AFRE Undergraduates Attend International Fresh Produce Association Conference
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EmailAFRE Undergrads travel to California for the Global Produce and Floral Show, hosted by the International Fresh Produce Association to explore the latest technology and new product trends.
The Global Produce and Floral Show, hosted by the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), is an annual event exploring the latest technology and new product trends. This conference is where people and businesses from the entire supply chain gather to connect, learn and stay ahead. Earlier this month, five students from the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics (AFRE) traveled to Anaheim, California for the 2025 event.
Isaac Rej, a junior studying Environmental Economics and Management (EEM), shared “Before this trip, I wasn’t fully sure where I wanted to take my career; this experience gave me a sense of direction I hadn’t realized before. I think that for many students, it can be easy to move through classes without seeing how the work connects to real-world applications. Visiting the IFPA show showed me firsthand how experts apply what I’ve learned every day, and that was a truly inspiring experience.”
Over the course of three days, the AFRE students were joined by more than 20,000 attendees representing the entire supply chain. The size of the event and breadth of companies and participants was eye opening.
Lacey Hadley, a senior in Food Industry Management (FIM), shared, “The IFPA conference exposed me to a large community focusing on fresh produce, which I didn’t know existed. This was valuable to my education within AFRE preparing me for my life after college. It helped develop my communication skills, professionalism, and provided me with great networking opportunities.”
“One major takeaway from the IFPA conference is the size of the fresh produce industry, with the incredible number of corporations, partnerships and global trade that take place,” Grant Rhoads, a senior majoring in FIM also added. “This trip provided perspective for the sheer scale of the industry, the people involved and as I return to class, I am filled with more excitement and drive to learn and prepare for my career.”
The conference offered many sessions, as well as networking events that the students were able to participate in. These events allowed the students to meet potential future employers and gather information on internship opportunities.
Perla Alvarez, a senior in FIM, shared, “As someone new to the industry, this trip was incredibly helpful because I met professionals who shared advice and encouraged me to reach out if I ever need help. These connections gave me a clearer understanding of career opportunities and how to navigate the industry moving forward.”
The Global Produce and Floral Show has more than 1,000 exhibitors, 5,000 decision-makers with buying power, and people representing 70 countries and all U.S. states. The conference is filled with innovative new technology and conversations that the students feel enhances their educational experience.
“I truly believe this is where academic concepts come to life,” Ruben Mireles, a junior in Agribusiness Management, shared. “Where we get to connect the dots between every step of the food supply chain and observe how businesses are innovating and adapting to current trends.”
He continued, “As a student, I believe these opportunities empower us to be creative and innovative both in and out of the classroom, while also helping us understand how businesses interact with one another, preparing us for our future careers.”
The IFPA is the largest and most diverse international association which serves supply chain of fresh produce and floral. As an organization, it works to bring the produce industry together to solve pressing problems. Next year’s conference will be October 15-17, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. To learn more about future IFPA conferences or the association itself, click here.
