FPJ published a letter to its readers in last Friday's issue. Due to the continued unfounded allegations being levelled at this organisation by the organisers of the recent failed "World Fruit & Vegetable Show", we would like freshinfo readers to have access to our response.

Despite several attempts to contact the organisers, FPJ has been unable to speak to a single person of any authority within its organisation, and was told this morning that none would be available until November 7.

Dear all,

It has been brought to our attention that the organisers of the World Fruit & Vegetable Show, which took place on Sunday and Monday at the ExCeL Centre in London, have used an alleged lack of co-operation by FPJ as their lead excuse for a poor turnout.

Although we realise that many of our readers are unaware of this, we have thought long and hard about responding and feel that, as the allegation has absolutely no foundation, we should put the record straight.

We are extremely disappointed by what organisers have clearly been telling their exhibitors, which is unjust and without any substance. We have received several complaints directed at FPJ, even though we neither know the organisers, as they operate outside of our immediate sector, nor have any direct dealings with them. To be blamed for their apparent shortcomings is annoying to say the least.

There is absolutely no rivalry between our magazines. Until Sunday, nobody at FPJ had ever seen the organiser’s magazine in fact and, as far as we are aware, it is not widely read in the fruit and veg industry in the UK.

We were accused of “boycotting” the show and refusing to publish adverts or news in the lead-up to the event. We have never received a press release from the organisers, although we did read elsewhere that they were projecting “up to 500 exhibitors” - there were around 100. When FPJ staff asked for information, it was made clear that we were viewed as competition and would only be given information that was deemed “suitable” for us.

As regular readers will recognise, FPJ delivers coverage of industry events around the world throughout the year, even though it is in fact common practice for magazines to ignore the events of their ‘rivals’. We do not follow that practice, so to be accused of this is extremely ironic.

There was an ongoing discussion between the show’s marketing team and our ad manager about advertising in FPJ, but they were extremely unhelpful at all stages and it was in fact their decision to turn down our proposal to collaborate.

We have a friendly rivalry with all of our direct competitors - so this was a new approach for us to deal with. The show’s organisers chose not to pursue a relationship with us and we did not feel it necessary to pursue them.

Kind Regards

Tommy Leighton

Editor, FPJ

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