International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has announced the keynote speaker for the upcoming Global Produce & Floral Show in October. World-renowned chef, restaurateur, and humanitarian José Andrés will take the stage at this year’s event.
“Our industry has gathered in October for years to learn about what’s happening now and what’s happening next,” said Bruce Taylor, CEO of Taylor Farms and chair of the IFPA board of directors. “This year, as we mark the first Global Produce & Floral Show, we want to create an experience that challenges our thinking and expectations.”
Andrés is well known in the culinary space as a James Beard Award winner who holds two Michelin stars, but he has taken the world stage for his humanitarian work. Andrés established the World Central Kitchen in 2010 to not only empower communities through culinary training programs but also to feed and provide relief in the wake of emergencies and disasters across the globe.
“Our industry feeds people the world over,” said the incoming board of directors chair and senior merchandising director at Walmart, Laura Himes. “I’m thrilled to have José Andrés take the stage in October to speak not only of the responsibility we have as those who have stepped up to feed the world, but also the power we have to create a healthier world.”
Andrés has been on the ground in Ukraine, where World Central Kitchen has organized local partners and volunteers to serve over six million meals across the surrounding region. National Geographic has recently released the documentary “We Feed People,” which is directed by Ron Howard and focuses on the evolution of World Central Kitchen’s food relief work and examines their currently global impact.
“When we formed IFPA, we set as our vision the intent to create a vibrant future for all,” said IFPA CEO Cathy Burns. “Who better than Chef Andrés to join our global produce and floral community and inspire us with his insights and perspectives on how our industry’s products can transform the trajectory of many of the world’s biggest health challenges from nutritional insecurity to chronic, diet-related diseases.”
“Changing the World Through the Power of Food – A Conversation with José Andrés” is just one of the sessions taking place at the show in Orlando on October 27-29. It will also feature the State of Industry keynote by IFPA CEO Cathy Burns, an Industry Leader Panel, and more. These sessions are in addition to the Expo, which will run on October 28 and 29 while also including a new two-hour block on the 27th for the Business Solutions Segment.
Registration is now open for the show.
For more information:
Siobhan May
IFPA
Tel: +1 (302) 781-5855
SMay@freshproduce.com
www.freshproduce.com