Petal Pushers Prime for 'Iron Designer' Competition

The United Fresh Produce Association and the International Floriculture Expo will collaborate for the Iron Designer Competition: Fusion of Produce & Floral. The event will be held on Tuesday, June 9 in Chicago. In a true celebration of color and flavor, this lively competition features leading floral designers in a light-hearted challenge that will test the limits of their skills and creativity.

This year, for the first time, designers will be challenged to incorporate fresh produce into their designs. Guided by the theme, “Fusion of Produce and Floral,” designers will choose from an array of fresh cut floral and fruits and vegetables from a fresh produce pantry to create an innovative display that celebrates color and flavor.

“The inclusion of produce adds a new twist to the competition this year,” said Christine Salmon, event manager for the International Floriculture Expo. “The designers are top-notch, so we know their arrangements will be one-of-a-kind and the epitome of fresh in all that it represents.”

“We’re excited to see how produce commodities will be embraced by the floral designers participating in the Iron Designer Competition,” said United Fresh President & CEO Tom Stenzel. “The melding of colors and textures should yield some dynamic arrangements never before seen.”

The competition will be emceed by world-renowned floral designer Pieter Landman.

The International Floriculture Expo and United Fresh will be co-located with FMI Connect 2015 to bring together food retail, fresh produce and floral leaders who are searching for unique products and looking to enhance relationships with valuable business partners. Registration is available at www.floriexpo.com or www.unitedfreshshow.org.