Seen and heard at SEPC Southern Innovations 2024 — Part 3

The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn., was the scene for Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Innovations event, held Sept. 12-14.

SEPC Southern Innovations 2024 Southern Roots
Megan Zweig and Dan’l Mackey Almy of DMA Solutions and the Self Smarter podcast lead a program on enneagrams as part of the Southern Roots Women’s Luncheon at SEPC’s Southern Innovations 2024.
(Photo: Christina Herrick)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn., was the scene for Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Innovations 2024, held Sept. 12-14.

SEPC Southern Innovations 2024 Duda
Paul Miller and Susan Kavanagh are shown at Duda Farm Fresh Food’s booth at Southern Innovations.
(Photo: Christina Herrick)

Duda Farm Fresh Foods promoted its 2-inch cut celery dippers.

“Instead of two bites, it’s one bite,” said Susan Kavanagh, regional sales manager.

Kavanagh said the 2-inch cut celery dippers are ideal for party trays, especially as football season is underway and the holidays approach.

SEPC Southern Innovations 2024 Feek
Shown from left are Ben Backus, Jordan Feek and Ed Sheubrooks at the Feek Family Citrus booth at Southern Innovations.
(Photo: Christina Herrick)

Feek Family Citrus, a grower, packer and shipper of juice oranges, grapefruit, navel oranges and tangerines, was looking ahead to the start of the next citrus season in October.

The company recently added a 3,500-square-foot cooler.

“It starts the cold-chain with us and it opens up new opportunities,” said Ben Backus, sales manager.

SEPC Southern Innovations 2024 Ocean Mist
Shown from left are Jesse Lopez and Jeff Hutterer at Ocean Mist Farms’ booth at Southern Innovations.
(Photo: Christina Herrick)

Ocean Mist Farms promoted its 100-year anniversary at its booth. Other topics of interest include its commercial and value-added products.

“We’ve got a regional program in South Carolina and Florida,” said Jesse Lopez, commodity account manager.

SEPC Southern Innovations 2024 Topline
Shown from left are Max Mastronardi, David Pereira and Tony Cappelli at the Topline Farms booth at Southern Innovations.
(Photo: Christina Herrick)

Topline Farms highlighted its conventional roma tomatoes grown in its controlled environment atmosphere greenhouses.

“They have a higher flavor profile and better shelf life,” said Max Mastronardi, senior account manager.

Topline also promoted its heirloom tomatoes under lights.

“Both these items will go through the winter,” said Mastronardi, noting Topline expects surety of supply through the shoulders of the season.

SEPC Southern Innovations 2024 Yerecic
Shown from left are Tara Utrup, Dominic Gibbons and Cody Berg at Yerecic Label’s booth at Southern Innovations.
(Photo: Christina Herrick)

Yerecic Label promoted its APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability clamshell labels.

“We’re excited to support the sustainability initiatives in California,” said Cody Berg, key account manager.

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