• FOOD INDUSTRY • Continuation of page 80 Program Highlights The 30th edition of the Americas Food & Beverage trade show featured 51 sessions over three full days of programming, divi- ded among the conference program, the main stage (Center Stage), and the beve- rage stage (Beverage Stage), in addition to the trade show’s opening ceremonies. Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, the USDA’s Assistant Secretary for Com- merce and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, | Luke Lindberg, and Turkey’s Ambassador to the United States, Sedat Önal, were | 6 | 7 | | among the dignitaries who visited the ex- | | hibition hall during the event. | | This year’s edition also featured the Uni- | | ted States as the Country of Honor throu- | | gh NASDA’s “A Taste of the States” pavi- | | lion, which showcased 165 U.S. food and | | beverage companies to commemorate the | | nation’s 250th anniversary. | | In an exclusive interview with Abasto, | | Luke J. Lindberg shared his perspective | | on the 30th edition of the Americas Food | | & Beverage Show and analyzed the role of | 8 | U.S. agriculture in international markets. “I’m always impressed by the innova- tion in U.S. agriculture—these small and medium-sized businesses that invent new ways to use our high-quality products in ways that are truly culturally relevant to many markets around the world,” Lind- berg shared. • Continues on page 84 10 9 IN THE HALLWAYS 6. José Alvarado, Abraham Anaya, and Davor Her- vas from Tadin Herb and Tea. 7. César Mancipe from Comercial Mexicana. 8. Kevin Shin and the team from Pocas. 9. Luis Alfonso García and Guillermo Corona from Salsa Huichol. 10. Christopher Mahoney from National Retail So- lutions. 11 11. Pelayo Soneira from Avanti. 12 12. Rocío Fonseca from El Gran Chaparral. 82 • November / December 2026• abasto.com