INSPIRATION STAGE

With an eye on current trends and future developments, our Inspiration Stage speakers assess the state of play in the UK fresh produce industry and discuss what it takes to thrive at a tricky time for the sector. Through a combination of panels, interviews and talks, we get to grips with today’s challenges, and explore opportunities to succeed with innovative marketing, agile production, and sustainable processes.

9.35-11.10: Production & trade

Industry leaders, major suppliers, and trade bodies discuss the hot topics in production and trade – from inflation to Brexit, labour, government support, and R&D. Expect lively debate and frank discussions.

9.35-9.45: Welcome to Festival of Fresh
Fred Searle (Fresh Produce Journal)
Chris White (Fruitnet Media International)

9.45-10.10: Industry leaders
Martin Emmett (NFU)
Jack Ward (British Growers)
Nick Marston (British Berry Growers)
James Simpson (British Apples & Pears)

10.10-10.30: Investing in innovation
Mark Player (AMFRESH)
Sam Franklin (AMFRESH)

10.30-10.50: Independent production
Peter Judge (S&A Produce)

10.50-11.10: Life after AHDB
Jack Ward (Horticulture Crop Protection)
Mark Taylor (GB Potatoes)

11.10-11.30: Coffee break

11.30-13.00: Retail, foodservice & marketing

Leading figures in supermarket buying, retail analysis, foodservice supply, and marketing come together for a fascinating session on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in fruit and vegetable supply. Expect insights, innovation, and inspiration.

11.30-11.45: Retail market overview
Beatrice Lugli (Kantar)

11.45-12.10: Supermarket perspective
Tom Mackintosh (Tesco)

12.10-12.25: Retail trends
Susan Barratt (IGD)

12.25-12.45: Foodservice in focus
Andy Pembroke (Fresh Direct)

12.45-13.00: Winning in the consumer era
Carolina Palomo (AMFRESH)

13.00-14.00: Lunch

14.00-15.10: Sustainability

Key players in environmental agriculture, ethical labour, food rescue, and organic production discuss new ways to ensure the sustainability and future success of the UK fresh produce sector. Expect innovation, progressive thinking, and big questions.

14.00-14.20: Carbon neutrality
Martin Evans (Freshgro)

14.20-14.35: Ethical labour
David Camp (Association of Labour Providers)

14.35-14.55: Rescuing surplus
Sarah Calcutt (City Harvest)
Ali Gourley (FareShare)
Mark Game (The Bread and Butter Thing)

14.55-15.10: Opportunities in organics
Alex Cullen (Soil Association)

15.10-15.30: Festival of Fresh Awards

We announce the winners of the inaugural Festival of Fresh Awards, as selected by Fresh Produce Journal’s editorial team for outstanding achievement in the UK fruit and vegetable industry.

Awards will be presented in the following five categories:

Retail Supplier of the Year
Non-Retail Supplier of the Year
Marketing Magic Award
Sustainable Champion Award
Editor’s Award

INNOVATION TENT

Join us in the Innovation Tent for a fascinating line-up of presentations on the innovative technologies shaping the future of the industry. Expect eye-opening innovations in everything from robotics to ground-breaking software to ripening technology.

11.10-11.25: Workforce software
Victoria Jones (QAD Redzone)

13.00-13.15: Softripe ripening tech
Neal Collishaw (Horizon Agriculture)

13.15-13.30: Measuring emissions
Lizzy Parker (Farm Carbon Toolkit)

13.30-13.45: Vertical farming
John Stapleton (Fischer Farms)

13.45-14.00: Retail data
Jack Ward and Clare Otridge (British Growers Insights)

14.20-14.35 AI forecasting
Michele Dall’Olio (Fresh4Cast)

14.35-14.50: Packhouse automation
Jake Norman (Olympus Automation Limited)