Back by popular demand, this Fresh Produce Academy was developed in conjunction with, and will feature in-depth Menu Trends presentations by Chef Robert Danhi, Culinary Educationalist, Chef Danhi Inc. These dynamic sessions combine hands-on training with informative and insightful presentations by guest instructors for berries, tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, spinach, apples, onions and mushrooms.

Tours

Day 1
Begin with a tour of berry-grower Naturipe Farms, a family of farmers committed to providing good-tasting, wholesome, healthy berries that are delicious and fun to eat. Naturipe Farms takes pride in their wide selection of nutritious and delicious berries that are the right choice for a healthy lifestyle, along with the consumer's health and safety, and that of the environment by instituting standards of quality for both conventional and organic berries.
Fresh Produce Academy Tour sponsored by Naturripe Farms.

Day 2
The second FPA-exclusive tour will visit Ocean Mist Farms for hands-on training with artichokes. Since 1924, Ocean Mist Farms has pioneered the commercial planting and shipping of artichokes in Castroville and today Ocean Mist Farms is recognized as the largest artichoke operation in the United States. Commitment to their customers has always dictated a continuous emphasis on quality assurance from soil to consumer.
Fresh Produce Academy Tour sponsored by Ocean Mist Farms.

View the 2007 Fresh Produce Academy Schedule.

Back by popular demand, this Fresh Produce Academy was developed in conjunction with, and will feature in-depth Menu Trends presentations by Chef Robert Danhi, Culinary Educationalist, Chef Danhi Inc. These dynamic sessions combine hands-on training with informative and insightful presentations by guest instructors for berries, tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, spinach, apples, onions and mushrooms.

Tours

Day 1
Begin with a tour of berry-grower Naturipe Farms, a family of farmers committed to providing good-tasting, wholesome, healthy berries that are delicious and fun to eat. Naturipe Farms takes pride in their wide selection of nutritious and delicious berries that are the right choice for a healthy lifestyle, along with the consumer's health and safety, and that of the environment by instituting standards of quality for both conventional and organic berries.
Fresh Produce Academy Tour sponsored by Natureripe Farms.

Day 2
The second FPA-exclusive tour will visit Ocean Mist Farms for hands-on training with artichokes. Since 1924, Ocean Mist Farms has pioneered the commercial planting and shipping of artichokes in Castroville and today Ocean Mist Farms is recognized as the largest artichoke operation in the United States. Commitment to their customers has always dictated a continuous emphasis on quality assurance from soil to consumer.
Fresh Produce Academy Tour sponsored by Ocean Mist Farms.

View the 2007 Fresh Produce Academy Schedule.

This invitation only reception is for Gold Circle members, first time FSC attendees, board members, 3 or more members, member sponsors, and Nucci Program participants.

Take a look at today's latest trends through the eyes of rising chefs, and what's on the horizon. Discover how these innovators are weaving "what's hot" into their menus and restaurants. Chefs from different cuisine expertise, from white tablecloth to casual restaurants, will be on-hand to discuss what's fresh in food.

Russell Bry, Chief Culinary Officer of Forklift Brands, Daniela Troia, Owner/Executive Chef of Zia's Caf and Caf Troia, Greg Drescher, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Culinary Institute of America, Andy Husbands, Chef/Owner of Tremont 647 & Sister Sorel, and Suvir Saran, Executive Chef of Dvi and Veda are included in this panel discussion.

Get the latest food safety rules, regulations, and updates in legislation pertaining to specific produce commodities, and find out how these issues might affect the future of your business. This is a session you cannot afford to miss! Co-presented by PMA's Vice-President of Government Relations, Kathy Means, US Foodservice's Vice-President of Food Safety & Quality Assurance, Jorge Hernandez, and Scott Horsfall, CEO of the California Leafy Green Products Handler Marketing Agreement.

Learn from industry experts, and put what you’ve studied in the previous session to use, as you’re presented with a mock food safety crisis. Discuss with your peers how to address the issue after hearing best practices and supply chain communication tips, and ideas for working with the local/state/federal government and media. Moderated by PMA’s Vice-President of Government Relations, Kathy Means.

Not only restaurants need fresh produce! Did you know that Hotels, Resorts, and Casinos rank as the fourth largest commercial foodservice segment, generating $72 billion each year? Find out how to get your piece of the non-restaurant pie by working with outlets that use fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. Highlights of this session may include the needs of casinos, public safety, education, military, sports & entertainment, and healthcare.

Panelists include David Mizer, Vice-President Strategic Sourcing Food & Beverage, Carnival Corporation, Ron Carkoski, President & CEO of Four Seasons Produce, Inc., Patti Oliver, Director of Nutrition, UCLA Medical Center, Gary Petill, Food Services Department Director, San Diego Unified School District, and Russel Cunningham, Executive Chef at the Jurys Washington Hotel.

Allow Steven Kaun, Owner, Flavor Solutions, to introduce you to a new way of business thinking: the Strategic Culinary Flavor Business Model, which uses “Flavor”, blended with marketing strategies, to help your business succeed in today’s trend-shifting environment.

Taste and see! The Dine Around for Operators and Distributors is an opportunity to experience first-hand what local Monterey restaurants and chefs are doing with produce to increase customer satisfaction and the restaurants' profits! Enjoy a unique learning experience over tasty dishes in scenic Monterey. Separate registration is required.

The following restaurants will host the 2007 Dine Around:

6:00 - 6:45 p.m.	Cibo Ristorante Italiano	Appetizer & Salad
7:15 - 8:15 p.m.	Willy's Smokehouse	Entrée
8:30 - 9:00 p.m.	The Grill at Ryan Ranch	Dessert

Register for this year's Dine Around!

Anthony Bourdain and Walter Scheib were both schooled at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. Both are published authors. But their similarities pretty much end there. From suburban Virginia to the streets of New York, the conservative, conventional Scheib, and the uncensored, unorthodox Bourdain, will discuss their different styles, methods, and approaches to cuisine. Back by popular demand, CIA alumnus and adjunct faculty member, accomplished Chef Robert Danhi will moderate this exciting session. You won't want to miss it.

Watch and learn as Bourdain and Scheib showcase their talents and reveal their techniques using fresh produce in the preparation of diverse dishes. Chef Robert Danhi will emcee the demonstration.

Up to 150 fresh produce exhibitors will showcase their newest products and services, all designed to meet the needs of the foodservice industry.