants.
Thursday, the “Ideation Fresh” Foodservice Forum covers the role of produce in culinary innovation and foodservice profitability.
Following Bus tours took place: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm Manhattan Retailers, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm ,New Jersey Retailers, AeroFarms Tour, 8:00 am – 3:00 pm Brooklyn Retailers & Urban Agriculture, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm Hunts Point Market, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Philadelphia Produce Market & Wegmans. We at World Liberty have done all the tours since attending the New Produce show since it started 11 years ago. Our team went to Philadelphia Produce Market and Wegmans.
On Wednesday Myra Gordon, who worked at the Hunters Point Market for 35 years. Was honored with the lifetime Achievement Proclamation from The New York Governor’s Office Kathy Hochul for her 35 years of service in the produce sector and being a pioneering woman and opening many doors for woman who are working in the Produce Sector.
We want to congratulate Mr Jim Prevor, and Ken Whitacre in conjunction with the Eastern Produce Council, for bringing everyone together in person, alongside their staff members who did a wonderful job of putting on a Show and Expo on this magnitude.
See more in our World Liberty TV, Food and Wine Channel and blogs by clicking here.
The Eastern Produce Council and PRODUCE BUSINESS magazine have once again joined forces to present an exciting world-class event for the industry.
The four-day event includes networking opportunities, a one-day trade show of over 400 companies, retail “thought-leader” breakfast panel hosted by Perishable Pundit Jim Prevor, educational micro-sessions and tours of the region’s vibrant industry, including local retailers, wholesalers, food service distributors, urban farms 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.
Back by popular demand are three co-located conferences for those who wish to come early and/or stay later.
See More about The New York Produce Show 2017, in our World Liberty TV Food & Wine Blogs by Clicking here.
The Eastern Produce Council and PRODUCE BUSINESS magazine have once again joined forces to present an exciting world-class event for the industry. The four-day event includes networking opportunities, a one-day trade show of over 400 companies, retail “thought-leader” breakfast panel hosted by Perishable Pundit Jim Prevor, educational micro-sessions and tours of the region’s vibrant industry, including local retailers, wholesalers, foodservice distributors, urban farms 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.
Back by popular demand are three co-located conferences for those who wish to come early and/or stay later:
Monday, December 5, 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;
Tuesday, December 6, the Global Trade Symposium offers attendees the latest insights on produce importing and exporting to and from the Northeast Region;
Thursday, December 8, the “Ideation Fresh” Foodservice Forum, covers the role of produce in culinary innovation and foodservice profitability.
Tuesday’s Opening Cocktail Reception and Wednesday’s events were free to representatives of buying organizations, including retailers, wholesalers, and procurement executives at restaurants and other foodservice operators.
Supply-side business types in the industry can purchase admission to the trade show and enjoy our Opening Night Cocktail Reception and Keynote Breakfast.
“Celebrating Fresh” is the theme of our conference, and there’s no better way to start celebrating than to be in New York City , The Event Capital of the World.
See More of New York Produce Show and Conference -2016 in World Liberty TV Food and Wine Channel by Clicking Here.
The annual New York Produce Show and Conference (NYPS) opened Dec.10-12 2024, with Where PASSION BECOMES ACTION as the overall theme.
The show had a record audience of more than 5,000 executives attending the one-day trade show and three co-located events.
There were close to 350-plus exhibiting companies and a record of 41 sponsors. The New York Produce Show is organized by Produce Business and the Eastern Produce Council.
“Feeling grateful and showing our gratitude can be our choice as we endeavor to change forever how we experience the challenges and blessings presented by our vibrant and vital produce industry,” says Ken Whitacre, chief executive/publisher, Produce Business.
The conference opened Tuesday with the Global Trade Symposium at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel.
The symposium provided an intensive look into global trade from the perspective of produce moving in Routes of Success.
The critical strategies and roadmaps importers use to bring the freshest, highest quality produce into the U.S. and Canada from every corner of the globe.
