Latest News From SEPC

SEPC announces Southern Innovations speaker lineup
SEPC announces Southern Innovations speaker lineup

The Millen, Ga.-based Southeast Produce Council has announced its lineup of speakers for the upcoming Southern Innovations event on Sept. 22-24.

SEPC taking applications for James & Theresa Nolan Family Foundation Scholarship
SEPC taking applications for James & Theresa Nolan Family Foundation Scholarship

The Southeast Produce Council is now accepting applications for the James & Theresa Nolan Family Foundation Scholarship, the group said.

SEPC announces creation of Fresh Chefs scholarship 
SEPC announces creation of Fresh Chefs scholarship 

The Millen, Ga.-based  Southeast Produce Council has unveiled its newest scholarship program – SEPC Fresh Chefs.

Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure - Part 3
Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure - Part 3

Check out another slideshow from the 2022 SEPC Southern Exposure show.

Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure, part 2
Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure, part 2

Featuring the theme, "The Marvel of Produce," the Southeast Produce Council recently wrapped its 2022 Southern Exposure tradeshow and conference.

Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure
Seen and heard at SEPC's Southern Exposure

From indoor farming to value-added convenience to sustainability and new product innovation, exhibitors at SEPC's recent Southern Exposure event in Orlando, Fla., talked the hottest produce trends and more.

Southern Exposure speaker highlights generational differences in the workforce
Southern Exposure speaker highlights generational differences in the workforce

ORLANDO, Fla. - Building the next generation of leaders in the produce industry starts with the simple truth that what motivates a baby boomer isn’t the same as what moves Gen X, millennial and Gen Z workers.

Lipman Family Farms highlights Crimson tomato at Southern Exposure
Lipman Family Farms highlights Crimson tomato at Southern Exposure

Immokalee, Fla.-based Lipman Family Farms will highlight its exclusive Crimson tomato and other fresh produce at Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure conference.

Shuman Farms talks giving back at Southern Exposure
Shuman Farms talks giving back at Southern Exposure

Attendees at SEPC’s Southern Exposure will be able to learn more about the organizations’ giving back and cause-marketing efforts. Visit Shuman Farms Booth no. 918 and Healthy Family Project Booth no. 1147.

Zespri kicks off 2022 at SEPC Southern Exposure
Zespri kicks off 2022 at SEPC Southern Exposure

“We are excited for retailers to visit our booth so we can thank them for a great season last year and start planning for 2022,” states Susan Noritake, Zespri’s head of sales for the North American market.

Tim Tebow to speak at future-focused Southern Exposure 2022
Tim Tebow to speak at future-focused Southern Exposure 2022

New York Times bestselling author and former NFL great Tim Tebow will be the keynote speaker at the Southeast Produce Council’s upcoming Southern Exposure: The Marvel of Produce tradeshow and conference. 

SEPC announces SEPC University educational session speaker
SEPC announces SEPC University educational session speaker

The Southeast Produce Council has just announced another incredible SEPC University Educational Session to be held during Southern Exposure in March.

Tim Tebow, Heather Chauvin to speak at SEPC Southern Exposure event
Tim Tebow, Heather Chauvin to speak at SEPC Southern Exposure event

The Southeast Produce Council has just announced a heroic lineup of speakers for upcoming Southern Exposure: The Marvel of Produce set to take place March 3-5, 2022.

SEPC sees surge in registrations for Southern Exposure
SEPC sees surge in registrations for Southern Exposure

After safely and successfully meeting in Savannah, Georgia for Southern Innovations, many SEPC members are keeping the momentum going by already registering for Southern Exposure in Orlando, Florida, March 3 – 5, 2022.

SEPC sends truckload of water to aid in Hurricane Ida disaster relief
SEPC sends truckload of water to aid in Hurricane Ida disaster relief

As part of their SEPC Cares initiative, the Southeast Produce Council is proud to partner with the Society of St. Andrew and Publix Super Markets to deliver drinking water after the devastation left by Hurricane Ida.

SEPC study shows innovation drives category growth
SEPC study shows innovation drives category growth

The more innovative your company is, the more your sales will improve, according to a study revealed at the Southeast Produce Council’s Sept. 9-11 Southern Innovations show in Savannah, Ga.

