Membership Registration
June 2025 – May 2026
Behind every piece of produce are countless people who helped along the way – the skilled hands, sharp minds, and big hearts that comprise a critical industry in our country. SEPC brings these worlds together. Because together, we create a strong, vibrant industry now and for decades to come.
Together We Grow Higher!
Please review the updated membership information on our website, including restructured membership tiers, and select which annual membership* best suits your company's needs. Once your current membership status is confirmed, then you'll be able to register for our events.
*Note that our annual membership period runs June through May of the following year. We do not prorate our membership fees. Contact our office if unsure of current membership status.
**All conference attendees are required to be SEPC members in order to attend any events. SEPC conferences have their own registration and fees. Exhibitors are required to maintain a corporate membership.**
Our Sponsors
SEPC sponsors are a vital part of our existence. Simply put, sponsor contributions help us bring more to the table for everyone. Like better networking and education events, fresh talent, and a broader awareness of best practices throughout our industry. And of course, when you help us promote produce, your organization will gain crucial exposure at our events and engagements throughout the year. Together, we create a strong, vibrant industry now and for decades to come.
Together We Grow Higher!
MAY LEVEL SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
NEW SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
SEPC is now offering sponsorship opportunities exclusive to driving our educational programs that are the best in class for our industry. With different tiers available, you can contribute to the future education of our next generation of produce professionals. Visit our website to learn more about the innovative ways through which you can support the future of our industry:
THANK YOU TO OUR 2024-2025 FUTURE OF INDUSTRY SPONSORS!
REGISTer NOW!
HEAR YE, HEAR YE!
Prepare to embark upon a grand exploration of the freshest innovations within our industry, as we unveil a regal array of new products and cutting-edge technologies to elevate the marketplace. Join us at our esteemed annual tradeshow and conference, where we shall showcase the latest breakthroughs in the realm of fresh produce—spanning organics, groundbreaking product developments, forward-thinking technologies, and pioneering brand strategies.
Be enlightened by distinguished industry leaders during our educational sessions, tailored to help you ascend within an ever-competitive landscape. Gain invaluable, data-driven insights that will empower you to strengthen your brand and elevate your business to new heights. And, as is our tradition, indulge in the warm embrace of Southern hospitality as you mingle with peers and colleagues, fostering connections in an atmosphere of camaraderie and innovation.
👑 Royal Adventures Await 👑
Step into the Queen City and rule your Southern Innovations experience with an activity fit for royalty—happening Wednesday, September 10th! Whether you're swinging on the greens, smashing pickleballs, touring like a local, or aiming for the perfect clay shot, this is your moment to choose how you'll reign supreme. These curated adventures offer the perfect way to connect, unwind, and enjoy the royal treatment before the main events begin.
SEPC’s 2025 STEP-UPP Retail Class Spring Tour
The Southeast Produce Council’s STEP-UPP Retail Class embarked on their spring tour last month, taking participants into the field and on plant tours to gain hands-on experience in how to partner with growers more effectively. STEP-UPP, which is an acronym for Southeast Training Education Program for Upcoming Produce Professionals, is SEPC’s flagship program giving retail and foodservice produce professionals a greater understanding of the industry through an emphasis on strategic orientation, personal leadership, and hands-on field experience.
The STEP-UPP Retail Class tour began April 1st as participants arrived that evening for food and fellowship at Key Biscayne Yacht Club, hosted by Freshway Produce.
The next day, the class began their tour bright and early with an amazing series of facility, farm, and field tours hosted by the following SEPC level sponsors: Alpine Fresh, Freshway Produce, and Crystal Valley Foods.
The tour resumed Thursday with more fantastic facility, farm, and field tours hosted by the following SEPC level sponsors: Southern Specialties, PennRose Farms, and Duda Farm Fresh Foods.
Culminating the trip, the class toured the facilities of SEPC level sponsor WP Produce before they departed for home.
