The International Fresh Produce Association's Women’s Fresh Perspectives Conference, which sold out for a fourth consecutive year, was held April 6–8 at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad, CA. The conference, designed to accelerate women’s leadership and influence across the industry, is the premier leadership event for women across the global fresh produce and floral supply chain. The event’s continued growth underscores strong demand for practical leadership development and meaningful connection opportunities for women.

The Eastern Produce Council and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture celebrated their 54-year relationship at Top Golf in Edison, NJ, on April 7. Prior to tee-off, Hugh Weathers, South Carolina's commissioner of agriculture, addressed the group one last time as he is retiring after a long and distinguished career. 

Last week, the Southeast Produce Council successfully hosted its STEP-UPP Foodservice class for an immersive spring tour, offering participants a deep dive into the produce supply chain and fostering vital grower-retailer partnerships.

STEP-UPP (Southeast Training Education Program for Upcoming Produce Professionals) serves as SEPC’s flagship educational initiative. The program is designed to provide rising leaders in the retail and foodservice sectors with a 360-degree view of the industry through a blend of strategic leadership development and hands-on, field-based training.

The educational

BOSTON — The New England Produce Council held its annual dinner dance March 14, here, at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel, with a St. Patrick’s Day theme that had attendees donning their best Emerald Isle attire.

After an elaborate cocktail hour that provided an opportunity to reconnect and network, attendees adjourned to the ballroom for the main event, where a five-course seated dinner was highlighted by a surf and turf entrée, and a lively band kept the party going for hours.

Again this year, NEPC partnered with Friends of Boston Homeless to hold a sock drive to benefit the city’s homeless

Healthy Family Project welcomed more than 200 produce industry professionals on Feb. 27 for its annual Thank You Reception during the Southeast Produce Council’s 2026 Southern Exposure event. The event celebrated the collective impact made in 2025 through retail and digital cause marketing campaigns supporting families across the country.

Through partnerships with retailers, brands and industry organizations, Healthy Family Project and its supporters raised more than $348,000 in 2025 to benefit Feeding America food banks, the Foundation for Fresh Produce, Our Military Kids and Boys & Girls

Bozzuto's hosted this year's Big B Expo March 3-4 in Uncasville, CT. This is the fifth year the two-day event was held at Mohegan Sun Casino Resort. Produce vendors from all over the country were on hand to display their latest products at the event, which provides a venue for those in the industry to connect and network, learn about the latest trends and take advantage of on-site show exclusive deals.

Bozzuto's, headquartered in Cheshire, CT, is a total service wholesale distributor of food and household products to retailers in New England, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.