Southeast Produce Council awards 53 scholarships to these students
Southeast Produce Council awards 53 scholarships to these students

The Southeast Produce Council gave 53 scholarships for a total of $53,000 in 2021.

SEPC in full support of PMA and United Fresh union
SEPC in full support of PMA and United Fresh union

Southeast Produce Council’s Executive Committee convened in early May and expressed full support of the recent merger between PMA and United Fresh, who will consolidate to create a new global trade association.

Good attendance at SEPC's first virtual Produce Inspection Training 
Good attendance at SEPC's first virtual Produce Inspection Training 

The Southeast Produce Council held its first virtual Produce Inspection Training course session within the SEPC Virtual Garden.

First STEP-UPP Virtual Classroom a success within SEPC Virtual Garden
First STEP-UPP Virtual Classroom a success within SEPC Virtual Garden

The Southeast Produce Council held its first STEP-UPP Virtual Classroom within the SEPC Virtual Garden on Wednesday, April 28th.

Packer Insight — SEPC, CPMA, FPAA
Packer Insight — SEPC, CPMA, FPAA

Tom Karst, Amy Sowder and Ashley Nickle discuss their takeaways from recent FPAA, CPMA and SEPC events in the newest episode of Packer Insight.

LUV by Fresh Directions Intl takes prize for best-decorated booth
LUV by Fresh Directions Intl takes prize for best-decorated booth

LUV by Fresh Directions Intl hit the ground running this past week, with its first exhibition of the year at Southern Exposure 2021.

Top takeaways from education day at SEPC’s Southern Exposure
Top takeaways from education day at SEPC’s Southern Exposure

Here’s a recap of opportunities identified and recommendations offered April 7 at the Southeast Produce Council's Southern Exposure.

Packer Insight — Labor legislation, SEPC and online grocery
Packer Insight — Labor legislation, SEPC and online grocery

The Packer editors Tom Karst, Ashley Nickle and Amy Sowder discuss the big topics of the week, from legislation on immigration to a preview of SEPC's Southern Exposure to the latest online grocery data.

SEPC 2021: ‘Making the best of a situation that’s getting better’
SEPC 2021: ‘Making the best of a situation that’s getting better’

The Southeast Produce Council is essentially putting on two Southern Exposure shows at once April 6-8: one in person and one online.

More SEPC speakers to grab your attention
More SEPC speakers to grab your attention

Besides a great location, seeing familiar and new faces and gaining new business, conference attendees want to be entertained and educated.

Amy Sowder
A tale of two SEPC conferences, worlds apart

So. Much. Major. Change.

Forceful questions for industry stars
Forceful questions for industry stars

SEPC’s Episode XVIII conference is one of the first major in-person produce conferences since the COVID-19 pandemic Dark Side spread its evil across the galaxy — or around the world, at least.

Creativity guru, former Disney exec to keynote SEPC conference
Creativity guru, former Disney exec to keynote SEPC conference

Marketing will no longer exist in a decade, said Duncan Wardle in a TED Talk. It will be replaced by the experience economy.

Power of Produce 2021 To debut at SEPC’s Southern Exposure
Power of Produce 2021 To debut at SEPC’s Southern Exposure

The Millen, Ga.-based Southeast Produce Council said it will again work with FMI and unveil the 2021 edition of the produce industry’s premier research, the Power of Produce, at Southern Exposure on April 7. 

RPE corporate Chef Chris McAdams shows how to make a potato salad during a session on Southeast Produce Council's Virtual Garden platform.
SEPC offers cooking show, other sessions in Virtual Garden

The Southeast Produce Council’s newest platform, the Virtual Garden, hosted a live cooking program where industry members could attend and chat.

In a galaxy not far, far away, SEPC reschedules Southern Exposure 2021

The Southeast Produce Council, Millen, Ga., has new dates for its annual show in 2021, with a Star Wars theme — Southern Exposure: The Rise of Produce.

Kristin Yerecic honored by SEPC with Next Generation Award

Kristin Yerecic, marketing director at Yerecic Label, New Kensington, Pa., is the Southeast Produce Council’s 2020 Next Generation Award recipient.

