The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) has announced a 62 per cent increase in the number of foodservice operators registering and the first-ever military foodservice presence at the PMA Foodservice Conference, Tours and Exposition, July 23-25 in Monterey, Calif.
Joint PMA/Cornell University research has credited foodservice with 45 per cent of total produce sales in the US in 2004. “Americans spend nearly half of their food dollars at a foodservice facility,” said Bryan Silbermann, President, PMA. “Produce plays a vital role in capturing a greater share of this growing market because it is good tasting, healthful and more convenient than ever before.”
Air Force chief master sergeant William Garner helps open the 2005 Foodservice Conference in the first general session. He is services chief for Air Training Command, headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. His participation represents the first time a member of the military has become involved with this important foodservice event sponsored by PMA since its inception in 1982.
““Restaurant operators and program presenters at the Foodservice Conference are up in calibre and number,” said Gene Harris, senior purchasing manager, Denny’s Corporation. “This reflects both PMA’s industry leadership and the significance produce plays on the consumer’s plate.”
For more information, visit PMA’s web site at www.pma.com/Foodservice2005.
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