Some of the topics included; The Global scope of the U.S. Produce industry, importing from Mexico leveraging the most valuable Partnership, importing from Central America, importing from Europe, North America and South Africa: Leveraging the seasons and Transportation and Logistics, The dynamics of shipping and delivery.
Some of the Speakers for the Global Trade Symposium included: Ron Lemaire, President, Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA), John Pandol, director of Special projects, Pandol Bros, Andres Ocampo, CEO, HLB Specialties, Robert Schueller, Director of Public Relations, Melissa’s, Alejandro Moralejo, CEO Salix fruits, Peng Liu, President Orchard direct and many more.
Rising Star Reception 40 under 40, young and brilliant minds involved in the produce business were honored, during this VIP and only invite reception.
Opening Cocktail reception took place, on the opening day, with who is who? of produce business in attendance, networking, enjoying drinks and good food.
The Next day Dec 11th 2024, we are at New York Javits Center, welcoming remarks by Susan McAleavey Sarlund, Executive Director, Eastern Produce Council, and Co- Organizer of the Show Alongside Produce Business.
Next up Remarks by Theresa Lowden, President, Eastern Produce Council, (EPC), Executive Vice President Produce and Floral JOH. Also Presented Produce Business innovation awards, as well as The Joe Nucci Award, Consumption Awards Recognition.
National Anthem was performed by Harlem School of the Arts. Keynote speaker was Matthew Luhn, Former creative lead, Disney/Pixar (Monsters Inc., Cars, Toy Story), Mr. Luhn’s Speech was one of the best speeches I heard for a long time, you can listen partially to it by clicking link below.
The Ribbon Cutting took place just before the Show floor opened up, with VIP people in attendance from the produce world, cutting the ribbon and officially opening the show floor.
Consumer Media and Influencers Explore Health, Consumption at NYPS Media Lunch, A select group of 65 consumer media and influencers discussed and debated health trends, produce prescriptions and how to increase produce consumption to affect health during a private luncheon and presentation held during the New York Produce Show on December11, 2024.
Attending the event were top journalists which included our Chief Editor, Dr Adal Muneer, For World Liberty TV, Food Channels and dieticians from cooking magazines, social media, radio programs, news services and television as well as retail store dieticians.
Stefanie Katzman of wholesaler S. Katzman Produce welcomed the group, talking about the role of Hunts Point Market as well as the importance of increasing produce consumption.
Main speaker Marion Nestle, the Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, Emerita, at New York University, presented a provocative message looking at produce prescriptions and the politics of dietary choice and influencing consumption.
“We must address the politics of produce in America, from production to consumption, and argue for policy changes to make a positive difference in produce intake and population health,” said Nestle. “We need to rebalance the discussion.”
Attendees discussed the practical aspects of how to integrate more produce into diets with
Katie Calligaro, director marketing and communications at The Foundation for Fresh
Produce. “Plant-passionate communicators can help improve health through encouraging readers and shoppers to incorporate more fruits and vegetables,” she said. “We know nine out of ten Americans are not eating enough fruits and vegetables.
We want to help our communicators have access to the best information so they can deliver consistent, positive and inspirational content directly to consumers as we work together to improve consumption. This group is imperative to meeting consumers where they are.”
For a hands-on component, Robert Schueller of Melissa’s showcased unique specialty produce items and discussed Melissa’s top 20 trending specialty items for 2025 including top five: dutch yellow potatoes, ginger, baby red potatoes, steamed lentils and steamed red beets. “Reasons driving these trends are color, convenience, cross-cultural, organic, and plant based,” he says. “But, overall it still comes down to flavor.”
Attendees were treated to a fun, guided tasting of uncommon produce flavors by culinary expert Jill Overdorf of the Produce Ambassador. Additionally, event co-sponsor Thx!
Dreams, discussed its socially conscious program that partners with produce brands to provide authentic connections between shoppers and farmworkers. The initiative works to help farmworkers achieve their personal dreams.
See much more about New York Produce Show 2024, in our World Liberty TV, Food Channels by clicking here.
