An enrapt audience attended the sold-out Keynote Breakfast that immediately preceded the 2023 New York Produce Show in the Javits Center Dec. 6.

Al Murray, executive director of the New Jersey Agricultural Society and Eastern Produce Council (EPC) board member, opened with the invocation. Murray was followed by a performance by dance students from the Harlem School of the Arts, while fellow pupils performed the U.S. national anthem a cappella.

A video tribute honored the late Marianne Santo, a three-time EPC president and senior category manager of produce and floral at Wakefern Food Corporation. Theresa Lowden, EPC president, also highlighted Santo, and also introduced the 2023 EPC Leadership class.

Ken Whitacre, chief executive and publisher of Produce Business, offered opening remarks about the passion of produce and the show’s theme of gratitude. Other remarks were made by Richard Ball, New York Commissioner of Agriculture; and Phillip Grant, chief executive of Hunt’s Point Produce Market.

During the morning’s awards presentation, Sendik’s Food Markets accepted the Most Innovative Independent Retailer award, with Kingma’s Market and The Turnip Truck named runners-up.

Harps Food Stores was named Merchandiser of the Year, while the Bon Appetit Management Company earned the Most Innovative Dining Outlet award. The Global Marketing Innovation Award went to the UK’s Veg Power for its “Eat Them to Defeat Them” campaign.

The 10 Innovation Award winners from the November issue of Produce Business were presented and invited to the stage to accept their awards.

Companies and organizations receiving this accolade were Altar Produce LLC, Ark Foods, BranchOut Food Inc., Fresh Innovations, LLC/Yo Quiero! Brands, Gold Coast Packing, Inc., Monterey Mushrooms, Naturipe Farms, So Good So You, South 40 Snacks and Taylor Farms.

The coveted Joe Nucci Award for Product Innovation in Service of Expanding Consumption of Fresh Fruits & Vegetables went to Fresh Innovations/¡Yo Quiero! for its Avocado & Egg breakfast game-changer.

Keynote speaker and Hollywood actor, Scott Christopher, used humor to show how levity can lighten up the workplace in a positive and productive way. One important takeaway was to Be Specific, by adding what “for” when thanking someone. It goes a long way.

The 14^th annual New York Produce Show and Conference (NYPS) opened following the breakfast at 10 a.m. Dec. 5. The event had a record audience of more than 5,000 executives attending the one-day trade show and three co-located events. There were 350-plus exhibiting companies and a record of 41 sponsors.

The New York Produce Show is organized by Produce Business and the Eastern Produce Council.

SAVE THE DATE!

Mark your calendar for next year’s New York Produce Show and Conference: Dec. 10-12, 2024.

And exhibitors, book your booth now, as there’s a limited time to maintain the current booth rate. Visit www.nyproduceshow.com/exhibit2024 or talk to your sales representative before Jan. 12 to lock in the 2023 rate!