The 2024 Foodservice Conference, a place to see and be seen! Last week, we had the chance to head to the conference put on by the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) in Monterey, California and talk to the IFPA's Vice President of Retail, Foodservice, & Wholesale, Joe Watson!
The IFPA Foodservice Conference had record attendance this year with more than 2,200 attendees including 1,000 foodservice buyers, operators (commercial and noncommercial, educators, especially K-12), distributors, chefs and menu developers, and in travel/tourism to their event each year. Some of the influential foodservice buyers include Chick Fil A, Cheesecake Factory, Disney, Dominoes, Cal Poly, and more!
So what are some of the trends we can expect to see in the industry this year? 2024 is the rise of spicy food! According to Watson, "One of the things that really stuck out to me is the trend around more spicy flavors. You would typically see the typical jalapeno, poblano, anaheim's, and serrano's, but now you're seeing so much line extension within the chili pepper category. And I think that that's something that's going to lend itself to a lot more opportunity for more exploration with menu inclusion with ingredients around spicy foods.”
According to Datassential, “Seventy percent of restaurants have at least one item on their menu that they call ‘spicy’.”
Spicy flavors are also emerging as a popular flavor in beverages as well. A recent study by FMCG Gurus found that 82% of consumers like spicy flavors in their drinks.
"Another thing that caught my eye was the different types of mushrooms and exotic fruits, like the pink pineapple, that are available now as more of a commodity going into food service," said Watson.
After 16 years of development, Del Monte's PinkGlow® Pineapple has hit the shelves in select stores in the US! When they hit the market, customers were spending over $45 to get their hands on one. Now, you can head to select grocery stores in the US and get one for $12.99.
"It's really fun to see the creativity behind something that we would say is a raw or a bulk product that we have bought our whole entire lives. And then now there's so many different ways that they're spinning this and it becomes exciting."
The trade show aisles were packed and buyers and chefs got the chance to see and taste the greatest the industry has to offer!
"...Everyone had smiles, and they were seeing the buyers they wanted to see, and they were having a good experience. And that is validation that we've got the right people here, the right exhibitors, the right buyers," said Watson.
Designed exclusively for produce in foodservice, it’s the place for connections, insights, and innovations that will grow your business. Mark your calendars for next year's event in Monterey July 17-19, 2025!
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