The 14th annual New York Produce Show and Conference (NYPS) opened Dec. 5, with GRATITUDE as the overall theme. The show had a record audience of more than 5,000 executives attending the one-day trade show and three co-located events.
There were 350-plus exhibiting companies and a record of 41 sponsors. The New York Produce Show is organized by Produce Business and the Eastern Produce Council.
“Feeling grateful and showing our gratitude can be our choice as we endeavor to change forever how we experience the challenges and blessings presented by our vibrant and vital produce industry,” says Ken Whitacre, chief executive/publisher, Produce Business.
The conference opened Tuesday with the Global Trade Symposium at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel.
The symposium provided an intensive look into global trade from the perspective of produce moving in and out of the East Coast via land and sea.
Session topics included global trends; export and import challenges and opportunities; land port updates; and updates on avocados, citrus, grapes and mangos.
Mark your calendar for next year’s New York Produce Show and Conference: Dec. 10–12, 2024.
Connect with Fresh Media and Influencer Lunch at the New York Produce Show, Wednesday, December 6 at 11am at the Javits Center in New York City.
This complimentary lunch and program is a lunch workshop for qualified media only, including influential business journalists, writers, registered dietitians, lifestyle bloggers, and food and culinary experts.
Speaker’s Included: Dan Parker from Veg Power to talk about consumption promotion. Veg Power is a not-for-profit alliance of government, business, community and celebrities founded to turn around vegetable consumption in the UK. It uses advertising and communications to inspire kids to eat vegetables and create life-long good food habits that they will, in turn, share with their children. Their multi-award winning “Eat Them to Defeat Them” program has millions of children eating more vegetables.
Presenter Envy Apples and Chef Abbie Gellman, who shared some delicious flavors and recipes.
Live healthy Cooking demonstrations took place at the luncheon, close to 50 media from the culinary world were in attendance, enjoying speakers, cooking demonstrations, while enjoying lunch same time.
See more of the Lunch speakers in our World Liberty TV, Food Review channels by clicking here.
We want to thank Jodean Robbins Duarte, Coordinator, NYPS Consumer Media and Influencer Lunch Contributing Editor, Produce Business magazine, for inviting us annually.
It was our 14th Appearance covering the 14th annual New York Produce Show and Conference NYC-2023, it always gets bigger and better every year. We want to give Condolences to the family of Mrs. Santos, the late Marianne Santo, three-time president of Eastern Produce Council and senior category manager of produce and floral at Wakefern Food Corp., was honored with a video tribute, who passed away earlier this year.
I truly enjoyed meeting Mrs. Santos annually for the past five years, a wonderful warm kind loving personality, made you feel special when she spoke to you. You will be deeply missed but never forgotten RIP.
See more in about 14th annual New York Produce Show and Conference NYC-2023, in our World Liberty TV, Food Channels by clicking here.
The Eastern Produce Council and PRODUCE BUSINESS magazine have once again joined forces to present an exciting world-class event for the industry. The three-day event includes networking opportunities, a trade show of over 400 companies, retail “thought-leader” panel hosted by Perishable Pundit Jim Prevor, educational micro-sessions and tours of the region’s vibrant industry, including the local retailers, wholesalers, foodservice distributors and urban farms and unique eateries.
The program also includes an outreach to students and faculty at regional universities as well as distinguished culinary schools; a media immersion program involving print, radio, TV and online outlets, plus a “Consumer Influencer” luncheon and show tour reaching out to bloggers, consumer editors and those working with all forms of social media.
Back by popular demand are two mini conferences for those who wish to come early and/or stay later. On Tuesday, December 2, the Global Trade Symposium will offer attendees the latest insights on produce importing and exporting to and from the Northeast Region. On Thursday, December 4, the Foodservice Forum “Ideation Fresh” will cover the role of produce in culinary innovation.
Tuesday’s Opening Cocktail Reception and Wednesday’s events are free to representatives of buying organizations, including retailers, wholesalers, and chefs, menu-planners and procurement executives at restaurants and other foodservice operators.
