Buyer-Connect Program at New York Produce Show Connects Retailers and Vendors

In its second year at the New York Produce Show (NYPS), the Buyer-Connect program gives retailers and vendors a chance to meet during the trade show, enhance relationships and plan together for the year ahead.

The New York Produce Show and conference drew more than 5,000 executives to the one-day trade show and three co-located events, Dec. 10-12. There were 280-plus exhibiting companies and a record of 65 sponsors. The New York Produce Show is organized by PRODUCE BUSINESS and the Eastern Produce Council.

Scott Maher, produce sales manager, Roche Brothers Supermarkets, Mansfield, MA, says the show and Buyer-Connect program gave him a chance to learn about new items and programs, and the strategic goals suppliers have that align with his company’s goals.

“It is extremely important to meet and talk face-to-face with both existing vendors or new vendors,” he says. “We are able to get updates, insights on new products and strengthen existing relationships.”

In addition to building relationships, the NYPS can be a place of discovery. “I am always able to find one or two new products at the show,” he says. “The produce industry is still very much a relationship-based industry, the more people you are able to talk with, the more knowledge you can gain.”

Tim Graas, produce field procurement, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Kansas City, KS, called the Buyer-Connect program “a great opportunity to meet new vendors and to see new items in a more dedicated time slot, as opposed to just walking up to a booth and getting ‘worked in’ with all the other activity going on. Plus, selecting vendors for these meetings in advance of the show is very helpful.”

The ability to see and be seen solidifies business ties. “Building strong relationships with the vendor community is tantamount to being successful in this produce world we live in,” says Graas.

His key takeaways from the program were getting acquainted with potential new vendors. “We can start doing business within an area of the country where we are not doing much with today, in addition to some of the new items and trends we learned about that can help us become more successful at retail.”

Andy Hamilton, chief executive of Markon, Salinas, CA, says NYPS allowed him to have “some more in-depth conversations than I likely would have started without the dedicated Buyer-Connect time. While we usually talk to current suppliers and those we’re already investigating, the Buyer-Connect program helps us understand some other potential suppliers we may have not previously considered.”

Both establishing and making connections remains critical in the produce sector, Hamilton says.

“I learned the produce business by meeting face-to-face with key stakeholders, and that element of seeing, listening and hearing from someone in person will always be important to me.”

The New York Produce Show, Hamilton says, is time well spent.

“For a one-day show, there is a good, balanced perspective gained from attending,” he says. “As someone living in California, experiencing some perspectives from the largest market in the United States is important. Moreover, there are some good programs before and after the main show, which particularly have been very beneficial for our younger staff members.”

Steve Tursi, who covers the East Region for Grocery Outlet, Emeryville, CA, attended the show and made a point of the sourcing opportunities it provided. What he found beneficial was “seeing the various suppliers and how their portfolios of product change, along with the many new growing regions where produce is now being sourced, developing a greater understanding of the domestic and international supply chains.”

He also notes the show offers an opportunity to meet the retailer’s existing vendor base and talk strategically about sourcing and promotional opportunities. “More and more is necessary for engagement proactively on upcoming seasons and what promotional opportunities exist to develop a game plan for the season, prior to being in the day-to-day of the season,” says Tursi.

Because Grocery Outlet’s is a retailer expanding in a new U.S. region, Tursi says the NYPS gives him a chance “to speak to growers that have commodities growing in regions that we are new in or proactively looking at regions in the near future that will have a greater store footprint.”

New connections through the Buyer-Connect program at NYPS can become resources that can help a retail business grow.

Mike Roberts, vice president of produce operations, Harps Food Stores, Springdale, AR, says, “I made some new contacts, learned about a few items I wasn’t aware of, met some great people.”

“The produce business is a relationship-based business, so the more people you meet, the better the whole industry is. It’s vital to our industry, he adds. “New items and new contacts were my biggest takeaway from the show, and, as always, it’s great to be surrounded by colleagues and friends.”

SAVE THE DATE!

Mark your calendar for next year’s New York Produce Show and Conference: Dec. 2-4, 2025.

And exhibitors, book your booth now, as there’s limited time to maintain the current booth rate. Visit www.nyproduceshow.com/exhibit2025 or talk to your sales representative before Jan. 12, 2025, to lock in the 2024 rate!