Food Marketing Institite (FMI) and United Fresh Produce Association (United Fresh) announced an agreement to co-locate trade events for the next three years, beginning with United Fresh 2014 and FMI Connect: the Global Food Retail Experience from June 10-14, 2014 in Chicago, IL. According to Leslie G. Sarasin, FMI's president and CEO, "forward-looking research affirms what we are seeting at store level--food retail customers are seeking to increase their knowledge and use of fresh products, making the produce sections critical points of differentiation among food retailers."

Just over 40 percent of consumer respondents to FMI's 2013 US Grocery Retail Trends survey ranked better quality and variety of fresh foods, including produce, as the third-most influential factor behind price and selection for choosing a supermarket.