Other business types in the industry can purchase admission to the trade show and enjoy our Opening Night Cocktail Reception and Keynote Breakfast .
“Celebrating Fresh” is the theme of our conference, and there’s no better way to start celebrating than to be in New York City on December 2-4, 2014.
A joyful day of culinary discovery brings together 3,500+ chefs from across the East Coast with 270+ farmers and specialty producers from around the world, offers delightful beachside “boardwalk” programming, and spotlights industry leaders Matty Matheson, Christian Petroni, Missy Robbins, Paul Carmichael, Matt Rodbard, Tiffani Faison, Marian Chang, Tim Ma, and more.
Baldor Specialty Foods, one of the largest distributors of premium produce and specialty foods in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, returned with Baldor BITE 2026, the biennial gathering of hospitality professionals with the farmers and specialty producers who power and shape the modern food industry, on April 21, 2026, at Basketball City at Pier 36 in New York City.
Centered around BITE’s whimsical ethos “Play With Your Food,” BITE 2026 comes to life with a nostalgic and convivial summer boardwalk theme that aims to take chefs out of the relentlessness of the kitchen in order to enjoy some early vacation vibes.
Connecting the dots between more than 16,000 customers and over 1,000 farm and supplier partners, Baldor Specialty Foods is the trusted purveyor of choice for some of the world’s most acclaimed chefs, restaurants, and hospitality groups—including Eleven Madison Park, Le Bernardin, Major Food Group, Jean-Georges, Union Square Hospitality—alongside neighborhood favorites, quick service restaurants, hospitals, schools, retailers such as Eataly and Union Market and event spaces, like Madison Square Garden and the US Open.
“Baldor BITE is our way of turning the tables of hospitality on our customers, who provide delicious and memorable experiences to their customers every day. It’s also a way for us to enable the success of our suppliers, by helping more chefs discover their products,” says Margaret Magnarelli, VP of Marketing & Communications, who oversees the event.
“At Baldor, we say we’re the ‘to’ in the phrase ‘farm to fork’ and this day it’s a special opportunity for us to live that promise, and in an environment that is as delightful as it is delicious.”
The show floor featured 271 exhibitors representing the full catalog of Baldor’s offerings, broken up by protein, produce, dairy, bakery, and grocery areas, a pop-up Farmers’ Market featuring small regional farms like Meadows and More, Norwich Meadows Farm, and Taproot Farms, and a new Emerging Brands spotlight showcasing up-and-coming producers that need to be on culinarians’ radars.
Among the exhibitors will be B&W Quality Growers, Driscoll’s, La Trafila, Natalie’s Island Juice Co, Gotham Greens, Tanimura & Antle, Zero Acre Farms, Upside Foods, and many more.
In addition to showcasing exhibitors, BITE notably spotlights chef and supplier thought leaders through various panels and programming. The event features a keynote by chef and television personality Matty Matheson (The Bear, Just a Dash) in conversation with Chef Christian Petroni, New York Times bestselling author of Parm to Table. Other headlining talent included Matt Rodbard (Editor-in-Chief of TASTE), Chef Missy Robbins (Lilia, Misi), Chef Paul Carmichael (Kabawa), Chef Tiffani Faison (chef, restaurateur, and judge on Chopped), and Chef Tim Ma (Tim Ma Hospitality).
Highlights from BITE 2026 include: Keynote Conversation: Matty Matheson: Unfiltered. A keynote conversation between chef and television personality Matty Matheson and New York Times best-selling author Chef Christian Petroni, where they will discuss restaurant culture, creativity in the kitchen, and the evolving role of chefs in shaping food communities.
The Chef’s Table: What It Takes to Achieve Success in Today’s Culinary World. Moderated by Editor-in-Chief of TASTE Matt Rodbard, this panel brings together leading chefs and restaurateurs, including Chef Missy Robbins, Chef Paul Carmichael, Tiffani Faison, and Chef Tim Ma, to explore how restaurants are evolving, from sourcing and sustainability to leadership and culinary creativity.
