It's time to say, "Aloha, Orlando, Fla.!" The Southeast Produce Council's Southern Exposure event returns March 6-8 with this year's theme of “Produce Means Family.”
“Just as ohana means family in Hawaiian culture, we believe that our produce community is a family who supports and uplifts one another. This year, we are also celebrating the significance of family meals and the importance of eating together,” the organization said on its event website.
Attendees can expect Hawaiian-themed events with island-inspired entertainment and, of course, produce-packed eats.
Since ohana is part of this year's event theme, the organization said it will tout the benefits of family meals to strengthen bonds and improve well-being.
Education sessions planned include “Changing Lives Through The Power of Food,” which will focus on The Chef Jeff Project, a culinary, hospitality and life-skills training program for disenfranchised youth, formerly incarcerated individuals and those seeking a second chance. The Chef Jeff Project offers master classes, life coaching, in-person and virtual culinary and hospitality training, and hands-on foodservice experience to help those in the program find and retain employment.
Also, The Food Industry Association will unveil its 2025 "Power of Produce" report and will feature a panel of retailers to dissect the data.
Returning highlights also include SEPC's Tom Page Golf Classic on March 6, the Southern Roots Women's Luncheon on March 7, Good Seeds MENtor Program on March 7, STARS Fresh Futures event on March 7 and the Al Finch Memorial Prayer Breakfast on March 9.
Southern Exposure will be held at the Orlando World Center Marriott.
Produce on display
Onions 52
Onions 52 will display its Smileys, a naturally tearless and sweet onion, at booth No. 805. The company will also highlight its premium yellow, red, white, sweet and certified organic onions, as well as discuss its transportation options with its East Coast expansion and new packing facility in Ohio.
“We look forward to SEPC every year and are excited to connect with peers and customers to highlight the versatility and superior quality of our onion offerings,” Shawn Hartley, president for Onions 52, said in a news release. “We're especially excited to showcase Smileys onions again. As a domestically grown sweet onion, Smileys is making waves in the sweet onion category. SEPC is the perfect opportunity for buyers to experience how this game-changing onion can drive incremental sales from fall to early spring.”
Continental Fresh
Continental Fresh LLC said it will spotlight its Water For All branded Mexican mango program at Southern Exposure at booth No. 402, which will reinforce its commitment to making a meaningful impact beyond just business.
A key highlight of the show will be Continental Fresh's “PLU with Purpose” campaign, emphasizing how each Water For All-branded box of mangoes directly supports clean water initiatives. A portion of the proceeds from these specialty-labeled mangoes goes to BLUE Missions, a nonprofit dedicated to providing clean water and sanitation solutions to families in Latin America, the company said.
“Southern Exposure is always a standout event for us, and being in Florida makes it even more special,” Robert Cabili, vice president of sales and business development for Continental Fresh, said in a news release. “We look forward to engaging with industry partners and sharing how our Water For All program is driving real change for communities in need.”
Side Delights
Side Delights said it will feature its Amazables line of microwavable crispy-skinned baked potatoes at the Southeast Produce Council's Southern Exposure. Visitors to the Side Delights booth, No. 705, will see new in-store retail merchandising and marketing assets for Amazables, including branded floor merchandisers, high-graphic display-ready cartons and in-store POS support.
The company said it will also promote its BioFlex 100% recyclable packaging line, which it said will convert to soil and gas in a landfill and can be comingled with existing plastic recycling.
“Side Delights is the first and the only produce supplier in the U.S. using the material in the BioFlex packaging, and Amazables is the first-of-its-kind oven-crisp style microwaveable baked potato,” Kathleen Triou, president and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network, said in a news release. “We are proud to showcase these two innovative products at SEPC Southern Exposure and we are looking forward to submitting Amazables in the Bright Ideas Fresh Arrivals showcase to add to the awards the product line has amassed.”
J&C Tropicals
In keeping with the Hawaiian theme, Doral, Fla.-based J&C Tropicals said it will showcase its new NamZen coconuts at its booth, No. 803, and at the SEPC Southern Exposure Bright Ideas showcase.
“It's a new product from Thailand that we're sourcing. It comes with its own straw for easy drinking so it's very convenient and eco-friendly,” said Denise Gomez, marketing manager for J&C Tropicals.
Equifruit
Equifruit, a Montreal-based importer of Fairtrade International-certified bananas and a first-time Southern Exposure exhibitor, invites attendees to booth No. 529 for a free latte. But this isn't just about free caffeine, says Equifruit, which hopes to serve up a “reality check with every cup.”
It only costs $5 more per year to switch to Equifruit Fairtrade International-certified bananas, about the same as a single latte, the company said.
