Fresh Produce Academy
Fresh Produce Academy for Operators, Distributors, Menu Developers & Chefs
Designed for Operators, Distributors, Retailers, Educators, Menu R&D and Chefs, the Fresh Produce Academy, facilitated by Chef Robert Danhi, features hands-on training for specific produce items and FPA-exclusive tours. Learn the latest fresh ideas and techniques for the selection, handling, preparation and use of fresh produce varieties.
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 consumers 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 Naturipe 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.
The last tour will be of Mann Packing Company, a family-owned company whose staff has been with the organization for generations. Founded in 1939 by H.W. "Cy" Mann, Mann Packing began as a fresh carrot operation, but quickly found its niche in broccoli. Well known today for being the world's largest shipper of fresh broccoli, Mann Packing now grows and ships more romaine lettuce than broccoli. In 1982, the company turned its attention to the foodservice industry, offering a full line of fresh-cut and commodity products with year-round availability and stable pricing.
Fresh Produce Academy Tour sponsored by Mann Packing Company.