The Flavor Makers: From Farm to Phenomenon. How Suppliers Behind Beloved Ingredients Ensure the Best for Your Kitchen. Highlighting the farmers and producers powering restaurant kitchens, this discussion will feature Garland S. Reiter Jr., Chief Commercial Officer (Driscoll’s), Dan Rohrberg, VP of Sales (DemKota Ranch Beef), Saleena Subaiya, Founder (BKE Kombucha), Marian Cheng, Co-Founder & CBO, (Mimi Cheng’s Dumplings), and Aaron Choi, Founder (Girl & Dug Farm)
Golden Meat Co. Hot Dog Eating Contest: Chef-led gourmet hot dog eating charity competition, with participating chefs to be announced.
Cutting Demo: Golden Meat Co.: A live demonstration of a whole rib roast broken down into steaks, showcasing Baldor’s premium meat program through Golden Meat Co., its in-house butcher and meat supplier.
Cutting Demo: Pierless Fish: See the art of big fish butchery up close as Baldor’s in-house expert fishmongers demonstrate initial breakdown to portioning.
Parmesan Wheel Cracking: Italian cheese supplier Ambrosi will present a live cracking of a full wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano, showcasing traditional cheese presentation and service, and a technique-driven demonstration on how to perfect Rome’s most iconic pasta dish, Cacio e Pepe.
Pastry Demo: Strawberry Shortcake with Driscoll’s Berries. Pastry Chef Jatee Kearsley of Je T’aime Patisserie, in collaboration with Farmers Direct and Driscoll’s, will prepare a seasonal strawberry shortcake highlighting peak berries.
Demo & New Ingredient Showcase: Zucchiolo. Casa Pons and Malena Produce will introduce Zucchiolo, a new vegetable developed in South Spain, making its U.S. culinary debut through a live ratatouille demonstration that offers a fresh take on the Provençal classic.
About Baldor Specialty Foods: Baldor Specialty Foods is one of the largest distributors of premium produce, specialty foods, dairy, meat, and fish in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, with more than 16,000 customers and over 1,000 farm and producer partners. Beginning as Balducci’s Fruit Stand in New York City’s Greenwich Village in 1946, and spun off as a separate company in 1991, Baldor maintains its original commitment to freshness, flavor, quality, and service.
Baldor’s reliability and commitment to quality you can trust and service that delivers make it the purveyor of choice for some of the world’s most acclaimed chefs, restaurants, and hospitality groups, including Eleven Madison Park, Le Bernardin, Major Food Group, Jean-Georges, and Union Square Hospitality. By providing quality ingredients, innovative solutions, and seamless logistical experiences, Baldor frees up chefs’ headspace to focus on creativity rather than supply chain logistics.
This trusted network extends beyond restaurants to include corporations, hospitals, schools, and major retailers and event spaces—from Madison Square Garden to the US Open to Eataly, and beyond.
From that fruit stand push cart start, Baldor has grown into one of the largest distributors of premium food in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. While founded as a produce company, Baldor has strategically expanded its catalogue to cover the entirety of the plate, distributing over 6,000 SKUs, including specialty foods, meat (via its Golden Meat Co. acquisition), fish (via its Pierless Fish acquisition), and dairy.
The business remains in the family, under the leadership of CEO T.J. Murphy, and maintains its original commitment to freshness, flavor, and meticulous service that was praised early on by food icons like James Beard.
Underpinning Baldor’s growth is a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing, driven by a diverse network of carefully curated farm and producer partners across the country and the world.
These vendors—be they generational farmers or emerging agriculturists and makers—are true experts, and are committed not only to the highest quality food but also to social responsibility and improving the conditions for their crops and animals.
It was a very wonderful event, company’s and brands from all over the world, showcasing their great brands, thousands of people in attendance interested and learning more of the partners involved with Baldor Specialty Foods, tasting there foods and getting a deeper under5standing of the food companies.
See more in our World Liberty TV, Food and Wine Channels, Blogs and who is who? of the food world in our Photo-galleries by clicking here.
