Insightful speakers, including retailers, marketers, suppliers and growers, will seek to initiate industry improvement with regards to fresh produce consumption, sector employment, circular agriculture and food waste.
The London Produce Show and Conference (LPS) is proud to announce another thought-provoking and invaluable Educational Seminar Programme for the 2019 edition of its world-class event, which will be held on June 5-7 at the Grosvenor House, a 5-star JW Marriott hotel on London’s iconic Park Lane.
Addressing some of the most critical and timely opportunities and challenges for the fresh fruit and vegetable industry at present, the programme will inspire attendees to achieve their full potential with regards to plant-based diets, labour, leadership, consumption, ‘imperfect’ produce, food waste and circular agriculture.
A fascinating line-up of speakers, including retailers, marketers, suppliers and growers representing the breadth of the supply chain, are confirmed to participate in the programme, which takes place on Thursday June 6, running concurrent to the LPS one-day trade show.
The Educational Seminar Programme will serve as a platform for global fresh produce industry thought and practice leaders to share their vast knowledge, experience and expertise of pivotal topics, thereby giving LPS attendees the chance to discover new opportunities, to spark thoughtful debate and to learn how to drive forward their business and the industry at large.
Nurturing leadership
Ben Bardsley, Chairman of the Next Gen Fruit Group, will speak about the importance of nurturing the next generation of UK fruit industry leaders in order to guarantee the longevity of produce supply as demanded by British retailers and consumers.
Bardsley will reveal how the Next Gen Fruit Group (formally the Under 40s Fruit Growers Organisation) is on a mission to attract as many young people as possible to work in the fruit supply chain – from production to retail – and, in turn, create an environment of learning, networking and enjoyment amongst future leaders for the benefit of the entire produce industry.
Promoting produce
Next up, Maria Wieloch, Senior Category Manager for fruit, vegetables and flowers at retailer ICA Gruppen in Sweden, will inspire attendees to help encourage shoppers, and especially children, to ditch the chocolate and sugary treats in favour of fresh fruits and vegetables during the holidays.
Sweden’s largest supermarket chain ICA is creating initiatives to encourage kids to eat more healthily during holiday periods such as Easter and Christmas, and Wieloch will share some of these successful initiatives, as well as other commercial initiatives used by ICA to raise produce consumption among all of its customers throughout the year.
Wonky & surplus produce
After that, Emilie Vanpoperinghe, Co-Founder of social enterprise Oddbox - ‘London’s first and only’ wonky veg box subscription scheme - will highlight the opportunities and advantages of reducing one’s impact on the planet, tackling food waste, and raising fresh produce consumption and sales by making more misshapen and surplus fresh fruits and vegetables available to consumers.
For more information:
Linda Bloomfield
London Produce Show and Conference
Tel: +44 (0)7711 509709
Email: linda.bloomfield@producebusinessuk.com