PALM DESERT, Calif. — It was all about season starts and summer produce availability for attendees at this year's West Coast Produce Expo at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa. Exhibitors shared what's hot in summer produce and what keeps them coming back to the expo year after year.
Another highlight of the event was an impassioned keynote led by Kevin Brown, who used personal anecdotes to highlight how heroes and champions stand out at work and in life.
It was all about figs for visitors to the Catania Worldwide West Coast Expo booth. William Cappelluti, sales representative for Catania, said organic and conventional black mission figs would begin shipping the first week of June.
Organic conadria figs would begin shipping a week later, he said and will run through the end of June.
Then, the second crop of conventional and organic brown turkey figs will begin, followed by organic and conventional black mission figs, sierra figs and tiger figs, which will run through November.
Cappelluti said he enjoys coming to the West Coast Produce Expo .
“It's a more personal show,” he said. “The people you meet you can have more conversations and more of a personal connection to.”
The team at Grower Alliance showed off the produce distributor's mini sweet pepper bags, hot pepper bags and other value-added items. The company also ships Roma tomatoes, organic and conventional European cucumbers.
Jorge Quintero Jr., managing member and founder of the Grower Alliance, said that as the Nogales and northern Sonora season wrapped up, production shifts to San Diego and Baja for cucumbers and Roma tomatoes.
The Grower Alliance team also served up some delicious drinks to West Coast Produce Expo attendees.
“We had a lot of traffic and a lot of customers to see,” Quintero Jr. said. “We love West Coast Produce Expo; it's always awesome for us.”
Fresh Farms is full throttle into its table grape and tomato seasons from Sonora. Table grapes include Cotton Candy and Sweet Celebration.
Daniel Heguertty, tomato sales division coordinator, said retailers can expect good volume for the month of June and July.
The company also highlighted its frozen Cotton Candy grapes at the West Coast Produce Expo.
“People are really excited about this new item,” Heguertty said.
Arctic Apples showed off its new kid-friendly packaging for its 2-ounce Arctic granny and Arctic golden packs. Andrew Moore, marketing manager with Arctic Apples, said these packs are designed for schools and foodservice.
The new packaging features bright colors and its mascot, Artie, which helps share the science behind Arctic apples and its positive impact on reducing food waste.
The non-browning apples have a 28-day shelf life and come in 2-ounce, 20-ounce and 40-ounce packs.
Index Fresh's California Crema season was among the topics that visitors to the worldwide marketer of avocados' booth inquired about.
John Dmytriw, vice president of business development, said there are about three or four weeks left of packing this year.
“It's been a great season,” he said, noting strong retail and foodservice support.
Dmytriw said he's also seen a growing demand for the specialty brand of Gem avocados. California Crema has strong digital marketing and bins for retailers. But he said California Crema bags have been very popular for Index Fresh customers.
“It's a big hit,” he said.
California avocado season is well underway, with strong inventory remaining for June and July. Dmytriw said there's been a shift in the size curve with 70s available. He said this is a good opportunity for retailers to jump on a new trend for the next few weeks.
“The end of summer is the perfect time to promote California avocados,” he said.
More from West Coast Produce Expo 2025:
- Seen and Heard at West Coast Produce Expo 2025: Expanded Offerings, New Introductions
- Seen and heard at West Coast Produce Expo 2025: From cherries to mushrooms and more
- Seen and heard at West Coast Produce Expo 2025
- Seen and heard at West Coast Produce Expo 2025: New exhibitors, new products
- West Coast Produce Expo's tour spotlights fresh production
- West Coast Produce Expo 2025 celebrates Women in Produce
- WCPE donates 19,000 pounds of produce to communities in need