Floral And Foliage Trekking In 2018

Originally printed in the December 2018 issue of Produce Business.

For supermarkets, mass markets and club stores, there always will be a connection between the worlds of Floral and Produce. At Produce Business and Floral Business, it’s our responsibility and pleasure to provide information that helps readers in their roles within these two departments.

We enjoy being eyes in the fields, on the farms and in the stores for you. Whether we are officially store-checking or enjoying flower and food adventures near or far, we have readers in mind. Thank you for your continued interest in our floral coverage. We appreciate your appetite for information, your participation and your meaningful feedback. Here is a glimpse of our 2018 floral and foliage journey.

Tropical Plant International Expo

Fort Lauderdale in January is a favored business trip for most buyers, especially if they are looking to be wowed by enchanting displays featuring foliage plants and tropicals. Hosted by FNGLA of Orlando, this event is well-attended and features tours and educational sessions.

Lucy’s Market In Atlanta, GA

This little store of wonders seems like a charming-but-dynamic business I would read about in Southern Living because of the interesting back story of owner Kim Wilson. She’s a determined woman of vision who smartly operates a fun-to-browse, local-style store featuring mostly-from-the-farm produce, enchanting gifts, gourmet prepared foods, customized gift baskets and a stimulating wine selection. Yes, there’s floral, and boy do they know how to merchandise to delight their well-heeled customers seeking above-ordinary fresh products and gifts. TIP: When in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood, pay a visit to the upstairs farmers’ market – as called by my taxi driver. It all started because of a bountiful vegetable garden.

World Floral Expo In Chicago

To capture World Floral Expo, Floral Business traveled from sunny Boca Raton to snow-laden Chicago in March. Produced by HPP Exhibitions of Amsterdam, the three-day event included impressive exhibits from international growers and flower breeders, educational sessions and the ever-popular floral design sessions.
 

Northern California Fresh Produce & Floral Expo

Held at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, CA, this produce and floral exhibition was hosted by the Fresh Produce & Floral Council, based in Anaheim. Floral Business has bonus distribution throughout the year at shows similar to this one-day event.

It’s All About Logistics

While shipping is not typically described as glamourous, a cold warehouse filled with thousands of boxes of flowers before Mother’s Day could be termed a fast and furious, nearly miraculous scene. Security was high, since west-side warehouse doors opened onto the tarmac when we toured the C.H. Robinson facility at Miami International Airport. We visit and photograph nurseries and flower farms, so photographing and learning about the consolidation and logistics side of the cold chain is just as important.

International Floriculture Expo In Chicago

Floral Business participated as an exhibitor for the third year in Chicago at the International Floriculture Expo.

Havana, Ooh Na-Na

Sometimes the ocean calls and a quick cruise happens. And sometimes reality calls and shakes you by the shoulders as a reminder to appreciate what you have. July 11 was spent in Havana, Cuba, appreciating the architecture, seeking art, and enjoying meals cooked with love while surrounded by friends. There was a brief store check and time later to nostalgically enjoy the sights and sounds at the famed Tropicana.

City of Brotherly Love

The Philadelphia area provided great opportunities for store checks and showed me that in this region Sunday shoppers are out in full force. Visiting McCaffrey’s Food Market in Blue Bell was a jaw-dropping experience in both Floral and Produce. Talking about a destination – this store abundantly displays flowers, plants, plush and gifts like no other store I have seen. For more photos and details, see the winter issue of Floral Business.

Celebrate Everything

The fall issue marked the seventh anniversary of Floral Business in the digest-size format. Mailed circulation is 24,000. Buyers from Floral and Produce also read the magazine online at FloralBusiness.com.
 
 

PMA Fresh Summit Convention and Expo, Orlando

The designated Floral Marketplace section featured a grand lobby entrance, complete with an impressive balloon arch, imaginative floral design installations and creative floral photo backdrops. Inside, exhibitors creatively demonstrated their best booth designs. During the Floral Flamingle reception, Carlos Oramas, chief executive and co-founder of Gems Group, Miami, magnanimously accepted the 2018 Floral Marketer of the Year Award, which honors lifetime efforts to advance and improve the mass-market floral industry.

Wedding Bells For Ellen

Ellen Koteff, vice president of editorial, married Francisco Uribe on Nov. 10 in front of family and friends, who had the best time celebrating the happy couple. The memorable reception was enhanced by beautiful garden roses from Alexandra Farms – grown in Colombia – the birthplace of the lucky groom.
 

New York Produce Show, NYC

Presented by Eastern Produce Council and Produce Business, the ninth-annual New York Produce Show and Conference will be held Dec. 10-13. Though mostly filled with produce for retailers and foodservice, the one-day trade show does feature a few floral companies and welcomes floral and foliage companies as exhibitors.

Here’s wishing readers good health, joy, prosperity and peace in the New Year.

The 33rd anniversary issue of Produce Business published in October included the Floral Business Masters of Innovation supplement. Written for buyers and floral teams, retailers are provided a digital file or printed copies of the supplement featuring beneficial sponsored content.