Robert Schueller

(IFPA) Global Produce & Floral 2023

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(Gerry Furth-Sides) It’s almost impossible to imagine (and photograph) the magnificence and drama of the International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Global Produce & Floral Show. We were so honored to be guests of Melissa’s, the world’s largest produce distributor. Their breath-taking island held each of their 600 items with 1006 product “skews.” Being with fellow writers was an added plus.

Below starting with the top row: Two “fruit fashionable” ladies; Chef Marco Zapian and “Melissa;” Melissa’s marketing director, Robert Schueller and me; Cary Hunyh and Kimlai “Eatin” Asian.

Melissa’s Produce, including “Melissa”, at the (IFPA) Global Produce & Floral Show

Marketing Director Robert Schueller presented a special early morning seminar covering the most current trends in healthy, organic produce and exotic fruits. Mangoes remain the biggest selling fruit in the world, although not in the United States. One unforeseen trends: “Freaky Fruit” sales growing by leaps and bounds, right in line with adult Halloween celebrations.

Our dream

Top Produce Trends 2023 are Pinkglow Pineapple; Yellow Dragon Fruit; Kim Chee (mild & hot); Ginger & Turmeric (immunity booster pack); Yellow Watermelon; Organic Ginger; Organic Turmeric.

Melissa’s tracks trends by volume each season. Baby Blue Dutch Potatoes with Baby Dutch Yellow or white “babies” remain the top selling item of the company. No wonder! They are the perfect ratio of skin to interior.Melissa’s introduced them a few years ago and supply most of the markets with them. Look for their logo on the bag next time! An insider fact: They do not turn green under lighting! They are a personal favorite of mine, too, especially “smashed!” Look @localfoodeater for the video!

Melissa’s top sellers: Baby potatoes, Elefante Green Gold Pineapple and” freaky fruit”

Two new varieties of pineapples, so exceptionally sweet and low acid that you can eat the core. We already love the Pink Glow (we made heavenly lassis out of them), Baby Yellow and Elephante Green Glow (white). The Asian melons can cost as much as $150 apiece, and are popular in Japan as hostess gifts since desserts at dinner parties are almost always fruits. Asian fruits in general continue to grow in popularity worldwide.

A Melissa’s favorite: polenta rolls (we love!) in new flavors

We get so excited to see our favorite Melissa’s products at our neighborhood Von’s and Pavilions!

We did not need the attendee survey results showing that the general opinion is “this is the best show ever.” We could see it in the packed general sessions and feel the buzzing on the show floor that stretched out over several halls. The “dancing logos” sum up the feeling.

International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Global Produce & Floral Show fun
International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Global Produce & Floral Show (photo courtesy of IFPA)

After the (245!) booths are being broken down, the produce and floral was culled for donation, and International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Global Produce & Floral Show comes to an end. We went home with samples from the first day!

The Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim brought together members from the entire supply chain from more than 60 countries, making it the largest guest list in produce and floral.  The high-energy show boasted a most impressive buyer for every 6 attendees, and so it felt busy but not overcrowded.

International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Global Produce & Floral Show (photo courtesy of IFPA)

The Expo featured over 1160 companies exhibiting including 157 first timers. In addition to networking events and the show floor,  GPFS also featured 4 keynotes,  more than 30 speakers over 12 Education Festival sessions.

International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Global Produce & Floral Show (photo courtesy of IFPA)

There was a special focus this year at the IFPA on the technology solutions on the floor including the Innovation Hub. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak started the speaker events off. The Hub included the Future Tech Pavilion, and the Fresh Field Catalyst Accelerator program with participants who are concluding their year-long program exhibiting.  IFPA’s Cathy Burns, presented a State of the Industry presentation.  

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak at the (IFPA) Global Produce & Floral Show (photo courtesy of IFPA)

“As the show grows and gets busier, the goal remains the same – we want to make sure that our members have the opportunity to make connections with the people can and  will transform their business,” said IFPA Vice President, Joe Watson.

