Foundational Excellence - New York Produce Show & Conference

FOUNDATIONAL

EXCELLENCE

Sheraton New York Times Square Tuesday, December 2, 2025

The Cornell University Future-Leaders-In-Produce Foundational Excellence Program is crafted specifically for produce industry executives with less than 5 years’ experience to fill a void of educational opportunities for this group of produce professionals.

Speakers:

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

Why attend the Foundational Excellence Program?

The produce industry offers a rich and rewarding career path along with industry-specific executive challenges. As a young professional starting out in this ever-evolving industry, or a senior executive transferred from another industry, it is important to have produce industry knowledge, support and mentorship.

What will I learn?

The Cornell University Future-Leaders-In-Produce Program was crafted specifically for produce industry executives with less than 5 years’ experience to fill a void of educational opportunities for this group of produce professionals. We invite you to join us for this career-building educational immersion into the structure and operations of the produce industry, including topics such as marketing in produce, leadership and career development, trends in cuisine, consumer trends and other critical industry issues.

2025 Agenda

SHERATON NEW YORK TIMES SQUARE, SECOND FLOOR

7:30 am

Registration

8:30 am

Breakfast

9:15 am

Welcome: Opening Remarks

Speaker: Ken Whitacre, CEO, Phoenix Media Network and Publisher, Produce Business

9:30 am

Critical Issues in the Produce Industry

Speaker: Miguel Gomez, Cornell University

The future of the fresh produce industry is being shaped by multiple economic, environmental and social forces. These include:

Labor shortages and costs
Supply chain fragility
International trade policies and regulations
Consumption trends
Economic pressures and evolving consumer preferences
Water scarcity and climate volatility

Participants will address these issues in small group discussions, formulate strategies and share their thoughts in larger group discussions to identify the primary challenges and opportunities future leaders will face as they advance their careers.

10:15 am

Coffee Break

10:30 am

Marketing Strategies for Produce

Speaker: Brad Rickard, Cornell University

Brad and Foundational participants will examine key marketing activities that have been used to promote produce consumption in the U.S. and elsewhere. The goal is to review a range of marketing strategies that have been used for produce, and to look for new ways to increase produce consumption in the United States. Participants will then be moved into small groups and given specific marketing initiatives to assess. They will provide a brief summary and discuss their thoughts and ideas with the larger group. We will consider marketing strategies that could be initiated at various stages along the supply chain – from plant breeding to farms to packers to retailers and to consumers (retail and foodservice).

11:15 am

Trends in Cuisine

Speaker: Aaron Adalja, Lecturer, Cornell University

The way produce shows up on menus is shifting rapidly as chefs, consumers, and foodservice operators respond to new culinary ideas, wellness priorities, and sustainability concerns. From global flavor influences and plant-forward dining to the rise of functional foods and creative menu formats, produce is at the heart of today’s evolving cuisine. This session will explore how these broad currents are shaping what appears on the plate, how foodservice businesses source and present fresh products, and what emerging opportunities are on the horizon for the produce industry.

Noon

Networking Lunch

1:00 pm

Young Professionals in the Produce Industry

Moderator: Cynthia Haskins, New York Apple Association.

Speakers: Marcus Albinder, Hudson River Fruit Distributors; Taylor Sears, LGS; Tyler Schneider, Cleveland Kitchen; Stephanie Tramutola, A&J Produce; Matt Zapczynski, Idaho Potato Commission; Natalia Merienne, Avocado Queen

Join us for a dynamic panel discussion featuring the fresh produce industry’s rising stars. These young professionals are innovatively shaping the future of agriculture, sustainability, and distribution. Gain insights into the challenges and opportunities they face, their perspectives on sustainability, technology integration, and consumer trends, and learn how the next generation is driving positive change in the world of fresh produce. Do not miss this opportunity to hear from and engage with the industry’s future leaders.

1:45 pm

Forecast for the Future of Produce: Discussion and Breakout Groups

Speaker: Kristen Park, Extension Associate, Cornell University

In this interactive exercise, you will vote on a series of future scenarios and then break into working groups to develop a working consensus about how thow these will impact the industry and your company. You will discuss strategies needed to prepare your company for its future challenges and opportunities.

2:30 pm

Discussion Leadership and Development for Early-Career Executives

Speaker: Bill Drake, Cornell University

The goal of this session is to provide foundational insights and perspectives that are essential for success as individuals embark on their career journeys in the produce industry. Bill will break down common myths and misconceptions about leadership, as well as critical differences between management and leadership and changing demands of leadership in career transitions.

