National Association of Produce Market Managers

Founded in 1947, NAPMM strives to help market managers improve facilities and increase services while encouraging cooperation and exchange of ideas between members and partners.

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2018 Annual Conference Program Finalized!

We are pleased to announce that we all details are in place for the NAPMM 2018 Annual Conference. The  72nd Annual Conference will be held April 30-May 3 in Miami, Florida and registration is now open! For the full conference agenda, please download the 2018 Annual Conference Brochure. There will be plenty of opportunities to learn, network, and engage with market professional peers. 

The conference agenda will also include site visits to local markets, farms and processing plants, as well as a trip to see state-of-the-art packing and shipping facilities while in operation. A plethora of networking opportunities with industry peers will take place throughout the conference allowing for the opportunity to share experiences, and to discuss issues, challenges, and best practices.

All educational sessions will be held at the host hotel, the Miami Hilton Downtown.

A pre-conference tour option will take place on Sunday, April 29 and has limited availability to twenty (20) participants. Join us as we spend the day exploring the upper keys. We’ll start by visiting local artisan shops as we head to beautiful Islamorada, six keys known for their coral reefs. Lunch includes a Key’s tradition, a stop at Robbie’s, home of the world-famous tarpon feeding! Not only can you enjoy a delicious lunch and signature cocktails, you can hand feed massive tarpon followed by a stroll through open air shops featuring handcrafted souvenirs. The day continues with a trip to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, an undersea park where we will snorkeling over some of the most unique coral reefs and marine life in the US (equipment will be provided). Cap off the day with happy hour in Key Largo before returning to the hotel. This optional tour includes transportation, guide, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and park entry. 

This is a conference you don't want to miss, so REGISTER TODAY!

Please complete and return printed registration form, along with payment to: NAPMM, PO BOX 1617, Garner, NC 27529.

Special thanks to the Florida Department of Agriculture for hosting our 72nd Annual Conference in sunny Miami, Florida!

Conference Plenary Session: Connecting Differences for Success and Vitality

Considering the growing diversity of customers, suppliers, and vendors involved in wholesale, retail, and public markets, our ability to navigate differences effectively is essential for sustainable results. Tatyana Fertelmeyster, MA, LCPC of Connecting Differences LLC, will lead conference attendees in a plenary session on Wednesday, May 2 at 8:30am, in an exploration of cultural differences that need to be accounted for in your success in working with the human side of food diversity.

In this interactive workshop you will challenge your own assumptions, and at the end, take away new ideas that are ready to be applied and make a difference in how you engage with people on a professional workplace level. You will be provided with easy-to-use tools that will help you growing intercultural awareness and competence within your organization. Each participant will leave with their own action plan.

Tatyana Fertelmeyster, Founder and Principal of Connecting Differences, LLC is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in Intercultural Communication, Diversity and Inclusion, Global Agility Development, and Facilitation for Multicultural Groups. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.

Reserve Your Room Now for the NAPMM Annual Conference

NAPMM, United Fresh and USDA Host First Wholesale Market Meeting

NAPMM partnered with United Fresh and the United States Department of Agriculture to convene the first Wholesale Market Stakeholder Meeting at the Sidney R Yates Federal Building in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, January 25. Over 40 wholesale stakeholders, USDA, HUD and DOT staff,  and other interested parties spent an entire day discussing the role of wholesale markets in the current food system and the role they might play in the future. Representatives from a number of USDA Branches and other Federal Departments, outlined current programs and services relevant to wholesale markets and canvased market stakeholders on their needs.

A lot of the conversation focused on the need for support of critical infrastructure improvements at aging markets, clarifications related to the definition of a food hub, and the differentiation and interdependence of this model as it relates to existing wholesale and terminal markets. The discussions outlined a number of areas to focus future actions and policy decisions as well as helped all parties to better understand the importance and increasingly relevant role wholesale markets play in our evolving food system.

Many thanks to the entire organizing committee and USDA staff involved and especially, Lindsey Day Farnsworth PHD, University of Wisconsin, for her help with the overall coordination of the meeting as well as Miriam M Wolk, Vice President, Member Services, United Fresh, Ron Batcher, Architect, USDA, AMS, and Rose Harrell and Michael Janis from NAPMM for taking the lead on making this day happen.

Read the article in The Packer written by Tom Karst: Wholesale market meeting rekindles partnership with USDA

Follow this link to access the program and presentations