Field tours to kick off 2014 PMA Foodservice Conference
PMA Foodservice Conference attendees will get a fresh look at leading crops on an exclusive visit to some of Salinas Valley’s fields and facilities on the Behind the Scenes: Field & Plant Tour. In addition to facility tours, registrants will get a field-to-fork perspective of these crops as they learn growing, picking, packing and culinary preparation tips.
“This will be our ninth year hosting the PMA Foodservice tour groups,” said Kori Tuggle, director of marketing and business development at Ocean Mist Farms. “The event is right in our backyard, and we appreciate the opportunity to showcase our program and educate attendees about the commodities we grow.” The Ocean Mist Farms stop of the tour will highlight their full line of premium fresh vegetables with a special focus on their heirloom artichokes and Brussels sprouts.
Braga Fresh Family Farms will share insights about how they produce organic and conventional leafy greens, broccoli, beets and a growing line of herbs. “Everyone who visits Braga Ranch gains appreciation for the complexity of agriculture and the bond of a generational family farm,” said Rod Braga, president and CEO of Braga Fresh Family Farms. “We’re excited about the opportunity to welcome PMA members and students to our home ranch and give them a unique education about what it takes to grow and distribute fresh, healthy vegetables around the world.”
At Naturipe Farms guests will tour strawberry, blackberry and raspberry fields as well as a sustainability-driven packing facility. “The most valuable asset to us is showing rather than explaining how we do things,” said Kyla Oberman, Naturipe’s marketing manager. “To see the harvesting and experience the various processes that happen between the field and the cooler are things that all of our customers should see to truly understand everything involved in berry production.”
For more information, registration and full program of the Foodservice Conference and Expo, please visit the Foodservice website and the Field and Plant Tour website.