3:15 pm

Q&A and Closing Remarks

Speaker: Miguel Gomez, Professor, Cornell University

2025 Speakers

Aaron Adalja

Associate Professor, Nolan School of Hotel Administration, Cornell University

Aaron Adalja is an associate professor of applied economics and policy. He earned his PhD in agricultural and resource economics from the University of Maryland, College Park. His research interests cover a range of topics in food and agricultural economics, where he combines consumer theory, industrial organization, and marketing to tackle empirical questions in food labeling, food safety, marketing policy, and agri-food supply chain sustainability. Before entering academia, Adalja worked as a chef de partie at Per Se, the New York City flagship of the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group, an experience that catalyzed his passion for hospitality and food economics.

Bill Drake

Director Emeritus, Executive Education, Food Industry Management Program, Cornell University

Bill is Director Emeritus of Dyson’s Food Industry Management Program (FIMP), which is widely recognized as the premier food industry education and research program in the United States. Students learn using simulations, field trips, business strategies, marketing, and management studies, combined with leadership experiences. Cornell’s Executive Education program boasts leaders from the university and in the food industry.

Miguel Gomez

Robert G. Tobin Professor of Food Marketing and Director of Food Industry Management, Cornell University

Miguel is the faculty director of the Food Industry Management Program, which is globally recognized as the premier food industry education and research program. He concentrates his research on two interrelated areas under the umbrella of food marketing and distribution. The first is food value chains competitiveness and sustainability. His work in this area involves multidisciplinary collaborations for the development models to assess supply chain performance in multiple dimensions: economic, social, and environmental. The second is food markets. Here, he combines theory and outreach methods to analyze food markets from farm to table, emphasizing key concepts such as demand response, consumer behavior, buyer-seller negotiations, market power, and retail performance.

Kristen Park

Extension Associate, Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University

Kristen conducts applied research on a variety of food marketing issues in the Food Industry Management Program, most notably for the fresh produce distribution system. She led the development of 11 case studies examining the retail supply chains for multiple, regionally produced foods. Recent projects have examined produce procurement practices around food safety and retailer assessments of minimum wage increases. She also co-authored two chapters in the book Growing Local: Case Studies on Local Food Supply Chains.

Brad Rickard

Professor, Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University

Brad is a professor of food and agricultural economics. His teaching and research focus on the economic implications of policies, innovation, and industry-led initiatives in food and beverage markets. Results from his research have been highlighted by various media outlets including Buffalo News, The Economist, Freakonomics.com, National Public Radio, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and Wine Spectator. Rickard also serves as an editor for the Journal of Wine Economics.

Marcus Albinder

Hudson River Fruit Distributors

Natalia Merienne

Avocado Queen

Tyler Schneider

Hudson River Fruit Distributors

Taylor Sears

LGS

Stephanie Tramutola

A&J Produce

Matt Zapczynski

Idaho Potato Commission

FOUNDATIONAL EXCELLENCE PROGRAM

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Enhance Your New York Produce Show Presence. With more than 5,000 produce and floral professionals attending, The New York Produce Show and Conference delivers tremendous opportunity to do more business. Reach the highest level of retail and foodservice buying decision-makers. Sponsorships enhance your exhibitor experience and add more value.

OVERALL SPONSOR (2 Available)

Champion Fresh Talent: Sponsor the Foundational Excellence Program, part of the Cornell University Future Leaders Program. Ideal for those in their first five years of the industry, regard less of age.

• 3-minute video and/or 3-minute presentation at commencement or after break
• Meter Board at the presentation stage
• Welcome to share branded printed materials with program attendees

BREAKFAST SPONSOR (3 available)

Breakfast and Foundational Excellence go hand in hand!

• 3-minute video and/or 3-minute presentation at commencement or after break
• Meter Board featuring all breakfast sponsors
• Incorporate a fresh produce item in the breakfast

COFFEE BREAK SPONSORS (1 available)

Caffeinated Excellence!

• Branded napkins
• Featured on the sponsor Meter Board at Foundational Excellence sessions

LUNCHEON SPONSORS (3 available)

Host Foundational Excellence Luncheon!

• 3-minute video and/or 3-minute presentation during lunch service
• Meter Board at the presentation stage
• Incorporate a fresh produce item in the luncheon

AUDIO/VISUAL SPONSORS (3 available)

Amplify your brand at the Foundational Excellence Sessions by sponsoring the AV throughout the sessions.

• Dedicated Meter Board identifying your brand as the crucial AV Sponsor

All sponsors receive the following special recognition:

Company logo on signage throughout the Javits Center, in hotel meeting areas, and within the official Show Directory.

Company logo on The New York Produce Show and Conference website’s sponsor page.

Sponsors recognized during opening reception, keynote breakfast and on visual communications throughout the show.

Recognition in Produce Business magazine.

To discuss tailored packages that support your marketing objectives, please contact us here.

Foundational Excellence Program

P.O. Box 810425,
Boca Raton, Florida 33481
United States

(561) 994-1118

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