A wide variety of fruits and vegetables from Guatemala will be on display throughout the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit Convention and Exposition, to be held Oct. 17-19 in Anaheim, CA.
“Buyers and attendees at the show will find many opportunities in the selection of profitable and popular products from Guatemala,” said Priscilla Lleras-Bush, GPTA coordinator. “Our members represent quality flavorful fruits including berries, bananas, mango, pineapples and rambutan. We also have trending greenhouse-grown heirloom tomatoes as well as specialty vegetables such as baby squash, Brussels sprouts, French beans, sugar snaps and fresh peas.”
Crystal Valley, for example, will showcase organic and conventional French beans, English peas, baby corn, sugar snap peas, snow peas, blackberries, heirloom tomatoes, baby squash and baby carrots.
“We offer many of our Guatemalan products bulk as well as in retail and foodservice packs,” said Katiana Valdes, marketing director for Crystal Valley. “We have recently redesigned our microwaveable, extended shelf life value-added bags. The new design is bold, modern, calls out the incredible health benefits of these fruits and vegetables, gives preparation tips, and most importantly, shows the product nicely.”
GPTA members also report on some up-and-coming products from Guatemala. “We have added fresh plantains for our U.K. business,” said Michael Sullivan, president of Agricultural Marketing Services in Doral, FL.
Developments in logistics and transportation will also be part of the Fresh Summit conversations. Since last year’s convention, Seaboard Marine has launched four new ports with direct service to Santo Tomas, Guatemala.
“These ports are Philadelphia, Brooklyn, port Newark, NJ, and Savannah, GA,” said Chris Concepcion, marketing manager of Seaboard Marine. “This is in addition to our three fixed day weekly sailings to Miami, FL, and our fixed day weekly sailing to Houston, TX, and New Orleans, LA. We are excited about connecting Guatemala to all U.S. Gulf and East Coast ports.”
Members of the Guatemala Produce Trade Association will proudly showcase numerous items and services at the following booths:
- CarbAmericas/World Wide Frozen Foods, booth No. 983
- Crystal Valley Foods, booth No. 3361
- Dave's Specialty Imports, booth No. 1048
- Harvest Sensations, booth No. 755
- Southern Specialties, booth No. 4061
- Crowley/Customized Brokers, booth No. 3024
- Seaboard Marine, booth No. 4632
- Guatemala Snow Pea Association/Guatemala, booth No. 1565
Also attending the show are GPTA members Advance Customs Brokers & Consulting, Agricultural Marketing Services, Growers Are Us and The Perishable Specialist.
