Reader sweepstakes: Fresh Summit swag bag

Win this!

This week’s giveaway is thanks to the Idaho Potato Commission, who gave me a pass to attend the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit held in Anaheim, CA in late October. I learned a lot about potatoes and citrus, and was overwhelmed at the amount of produce, packaging options, sorting machines, and all the cool new produce-related products that were being exhibited. I’m giving away all the nifty swag, but first let me tell you about the show.

We had been forewarned… the show is ginormous. It’s really too big to see in one day, but that’s the time I had. My fellow bloggers laughed at me, but I had looked up all the companies I was interested in visiting and had a spreadsheet. I struck off on my own, heading to the far left of the floor to the new products area, and slowly wended my way across.

It’s perfectly appropriate that this is a little out of focus… that’s exactly how I felt starting the day in this hall. Where to begin? I followed my list.

One of the very first things I tried were these gluten-free raw kale chips. Soooo good. And yes, this is Brad of Brad’s Raw Foods. Kale guys are cute!

While not all the companies at the show are non-GMO, I was happy to find plenty of organic and non-GMO options, like these seeds from Lake Valley.

It was fun to meet reps from companies whose products I love, like Judi Werling from Botanical Interests. I have bought their organic and non-gmo seeds for my home garden for years.

I usually don’t think about the people behind the brands. This is the inventor of Tofurky, Seth Tibbott. They are working on new gluten-free products. Yay!

One of the biggest takeaways from visiting this show… If the company is “Deardorff Farms” there really are Deardorffs, who are the real farmers. Kinda cool to meet Doug and Scott and learn about their 75-year-old farm.

And then there were the more esoteric meet-ups. Potandon Potatoes had a huge booth with a 50′s diner theme. So of course, who was sitting there but Ralph the Malph from Happy Days? Do I want to take a picture with him? Yes, yes I do.

I literally chased down this guy after seeing his name badge. This is Ross Horn, who is trying to improve vending machines by filling them with fresh fruits and veggies instead of junk food. Go Ross! freshandhealthy.org

A dizzying array of fruits and vegetables were available to taste at every booth

Plus gorgeous things to drink like this herbal iced tea from Herb Thyme

Where else are you going to see this sign? With a long line of people in it?

More details about the Fresh Summit from other bloggers who attended:
Bibberche
California Greek Girl
Family Spice
Jolly Tomato

This week’s question is:
What is the most unusual fruit or vegetable you have ever eaten? Where were you when you had it?

Sweepstakes Official Rules:

By leaving a comment below you are agreeing to the Official Rules, outlined here.

• NO PURCHASE NECESSARY
• Only U.S. residents over the age of 18 are eligible to enter.
• Duration: Friday November 30 through Thursday December 6, 2012 at 5 PM Pacific Standard Time.
• Leave a comment answering the question to enter: What is the most unusual fruit or vegetable you have ever eaten? Where were you when you had it? You can receive up to 4 additional entries by doing the following and leaving one comment for each additional item. Five total entries per person, maximum.

1) If you already follow me: Tweet about the sweepstakes or share it on Facebook or Google +. You can tweet or share up to 4 times on different days for 4 additional entries. (Leave a comment each time.)

For new followers/subscribers only:
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• The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
• Winner will be selected by random number generator within one day of the sweepstakes closing. Winners have 48 hours to respond to their notification email to claim their prize. If they do not respond, another winner will be chosen by random number generator. All prizes will be awarded.
• We are not liable for technical failures or typographical errors, or resolving identity disputes related to the winner.
• We will obtain winners’ name and mailing addresses in the notification email. Once prize(s) have been mailed we will maintain that information for up to one year but will not use it for any other purpose.
• This sweepstakes is sponsored by Idaho Potato Commission, California Avocado Commission, Sunkist, Sun World, River Ranch, El Molino de la Hacienda, and Recipe Renovator, P.O. Box 34054, San Diego, CA 92163-4054. (619) 365-5065.
  VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
• Prize description: Hardcover copy of Potato Country, large stuffed Spuddy Buddy, aluminum water bottle, eyeglass cleaner, citrus juicer and lemon “fountain”, hand sanitizer and breath mints, neoprene laptop carrying bag, spicy chili mix. Retail value of $75.00.

Required FTC disclosure: The pass to attend Fresh Summit was given to me by The Idaho Potato Commission. I covered all other expenses. I was not paid to write this post.

Here is the book if you want to check it out in more detail:

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