2025 Fresh Summit Agenda

4:00pm – 5:15pm Registration Open

5:15pm – 6:30pm Networking Event

Tuesday, June 17th

7:30am – 8:00am Continental Breakfast

8:00am – 8:45am The Future of Fresh: Trends, Challenges & Winning Strategies Fresh departments are vital to independent grocers—but evolving trends and supply pressures create new challenges. Learn what’s shaping the sector and explore strategic approaches to sourcing, merchandising, and shopper engagement.
Speaker: To Be Announced

8:45am – 9:30am Shopper-Centric Assortment: Tailoring Product Selection and Streamlining Replenishment Discover how data and AI can help retailers better understand customer needs, optimize assortments, and improve inventory accuracy.
Speakers: To Be Announced

9:30am – 10:00am Networking Break

10:00am – 10:45am Sustainable Solutions: Reducing Food Waste, Optimizing Packaging, and Advancing Energy Efficiency Learn how grocers can reduce waste, improve packaging, and adopt energy-smart practices to meet sustainability goals and drive savings.
Speakers: Bobby Turner, President, Busch’s Fresh Food Market
Additional Speakers To Be Announced

10:45am – 11:15am Fresh Solutions: Solving for Shrink One Nickel at a Time Learn 20 simple, store-tested tactics to reduce shrink and boost profitability in fresh departments.
Speaker: Nick Lenzi, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Lipari Foods

11:15am – 12:00pm General Session: To Be Announced

12:00pm – 1:00pm Table Topic Luncheon: Engaging Discussions, Networking, and Insights

1:00pm – 2:00pm Driving Sales Through Strategic Merchandising and Marketing Discover how layout, equipment, and in-store promotions work together to increase shopper engagement, drive traffic, and grow sales.
Speakers: Sean Saenz, Vice President, Fresh Foods, Gelson’s Markets
Additional Speakers To Be Announced

1:30pm – 5:30pm Milwaukee Store Tours: Exploring Innovation and Culture in Local Markets Tour three standout Milwaukee grocers—Sendik’s, Woodman’s, and El Rey—to see their unique fresh food offerings, store formats, and customer experiences. Wrap up with a networking event and tasting at Palermo’s Pizza.

7:30am – 8:00am Continental Breakfast

8:00am – 8:30am General Session: To Be Announced

8:30am – 9:30am Elevating Fresh Departments: The Power of Exceptional Service Discover how outstanding service in meat, produce, and prepared foods can drive loyalty and sales. Speakers: Barry Eslick, Director of Meat Operations, Affiliated Foods, Inc. Liz Lenz, Bakery & Deli Category Manager, Certco, Inc. Jim Clapp, Director of Operations, Clarks Market

9:30am – 9:45am Networking Break

9:45am – 10:15am The Positive Impact Government Programs can have on Retailer Success Learn how programs like SNAP Online and Double Up Food Bucks are driving store success. Speakers: To Be Announced

10:15am – 10:45am Creating an Experiential Grocery Store Visit Discover how to enhance engagement through demos, pairings, and creative experiences. Speakers: Mark Kahl, President, Sendik’s Food Markets Richie Morgan, Chairman, North State Grocery Additional Speakers To Be Announced

10:45am – 11:15am Happy Holidays: Innovative Ideas for Holiday Prepared Foods Explore trending prepared food items and merchandising ideas for the holidays. Speakers: To Be Announced

11:15am – 12:00pm General Session: To Be Announced