EPISODE #05
Trade Show Special Part 1
In the produce industry, there is an annual buzz in the air leading up to October. To those who are unfamiliar with the industry, the month of October is often synonymous with Halloween and the beginning of the fall/winter season. However, in the world of produce, the month takes on a whole new meaning as the industry anticipates the largest trade show of the year, the PMA’s Fresh Summit. This trade show provides an opportunity for all the premier leaders in the industry to come together to feature creative innovations, new product launches and variety of advancements happening behind the scenes. This year, the conference is fully digital and you can visit the Mucci Farms virtual booth:
Early in their careers, Steve Zaccardi and Stephen Cowan never imagined they’d be in the same space as some of the largest companies in the industry. For Steve Zaccardi, his career in produce began at the ripe age of 8 years old, as he grew up working for his family’s produce company. As he got older, he had taken on many different roles within produce, from working on his family farm to his first sales role selling greenhouse materials. By the time he had attended his first PMA show in 2002, he had been well versed in many aspects of the industry.
Stephen Cowan’s path in produce was a bit different, as he got his start in the retail world, working for a major supermarket retail chain at the age of 14. As he grew up and pursued other interests such as art and graphic design, he couldn’t deny his passion for produce. After being a produce manager, he gained experience in many retail focused positions within the fresh produce category.
Reflecting on their careers thus far, both Zaccardi and Cowan note that their past experiences and positions have helped to shape their knowledge of growing and its relationship with retail supermarkets. There has been a shift in priorities as consumers and retailers have increased demand for a greater focus on sustainability across the supply chain.
Throughout the past decade, the produce industry has gone through a wave of change.
Throughout their careers and many PMA shows later, Zaccardi and Cowan reminisce on growth, both within the industry and personally. As Mucci Farms strives to continually be an industry leader, Steve and Steve offer solutions that meet the current needs of consumers and retailers. PMA’s Fresh Summit is an integral component of building and maintaining relationships within the industry and a chance to catch a glimpse of the future direction of Mucci Farms!