New York Produce Show Sparkles In 15th Anniversary Celebration of Fresh

Dazzling receptions, a bustling trade show floor and expanded Buyer-Connect program highlight the December conference in Manhattan.

The New York Produce Show and Conference celebrated its 15th anniversary with a spark of fresh energy during the first week of December, welcoming in more than 3,300 registered attendees and 300 exhibitors to a jam-packed Javits Center and Sheraton Times Square hotel in Manhattan.

Presented by the Eastern Produce Council and Produce Business, the Conference was highlighted by its three signature events – the Opening Cocktail Reception, Keynote Breakfast/Awards Ceremony and Exhibitor Trade Show, all of which filled to capacity with retailers, foodservice operators/distributors, wholesalers, marketers, and a host of major high-volume decision-makers.

In addition to the numerous networking opportunities, guests gathered in and around the city, which was aglow from the holiday décor and tree lighting at Rockefeller Center. Attendees who come again in 2026 will get to enjoy the same sparkle as December dates will remain the same – Dec. 2 to Dec. 4 – with the Opening Cocktail Reception on the same night as the tree lighting and the Keynote Breakfast and Trade Show the next day.

“We could not have asked for a more spirited or active atmosphere to hold this special event – and we get to do it all again at the same time next year,” said Ken Whitacre, CEO of The New York Produce Show and Publisher of Produce Business magazine. “We thank everyone for coming to New York and really embracing the chance to connect with colleagues and learn about the latest trends on the buying side of the industry. It was a great, great show.”

From the opening breakfast at the Global Trade Symposium on Tuesday to the final plate being cleared at the James Beard House, where the Foodservice Forum took place, the show provided spectacular twists throughout the three days.

At Global Trade, the morning sessions took aim at the roller-coaster economic and political environment impacting produce before the program switched sharply to international seed development and marketing of imports and exports to and from the U.S. and Canada. Attendees lauded the wide-ranging program and the 40-plus panelists representing the very best companies, commodity boards and agencies in produce.

At the adjacent Cornell University-led Foundational Excellence program, lectures gave way to dynamic breakout discussions among young industry members, who proposed nimble solutions for the next generation of produce leaders.

“The thoughtful programming, access to industry leaders and intentional networking create real opportunities for growth and connection,” said Produce Professionals panelist Stephanie Tramutola, Director of Marketing and Administration at A&J Produce in the Bronx, N.Y. “Each year, I leave feeling inspired, supported and excited about the future of produce.”

That future was on full display at the Rising Star Reception, where Whitacre honored both the 2025 Produce Business 40-under-Forty Class and 20 years of alumni who have risen to top positions in produce. In addition, members of the Eastern Produce Council Leadership Program were recognized during the ceremony. The Opening Cocktail Reception, which followed, drew 1,000 guests who toasted each other for their efforts to boost produce consumption in 2025.

“Attending the trade show was an outstanding experience,” said Noelle Neary, Produce Category Manager at Wakefern. “I made valuable connections, met a wide range of suppliers and had productive meetings that will drive future opportunities. The event truly exceeded expectations and proved to be an excellent platform for networking and growth.”

The buzz carried over on Day 2 to the Keynote Breakfast, where father-and-son speaker team David and Jonah Stillman spoke about the challenges and opportunities in working with various generations. Before the keynote address, Whitacre presented numerous awards, including:

• Merchandiser of the Year to Thomas Cingari, Jr of Cingari Markets;
• Crystal lightbulb trophies to the Produce Business 10 Innovation Award winners and the overall Joe Nucci Prize for Product Innovation to Blandon, PA-based Giorgio Fresh, for its Mushroom Grill Packs;
• A Lifetime Achievement Award to Hugh Weathers of the South Carolina Department of Agriculture; and
• Global Marketing Initiative Award to Belinda Wilson and the team at IFPA-Australia-NZ for its promotional work with The Wiggles to get children to eat more fruits and veggies.

After a Ribbon Cutting with State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball, members of the EPC and other luminaries, the trade show floor opened for seven hours of frenzied networking. In addition to four educational sessions on the Industry Insights Stage, one of the biggest splashes was the expanded Buyer-Connect program, which gave exhibitors the chance to meet directly with key produce decision-makers. Students escorted those buyers to more than 30 booths during Buyer-Connect.

“The revisions to the Foundational Excellence Program, the Student Mentoring Program along with the new Buyer-Connect Program was tremendous” said Joe Ventola, Assistant Dean in the Office of Academic Programs at Rutgers University. “The students were fully engaged like never before and achieved positive professional growth by these experiences and with the conference overall. The buyers went over and above to help students.”

One of the biggest changes this year was moving the IdEATion Fresh Foodservice Forum offsite to the De Gustibus School of Cooking by Miele at Macy’s Herald Square and the James Beard House. At the cooking school, the limited guest list tasted an array of world-class dishes and specialty items prepared by Roland Foods executive chefs Robert Chiasson and Maya Lederer. At the Beard House, celebrity guest chef Shenarri Freeman prepared a five-course tasting experience for the foodservice professionals.