Fresh Produce Academy
Fresh Produce Academy for Operators, Distributors, Menu Developers & Chefs
Maria Caranfa, RD
Maria Caranfa has been a driving force for Mintel Menu Insights, at Mintel International. She is well known for her analysis and commentary regarding national foodservice trends. Her key responsibilities have included providing in-depth editorial analysis for clients and evolving the Menu Insights product. Caranfa is also a noted speaker, presenting key restaurant findings to COEX, the Flavor Experience, and NRA tradeshow attendees.
Her passionate commentary has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the Nations Restaurant News, Restaurant Business, The Washington Post, Flavor & the Menu, Associated Press and The San Francisco Chronicle. Caranfa is also a regular contributor to American Dietetic Association Times. As a registered dietitian and certified health and fitness instructor from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), she has kept clients on track with the latest health and food trends. Caranfa received her Bachelors degree in Dietetics and Nutrition, Fitness and Health.
Dan Owen
Dan Owen is currently Director of Fresh Fruit Quality Assurance at Sunkist Growers, Inc. Dan is responsible for directing all quality assurance activities in import and export markets. His extensive experience with Sunkist also includes managing and coordinating activities between a 6,500 member citrus grower base and 40+ packaging facilities, as well as monitoring food safety programs. Dan has worked with citrus growers and processors in Mexico to improve farming practices and production methods. He has also worked with growers and shippers to develop new product varieties and packaging and processing methods.
Dan holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Arizona State University and currently serves on the California Citrus Quality Council.
Speaker Presentation: Citrus
Bill Schneider
Bill Schneider currently works as the Director of Marketing for Melissas/World Variety Produce, Inc. As the director of marketing for the past nine years, Bill is responsible for managing all marketing efforts for Melissas, including coordinating all trade shows and conferences. He has 16 years of experience in the Produce Industry and has worked in the Retail Grocery Industry for a total of 36 years on the supplier and vendor side. Bill holds a Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering.
Speaker Presentation: Chile Peppers
Norma Standerford
Norma Standerford is currently the Project and Merchandiser Manager at Dulcinea Farms, LLC. She has also worked as the Foodservice/Fresh-cut Business Lead at Dulcinea Farms. Previously, Norma worked on various agribusiness projects at Syngenta to meet the needs of the foodservice channel. Prior to that, she worked for five years as the Marketing Manager at Syngenta Seeds, and as Marketing Director for five years at Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onions.
Norma has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design from the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. She has taken several speaking, management and leadership professional courses and is a member of the PMA Foodservice Board.
Speaker Presentation: Cantaloupe and Watermelon
Megan McKenna
Megan McKenna is an integral part of the National Mango Board (NMB) team. In conjunction with the NMB Director of Marketing, Megan works on projects that touch every one of the groups audiences, including consumers, retailers, produce trade media, foodservice operators and trade media, and the mango industry. She has spearheaded the NMBs expanded efforts to promote mangos to foodservice and oversees every detail of this program. While Megan is a relative newcomer to the produce industry, her passion for marketing and her love of the culinary arts have allowed her to shine in this arena. Megan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Central Florida.
Speaker Presentation: Mangos
Kathy Fry
Kathy Fry works as the industry spokesperson for the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee. Her work revolves around the year-round promotion and advertisement of sweet onions. At the same time, she maintains direct contact with handlers and producers in the industry, keeps records on the industry, and generates strategic reports that meet the USDAs requirements. In addition, she also coordinates with the local community to plan the annual Sweet Onion Festival.
Kathy helped create the Washington State Produce Pavilion and served in a position that helped make Sweet Onions Washingtons State Vegetable, which was signed into law on April 20, 2007. In addition, Kathy has studied Business Administration and Accounting at Portland Community College and Walla Walla Community College.
Speaker Presentation: Walla Walla Sweet Onion