TAMPA, FLA. — The Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure 2024 trade show and conference kicked off March 8 with a morning of education sessions and an opening gala highlighting the event’s theme of “Unseen Heroes.”
The Reidsville, Ga.-based Shuman Farms team came decked out in camouflage in fitting with this year’s theme for Southern Exposure.
Entertainment during the gala included aerial acrobatics, a USO-themed singer and dancers and a live band.
SEPC’s alligator mascots, decked out in camo, posed for photos with gala attendees.
At the Mastronardi Produce booth, the company touted its flavor bomb tomatoes including its Umami Bomb tomatoes.
At C&B Farms’ booth, Melanie Palma and Emily Bartoski talked about the company’s conventional and organic produce. Bartosik said “we have it all” for a grocer’s wet wall, including celery, dry vegetables, bok choy and napa cabbage.
Sarah Consalo of Consalo Family Farms said the highlight of their family’s booth was the company’s Little Smoochies line of citrus, including mandarins, lemons, limes and oranges. The Consalos also talked about vegetables and herb availability. “We’re trying to get our name out there as a vertically integrated company,” Sarah Consalo told The Packer.
Sloan Lott of Bland Farms said the company’s booth highlighted its Vidalia onion offerings as the company gears up for the season’s start next month.