Equifruit said it will use this activation to drive home a simple, powerful message: If there's room in the budget for a fancy coffee, there's room to switch your banana purchase to Equifruit Fairtrade.
“Coffee and conversation go hand in hand, and we think it's about time the produce industry has a real conversation about banana prices,” said Kim Chackal, vice president of sales and marketing at Equifruit. “So, grab a Fairtrade latte on us and let's talk about why switching to Equifruit is one of the most impactful choices a retailer can make.”
Equifruit said that while the extra $5 per year may seem small, for banana farmers, it's transformational.
By choosing Equifruit bananas, retailers and consumers help ensure that farmers receive a guaranteed minimum price and the Fairtrade premium, additional funds that go directly back into their communities, the company said. This means better wages, safer working conditions, access to education, and investments in local infrastructure.
Nash Produce
Nash Produce said it plans to use the event to build relationships and maintain its connections while in Orlando, as well as discuss sweetpotato inventory.
Visitors to the company's booth, No. 300, will learn how it plans to work to minimize the impact of a smaller sweetpotato crop in North Carolina in 2024 due to weather. Robin Narron, marketing director and sales support for Nash Produce, estimates the crop being down 30% to 35% in the state.
“Unquestionably, this will have an impact on sweetpotato pricing,” she said. “We want our customers to know that Nash Produce is doing all it can to minimize the impact on their supply of sweet potatoes.”
Narron said SEPC's Southern Exposure is an important event for the company.
“Relationship building is an important part of the business, and it is something we take pride in here at Nash Produce,” she said. “Being an exhibitor will not only allow us to maintain current relationships but also cultivate new ones.”
Narron said Nash Produce will also highlight the quality of its sweetpotatoes thanks to its storage facilities, which allows the company to provide high-quality sweetpotatoes year-round.
“Being able to control temperature and humidity in these facilities is a major reason we can provide such high-quality sweet potatoes,” she said.
Giorgio Fresh Co.
Blandon, Pa.-based Giorgio Fresh Co. said it plans to bring the heat to this year's SEPC Southern Exposure with its new Hot N' Spicy stuffed mushroom line. The company said it will showcase its Jalapeño, Nashville Hot and Sriracha stuffed mushroom flavors alongside its new Stuffed Jalapeños filled with cheese and imitation bacon at its booth, No. 829.
Giorgio said it designed the Hot N' Spicy Line for consumers seeking flavor in an easy-to-prepare solution for appetizers, snacks or meal accompaniments.
The company said its presence at SEPC will showcase its commitment to innovation in the fresh mushroom and value-add category.
“At Giorgio, we're committed to pushing the boundaries of flavor innovation while maintaining the highest quality standards,” Bryan Shelton, vice president of sales and marketing for Giorgio, said in a news release. “Consumers are looking for convenient, boldly flavored options, and our new Hot N' Spicy Line delivers on both taste and convenience. We're excited to introduce these products to retailers and foodservice operations looking to spice up their fresh offerings.”
Mission Produce
Mission Produce Inc. says it will showcase the advantage of its vertical integration at the SEPC event. With more than 4,000 hectares of avocados and mangoes combined in Peru, the company says it is leveraging its owned supply to meet spring demand and support customers' category growth.
“Vertical integration provides Mission Produce, and our customers, a key advantage in supply reliability and quality control,” Brooke Becker, senior vice president of sales for Mission Produce, said in a news release. “With Peruvian mango season in full swing and Peruvian avocado season just around the corner, our farms are bustling with activity. Arrivals of our Peruvian kents are demonstrating exceptional quality so far, so we're thrilled for a strong start to the season."
Mission says its Peruvian mangoes are cultivated by a grower team with extensive knowledge and experience. New this season, Mission's kent mangoes are specially packed in Mission's innovative four-count mango bag of retail-ready snacking mangoes, which will be featured in SEPC's new product showcase, the release said.
“Mission's retail-ready mango bag has been an early success, and we are using that momentum to uncover more opportunities for growth in the avocado and mango categories,” Becker said. “In anticipation of SEPC, we took a look at how avocados are performing in the southern region of the U.S. — and discovered a huge opportunity to drive more avocado sales in the region. In fact, if the South were to capture its fair share of national avocado sales, the region could generate an additional $184 million for the category annually."
Attendees can visit Mission Produce at booth No. 840.
Bee Sweet Citrus
Bee Sweet Citrus is eager to showcase its specialty citrus line to SEPC show attendees, says Monique Mueller, director of communications.
"With California's citrus season in full swing, we have a robust line of specialty varieties that include minneola tangelos, cara cara navels, meyer lemons, heirloom navels, Royal Red oranges and more," Mueller said.