Salsa Grill Opens and Closes the Hatch Pepper Season with Sizzle

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Chef Marco Zapian in the midst of Melissa’s Produce Hatch Pepper treasures of the 2022 season,i

(Gerry Furth-Sides) Welcome Hatch Pepper season! And it runs longest at Zapien’s Salsa Grill. The restaurant introduced this year’s early season which started in July, and the last pepper roast and special menu feast will be right outside the door on September 10. For detail please see: //thesalsagrill.com/events-2/hatch-chile-roast-3/

We were so fortunate to preview Chef Marco’s seasonal dishes at an introductory luncheon co-hosted with Melissa’s Produce, major supplier of hatch chilis and products.  The menu: Hatch Cilantro Caesar Salad; Hatch Pepper Braised Short Ribs; Roasted Hatch Pepper Beans and Hatch Pepper Rice!All the recipes are in the new HATCH PEPPER COOKBOOK available now.

Zapien’s Grill special Hatch Pepper menu with enchiladas, rice, cake and Hatch Chili ice cream!

Melissa’s delivers these full-flavored peppers to local markets, where customers may have them roasted for using and storing 25 pound batches. The peppers can be frozen for up to a year– just remember separate them first!

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The Hatch Chili Pepper Season is on!

Love at first bite! Melissa’s Hatch Salsa made with authentic Hatch peppers & house-made chips JUST out of Chef-owner Marco’s kitchen. You cannot stop eating them because of the crunch and the lingering tingle of pepper salsa.

Melissa’s Hatch Salsa made with authentic Hatch peppers & house-made chips
Anaheim peppers, baby relative of Hatch Chiles on top with the books to prepare them!

The combination of nutrient-rich soil, intense sunlight and cool desert nights, result in this sought-after pepper with thick walls and meaty, flavorful flesh. The weather in Hatch gives the mildly hot and savory pepper an obsessively delicious spicy and sweet flavor. No wonder the peppers – and the sweet onion crop grown right before them – have developed a cult following. See more at //localfoodeater.com/an-insiders-guide-to-hatch-chili-season-starting-now/

The sweetest, almost crispest onions you could image, with addictive Hatch popcorn!

More and more stores and supermarkets celebrat Hatch Chile Season and stores with outdoor roastings, many with a variation of heat levels. For dates please see: //www.melissas.com/pages/hatch-pepper-roasting-dates-and-locations-2022

For Hatch Chile roasting at supermarkets across the southland. see: //www.melissas.com/pages/hatch-pepper-roasting-dates-and-locations-2022
Hatch chilies polenta: simply slice, braise and add to any plate with for a an extra special meal

Named after the original growing area in Hatch, New Mexico, authentic Hatch Peppers so grown in the Hatch Valley, just north of Las Cruces are prized so highly they have developed an almost cult following. Row after row of these green leafy pepper plants are harvested for a short six-week season during the summer.

Sweetest memory: A Hatch Dinner at Panxa dedicated departed chef and dedicated Hatch Pepper aficionado:  Executive Chef/Co-Owner Arthur Gonzalez  ! Read about it in //localfoodeater.com/celebrates-hatch-chile-month-2018-with-panxa-cocinas-menus-roastings/

Melissa’s Produce has created a Hatch Essential line for those customers unable to do this. The line includes: Hatch Clean Snax®, Hatch dried pepper pods, Hatch pepper pecans, Hatch popcorn, Hatch polenta, Hatch salsa, Hatch seasoning powder and more.

This year an extra special, posh “hatch party pecan mix” offers every universally loved combination from yogurt and chocolate covered to red and green dusted chilies dusted. Hatch Pepper chia & flaxseed CLEAN SNAX are wonderful to pop in your mouth or used in desserts and salads.

Extra posh and the PERFECT gift for yourself and others is the new Hatch Party Pecan Mix
For a special gift: Melissa’s Produce Hatch Chile Basket
An array of For a special gift: Melissa’s Produce Hatch Chile Products!

Once we discovered Hatch Chile from Melissa’s we started seeing it all over. We loved being surprised at the ALTAMED event with Chef Marco and bags of Hatch!

Chef Marco of Zapien’s Salsa Grill who hosts the longest season of Hatch Pepper events

You can see how happy the season makes us! Robert Schueller, Melissa’s Produce Marketing Director and major authority and enthusiastic of Hatch Pepper, where with daughter Marguerite who handing out addictive hatch pepper popcorn and brittle balls – the recipes are in the HATCH PEPPER book available for purchase online!

Robert Schueller, Melissa’s Produce Marketing Director and major authority and enthusiastic of Hatch Pepper, where with daughter Marguerite who handing out addictive hatch pepper popcorn and brittle balls!