Saturday, November 12, 2011

Second Annual NY Show is a Hit!


I spent one of my days of vacation at the Annual New York Produce Show.  What a great opportunity
for those in the business to network and experience new ways to promote healthy lifestyles.

Besides the networking, I thought the show was great because those in the industry traded information, discussed different ideologies, and exchanged best in practice tactics to success.  How cool is that?

It is cool because not many industries trade information and are open to sharing some of the keys to
their success.  It is cool because this group of produce professionals are truly focused on providing safe, sustainable foods for the consumer.

The Eastern Produce Council (EPC) was the sponsor of this event and once again did a fabulous job of creating a great venue to showcase this event.

I was impressed with the turnout of people from across the country and was equally impressed by the size of the event..... my feet, however, were not so impressed.

Marianne and I walked the floor of the three exhibition rooms and at every turn we were made aware at how proud we were to be apart of this industry!

We look forward to next year's event and our feet.....well they look forward to flat, comfortable shoe options.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Produce vs Food Network

As a Produce Buyer, I get a lot of questions about the quality of fruits and vegetables, the storage of fruits and vegetables, and how to eat or serve little known specialty items.

The Food Networks have given a boon to the Produce industry and I'd like to personally thank those food celebrities and foodies who make my job just a little bit more rewarding and quite a bit more challenging.  For some, maybe "thank" is the wrong word - - "throttle'  might be more accurate.

Don't get me wrong, I love the profession that I like to say has chosen me.  I set out to be an Accountant but it seems the stars had a different path for me and for the past 12 years I have become Produce Kelly.

Bobby Flay, Ina Gartner and other celebrity Chefs and food personalities like to use some rather rare and, might I say, seasonal produce items in their fancy schmancy plated creations. 

Salads made with Calalloo and Budda Hand are great recipes and great ways to get people into the produce department.  What these fantastically creative preparers of art don't tell you is that those ingredients are only available in limited supplies maybe 3 - 4 months out of the year.

Yea, try telling that to the guy, recipe in hand, that the item needed for his perfect romantic dinner isn't availalble for a few months. 

For the most part, we in the Produce industry really love the increased consumption of fruit and vegetables that these food celebrities have bestowed upon us.  But am I unrealistic to want all recipes, food shows, and menus to have fine print that says something like:

    Limited time availability on all or some of the crazy unique items that were used in the preparation of this item and it is unseemly to yell at your produce provider for the lack thereof

Hey, just a suggestion.

Kelly