August 4, 2015

Everything you need to know about PROCESS EXPO 2015

On September 15-18, thousands will flock the Windy City for PROCESS EXPO 2015.

David Seckman Headshot_SPOTLIGHTThe show will feature more than 1,000 solution providers that offer the most innovative processing equipment for the produce industry. With more than 250,000 square feet of exhibit space, attendees will find new technologies from bellwether equipment manufacturers to small suppliers that can turn on a dime and offer custom-made solutions.

What can you expect at this year’s show? We got the answers from David Seckman, president and CEO of FPSA.

Produce Processing: Can you give us an overview of what to expect at PROCESS EXPO 2015?

David Seckman: This year will be the largest PROCESS EXPO to date. We have more than 1,000 companies that will be featuring the newest technology throughout the show floor. This makes our show the best place for food and beverage manufacturing professionals to find the most innovative processing and packaging machinery across the whole line.

PP: What educational content will be available for attendees?

DS: This year’s PROCESS EXPO University will feature more than 35 hours of educational sessions put on by academics from 15 of North America’s leading universities, addressing critical topics across all segments of the food and beverage industry. This will include more than 12 sessions that are directly related to produce processing, including:

  • “Fresh Juices: Cold Pressed Revolution – Headlines, Challenges and Technological Innovations,” given by Tatiana Koutchma, a research scientist in food processing in Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Guelph Food Research Center
  • “Understanding the Tomato Processing Water-energy Nexus to Improve Resource Efficiency,” given by Christopher Simmons, assistant professor of food science and technology, University of California, Davis
  • “Food Allergen Control Strategies,” given by Joseph Baumert from the Department of Food Science and Technology Food Allergy Research and Resource Program at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

These educational sessions take place on the trade show floor and are free of charge for all registered attendees.

PP: How can attendees participate in the Defeat Hunger campaign?

DS: The Defeat Hunger campaign was launched with a donation of $75,000 by the FPSA Foundation, and will include a wide variety of partners such as FPSA members, local food processors, PROCESS EXPO exhibitors and the Greater Chicago Food Depository with the goal of addressing food insecurity in greater Cook County. Our goal this year is to surpass 300,000 meals and to continue raising awareness of this critical issue.

We encourage everyone who is attending the show to make a donation, whether it’s bringing a can to the show or giving money through our website. To participate in the campaign, attendees can visit www.fpsa.org and click on the Defeat Hunger button.

PP: As a partner with Messe Dusseldorf, producer of Interpack, how will the SAVE FOOD program be promoted at PROCESS EXPO?

DS: PROCESS EXPO partners with Messe Dusseldorf and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to implement and promote the SAVE FOOD initiative, which fights global food loss. Our shared goal is to limit food waste globally and use that excess to defeat hunger worldwide. We believe that U.S. food processing and packaging companies can play influential roles in this campaign by identifying and improving efficiencies in the food supply chain and communicating the value of saving food to the consumer.

The SAVE FOOD exhibit will be located at the entrance to the east hall during PROCESS EXPO. The interactive display focuses on the issue of food waste and presents solutions for consideration. Photos, graphics and videos educate visitors about global food waste in an engaging way. In the best practice area, businesses and organizations present innovative approaches to solving the problems of food loss.

More information about PROCESS EXPO 2015 is available on the show’s website.





Be sure to check out our other specialty agriculture brands

Organic Grower