Industry heavyweights tackle the big issues at Festival of Fresh 2024

Industry leaders from trade body chairs to major company bosses will discuss the hot topics of the day at Festival of Fresh 2024.

The highly anticipated event takes place on 13 June on the pitch at Evesham United Football Club, in association with Nationwide Produce. 

Tickets cost just £190 and can be purchased here. There are discounts for groups of two or more attendees.

The opening session on Production and Trade brings together a heavyweight lineup of industry leaders to debate the current issues facing the UK fresh produce business. 

Kicking things off, a panel discussion features NFU Horticulture & Potatoes Board chair Martin Emmett, British Growers’ CEO Jack Ward, British Berry Growers’ chair Nick Marston, and Fresh Produce Consortium CEO Nigel Jenney.

Discussion topics are expected to include labour, industry challenges, government support, post-Brexit border arrangements, and the industry’s general election wishlist.

A series of punchy, high-level one-to-one interviews follow, starting with opinionated event host and Nationwide Produce group MD Tim O’Malley. He will outline the latest developments at his fast-growing business and his views on the market.

John Gray, MD of Scottish berry supplier Angus Soft Fruits, will outline some of his company’s category-leading initiatives, as well as detailing his Nuffield paper on growing producers’ share of the value chain.

Closing the session is Dirk Hoffmann, director of product development for UK ports and terminals at logistics giant DP World. Hoffmann will discuss new investments at London Gateway, how ports are coping with new border arrangements, and the campaign to raise the temperature on frozen produce.

Festival of Fresh starts with a welcome address at 9.20am, followed by the first session running from 9.30-11am. 

FPJ editor Fred Searle said: ”We know there are a range of big topics facing suppliers in this general election year, and we look forward to getting stuck into them with our fantastic range of speakers in the opening session.

”There’s no other event that brings together such a comprehensive cast of industry experts, and we urge you to sign up now and secure your place. Join the debate at what will be an unforgettable event.”