SEPC: No 2020 Southern Innovations

The Southeast Produce Council, Millen, Ga., has cancelled Southern Innovations because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moxxy Marketing's website design for the Southeast Produce Council has been awarded.
Moxxy Marketing wins design award for SEPC website

Graphic Design USA honored Moxxy Marketing with the 2020 American Web Design Award for its Southeast Produce Council website redesign.

SEPC announces 2020 scholars

The Southeast Produce Council has awarded almost $150,000 through the SEPC Member Scholarship program this year.

Video: What you missed at the 2020 SEPC Southern Exposure expo
Video: What you missed at the 2020 SEPC Southern Exposure expo

TAMPA, Fla. — I hope the 2,700 people who flooded the Tampa Convention Center for the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure expo absorbed some vitamin D.

Soo Choi of Rainier Fruit Co., Selah, Wash., attempts to balance plates on sticks as part of the Mardi Gras-themed festivities at Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure trade show Feb. 27-29 in Tampa, Fla.
Southern Exposure makes a difference with fun, giving, good business

TAMPA, Fla. — Making connections, deepening relationships and learning the latest were all activities on parade at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure 2020 trade show. 

Author Joe Waters spoke about partnerships between for-profit companies and non-profit causes at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure conference on Feb. 28.
Cause marketing is win-win for companies and charities, speaker says

TAMPA, Fla. — Corporate charitable giving can be a win-win for both produce marketers and the causes they support, one consultant believes.

“The Plight of Plastics” at a Feb. 28 SEPC University session at Southern Exposure 2020 drew a standing room only crowd.
Industry must work together to reduce plastic, panel says

TAMPA, Fla. — Keep the customer in tight focus and work with other produce suppliers to reduce plastic and increase the recycling of packaging. 

SEPC speaker: Women can cultivate connection, self-promote, take risks
SEPC speaker: Women can cultivate connection, self-promote, take risks

TAMPA, Fla. — “Who here is being asked to do more with less?” Colette Carlson, founder of professional training firm Speak Your Truth, asked of more than 250 women at the Southern Roots Luncheon.

Southeast Produce Council unveils new logo, website
Southeast Produce Council unveils new logo, website

The Southeast Produce Council redesigned its logo and website on its 20th anniversary, revealing the details just before the organization’s Southern Exposure 2020 event.

New Product Review: Chopped Collection from Eat Smart
New Product Review: Chopped Collection from Eat Smart

Santa Maria, Calif.-based Curation Foods will be featuring its Chopped Collection salad lineup at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure.

New Product Review: RedRoyals from Pure Flavor
New Product Review: RedRoyals from Pure Flavor

Leamington, Ontario-based Pure Hothouse Foods will be featuring its new RedRoyals cherry tomatoes-on-the-vine at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure.

New Product Review: Rainbow Carrot Chips from Cal-Organic
New Product Review: Rainbow Carrot Chips from Cal-Organic

Cal-Organic Farms, a division of Bakersfield, Calif.-based Grimmway Farms, will be introducing organic rainbow carrot chips for retail at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure.

New Product Review: White grapefruit from IMG Citrus
New Product Review: White grapefruit from IMG Citrus

Vero Beach, Fla.-based IMG Citrus plans to showcase its new white grapefruit at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure.

New Product Review — Long-Lasting Salad from FresH2O
New Product Review — Long-Lasting Salad from FresH2O

Stevensburg, Va.-based FresH2O Growers will be showcasing a new roots-on salad blend at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure.

Packer Insight — Watermelon convention, NGA Show, Southern Exposure
Packer Insight — Watermelon convention, NGA Show, Southern Exposure

The Packer's editor Tom Karst and Produce Retailer's editor Ashley Nickle discuss industry events happening this week, from the National Watermelon Association's annual convention to the NGA Show to Southern Exposure.

Well-Pict’s Florida strawberry crop hitting peak

The Florida strawberry crop for Well-Pict Berries, Watsonville, Calif., will be in peak harvest in February.

SEPC issues Golden Rule Challenge for Southern Exposure

The Southeast Produce Council is issuing what it calls the Golden Rule Challenge for exhibitors at Southern Exposure.