Elevated Foods and IFPA spotlight outcomes of regenerative agriculture

ORLANDO, Fla. (October 29, 2026) – Elevated Foods and the International Fresh Produce Association BB #:378962 (IFPA) convened fresh produce industry professionals at the 2026 Global Produce & Floral Show for the second annual Regenerative Agriculture Tour, highlighting how small- to mid-sized family growers and companies across the supply chain are applying regenerative agriculture principles to practical strategies and measurable outcomes.

Held on October 16 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, the guided show floor experience connected nearly 90 growers, retailers, suppliers, foodservice buyers, and other industry professionals with companies advancing regenerative agriculture through soil health initiatives, resource management, grower engagement, and sustainability measurement.

Led by IFPA and by Elevated Foods founder and CEO Steve Brazeel and vice president of sales Paul Kneeland, the curated tour featured nine exhibiting organizations representing diverse approaches to agricultural sustainability, certification, supply chain collaboration, and regenerative practices. Participating organizations included Bee Better Certified, CMI Orchards, Control Union, Equifruit, GLOBALG.A.P. North America, Naturipe Farms, Oasis Date, The Little Potato Company, and Washington Fruit Growers.

Moving From Practices to Measurable Outcomes As interest in regenerative agriculture continues to grow, the tour emphasized how growers, buyers, and consumers can better understand the benefits of soil health practices, including measurable improvements in nutrient density, flavor, and food quality.

Through conversations with participating exhibitors, attendees explored approaches to improving soil health, managing water resources, supporting plant health, and measuring agricultural and environmental performance.

The experience also underscored the importance of aligning on-farm practices with market opportunities, helping buyers and consumers better understand the people, investments and long-term commitments behind the food they source.

“To support small- to mid-sized family growers and their efforts to advance regenerative agriculture, we need to build widespread understanding of what those practices accomplish, particularly among retailers and their shoppers,” said Paul Kneeland, vice president of sales at Elevated Foods. “By bringing growers, buyers, and industry partners into the same conversation, we’re helping make the connection between what happens on the farm and how growing practices enhance food quality, nutrient density, and value.”

Building Connections Across the Fresh Produce Industry
The 2026 tour brought together organizations representing multiple areas of the fresh produce supply chain.

Five of the nine exhibitors were new to the experience this year, expanding the range of perspectives and approaches featured during the event:

• Bee Better Certified, the gold-standard third-party verified eco-label that certifies
  pollinator conservation and Integrated Pest Management on farms.
• CMI Orchards BB #:134183, one of Washington state’s leading grower-owned companies,
  specializing in the production, packing, and global shipping of premium apples,
  pears, cherries, and organic tree fruit.
• Control Union, experts in certifications, inspections, laboratory services, pest
  control and risk management.
• Equifruit BB #:329901, a Fairtrade International-certified banana company.
• GLOBALG.A.P. North America, a smart farm assurance solutions company
  advancing safer and more responsible farming practices.
• Naturipe Farms BB #:165382, a grower-owned producer of wholesome, good-for-you fresh
  berries, nurtured by working family farmers.
• Oasis Date BB #:421520, North America’s largest grower and processor of Medjool dates.
• The Little Potato Company BB #:165367, a family-owned business specializing in breeding,
  growing, packaging, and marketing proprietary little creamer potatoes.
• Washington Fruit Growers BB #:377090, a family-owned, vertically integrated grower, packer, and shipper of tree fruit.

For Elevated Foods, Brazeel and Kneeland discussed the organization’s broader mission to connect small and mid-sized growers with markets that value how and where food is produced. Founded in 2022, Elevated Foods applies its industry expertise to help small and mid-sized family growers reach new markets while giving retailers a trusted connection to the people, places, and practices behind their food. Its launch initiatives are funded by a USDA “Advancing Markets for Producers” grant program.

The tour reflects continued collaboration between Elevated Foods and IFPA to bring greater visibility to regenerative agriculture and encourage practical conversations about its role in the future of fresh produce.

About Elevated Foods
Elevated Foods connects small and mid-sized growers with retailers and markets that value where their food comes from and how it is grown. Through agricultural expertise, market relationships and grower support, Elevated Foods helps farms access new opportunities while giving retailers trusted connections to the people, places and practices behind their food. The company works alongside growers on crop planning, logistics, soil health and regenerative agriculture practices while helping measure outcomes and preserve the individual stories that make every farm unique. The result is a more transparent connection from farm to market designed to support economically viable farms, differentiated retail programs and greater consumer understanding of where food comes from. For more information, visit www.elevatedfoods.com.

About the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA)
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is the largest and most diverse international association serving the entire fresh produce and floral supply chain. IFPA brings the industry together through advocacy, connections and resources that support the prosperity of its members and the future of fresh produce and floral. Learn more at www.freshproduce.com.