Bland Farms
Bland Farms is eager to share in the theme of this year's SEPC event.
“This year's Southern Exposure theme really speaks to who we are as a company,” said Sloan Lott, director of sales for Bland Farms. “The Blands have always been about family, and gathering around a shared meal is a big part of their lives. That's why we're excited to showcase our Sweet Onions and Sand Candy Sweet Potatoes — because anytime we can be part of family meals, it means a lot.
“With Vidalia Sweet Onion season right around the corner, we'll be sharing crop updates, along with ways we can support our retail partners through marketing, merchandising, and display-building to drive sales,” Lott continued. “As part of our year-round sweet onion program, we'll also have our Premium Sweet Onions from Mexico, which bridge the gap until Vidalias hit the shelves. And of course, our Sand Candy Sweet Potatoes — available year-round — will be on display as well.”
Bland Farms will be at booth No. 714.
Spice World
Spice World plans to feature several innovations.
“The newest innovation in our garlic line is Spice World's Refrigerated Fresh Diced Garlic,” said Mike Smith, senior vice president sales and marketing. “It is packaged in a 5-ounce resealable pouch and is the most convenient way for adding fresh and zesty flavor to dishes.”
Spice World also plans to showcase its latest innovation in ginger.
“The ginger category grew 9.4% in past year as consumers continue to realize the healthy and tasty benefits of incorporating ginger to their diets,” said Smith. “We are thrilled to feature Spice World's newest ginger product — Refrigerated Peeled Ginger — which comes in a 7-ounce resealable pouch and features pre-peeled ginger that saves busy cooks time by removing the outer skin in advance.”
Del Fresco Pure
Greenhouse grower Del Fresco Pure will spotlight the expansion of its organic line with the addition of organic seedless English cucumbers.
The company says the cucumbers offer a blend of crispness and sweetness, making them a versatile addition to any meal. Free from seeds and certified organic, they provide a healthy, convenient option for consumers.
"Our organic seedless English cucumbers are a testament to our dedication to producing exceptional greenhouse-grown vegetables," Ray Mastronardi, vice president of sales for Del Fresco Pure, said in a news release. "We are committed to providing our customers with nutritious and delicious produce that meets the highest standards of organic greenhouse-grown produce."
In addition to showcasing its organic seedless English cucumbers and its lineup of organic and conventional greenhouse-grown tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, Del Fresco Pure says it will highlight its recent Equitable Food Initiative certification, which underscores the company's commitment to ethical labor practices and sustainable agriculture. The EFI certification recognizes excellence in worker empowerment, food safety, and environmental stewardship.
"Achieving EFI certification is a significant milestone for Del Fresco Pure," said Mastronardi. "It reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a positive impact on our workforce and the environment. We believe that sustainable practices are essential to the future of agriculture, and we're proud to be at the forefront of this movement."
The Del Fresco Pure team will be at booth No. 719.
Dole Fresh Vegetables
Dole Fresh Vegetables will debut four new salad kit varieties at the SEPC event.
The one new Dole chopped kit and three Dole premium kits — showcasing Smash Burger, Apple Harvest, Cool Melon and Strawberry Poppyseed flavors — are the direct result of expanded research by Dole into the latest taste trends ranging from fruits, herbs and spices to low-sugar, smoke and char preferences. They also directly leverage 12-month shopper grocery sales and preferences, the company says.
“Dole is using every R&D tool at its disposal — from new consumer insights and culinary partnerships to focus groups involving not just salad loyalists but the growing number of millennial and Gen Z salad users — to continually evolve the packaged salad experience,” said David Austin, Dole Fresh Vegetables' vice president of product innovation.
Now shipping to retail throughout North America, the new SKUs officially launch at Southern Exposure before joining the Dole refrigerated salad sets at supermarkets in the U.S. and Canada by April 7. This latest salad kit debut is being supported by a national marketing program encompassing Southern Exposure trade show trials, advertising, PR and at-retail POS.
Dole says it will offer tastings at booth No. 928.
Nickey Gregory Co.
The Nickey Gregory Co. will use SEPC as an opportunity to share the company's growth.
“We've been heavily focused on foodservice, but in September we launched a retail support division,” said Andrew Scott, director of marketing and business development.
Nickey Gregory expanded its team and added five new trucks as part of the new retail division, he said. The company will look to meet with independent retailers at SEPC to share its expanded services.
Nickey Gregory also plans to showcase offerings from its Family Fresh processing division that include both foodservice items as well as fresh-cut retail packs, Scott said. Nickey Gregory will exhibit at booth No. 701 at Southern Exposure.