"The 2025 STEP-UPP class hit the ground running, quickly learning and becoming involved with our first trip to Southern Florida. From facility to farm to field, each stop provided firsthand experiences that deepened their understanding of produce, quality control and the supply chain. It is always a true joy for me to see STEP-UPP students learn so much and truly benefit from this tour. Thank you again to our dedicated SEPC member companies that allowed the class to gain this fresh perspective." --- Gary Baker, SEPC Secretary and STEP-UPP Retail Committee Co-Chair, Merchants Distributors
“The first trip of the 2025 STEP-UPP Retail class last week was an incredible educational experience. The class gained valuable insights into asparagus, tropical fruits, specialty crops, eggplant, peppers, and cucumbers. A big thank you to all the companies and associates who presented—your expertise made a lasting impact! The class not only left with greater industry knowledge but also with full stomachs thanks to the amazing food we enjoyed. Next up: STEP-UPP Virtual Education Day, followed by our June trip for even more learning in this great industry!” --- Mike Roberts, SEPC Board Ambassador and STEP-UPP Retail Committee Co-Chair, Harps Food Stores
Special thanks to SEPC’s Future of Industry sponsors: Bolthouse Fresh, Equifruit, Great Lakes Greenhouses, J&C Tropicals, Red Sun Farms, RPE, Shuman Farms, Southern Valley, Square 1 Farms, and Syngenta. Your support is greatly appreciated!
The graduation ceremony for the STEP-UPP Retail Class of 2025 will be held during Southern Innovations this September in Charlotte, North Carolina.
APPLY NOW for one of our 2026 STEP-UPP Classes
Are you, or do you know, a retail or foodservice professional looking to develop a greater understanding of the produce industry through strategic orientation, personal leadership, and hands-on field experience? If so, we invite you to apply for the SEPC's STEP-UPP (Southeast Training Education Program for Upcoming Produce Professionals) 2026, available to both Retail and Foodservice members.
This unique program offers exceptional networking opportunities and in-depth insights into the inner workings of the supplier side of the industry. Both classes will begin in January and will offer a combination of classroom learning and field tours throughout the year long program. The year will culminate with graduation at Southern Innovations.
We are now accepting applications for both the 2026 Retail and Foodservice classes through Friday, July 11, 2025, before 5:00 pm EST. Only 10-12 students will be accepted in each class, so be sure to get your application in today!
The STEP-UPP Foodservice class targets professionals in broadline foodservice companies that provide food and non-food products to restaurants, cafeterias, industrial caterers, and hotels and also in chain foodservice companies which include restaurants, hotels, industrial caterers, cafeterias, and meal box subscription companies. Foodservice participants will attend two tours in February and May, with attendance at both Southern Exposure and Southern Innovations required.
The STEP-UPP Retail class is designed for professionals from full-service retail chains that sell food directly to consumers, such as grocery stores, convenience stores, and club stores. Participants will gain valuable industry insights through two tours in April and June. Attendance at both Southern Exposure and Southern Innovations is required.
We’ve put together a variety of educational programs to help advance your career and nurture the next generation of produce luminaries. Whether you’re brushing up on the fundamentals or keeping up with the latest innovations in the industry, your SEPC membership offers plenty of opportunity to enrich your knowledge.
RECOGNITION
Our industry is about passion. Every member of SEPC puts in extra time on the job because of the satisfaction that a better yield in crops, businesses, and relationships brings us. But there are a select few who stand out among us who unite our region through tireless effort, extraordinary instinct, and a genuine love for our industry. We’re proud to recognize them with THE UNSEEN HERO AWARD as well as the TERRY VORHEES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD and the SEPC LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP AWARD.
The Unseen Hero Award honors individuals who work behind the scenes in the produce industry, recognizing their dedication, impact, and essential contributions. Our mission is to celebrate these heroes, fostering appreciation throughout the industry.
We are now accepting nominations for The Unseen Hero Award! If you know someone whose dedication, hard work, and contributions deserve to be recognized, we encourage you to submit a nomination.
Award Criteria:
Nominees should exemplify:
- Dedication & Commitment – A strong work ethic and long-term contributions to their role.
- Impact & Influence – Significant contributions that improve their company, team, or the industry.
- Leadership & Initiative – Going above and beyond their responsibilities.
- Collaboration & Teamwork – Supporting colleagues and fostering a positive work environment.
- Integrity & Values – Embodying the core values of SEPC and the produce industry.
How to Nominate:
- Submit your nomination by June 13, 2025 using the link below.
- Nominations must include details on the nominee’s role, impact, and why they deserve to be honored. Supporting documents such as testimonials or letters of recommendation are encouraged but not required.
Help us shine a light on the incredible individuals who make a difference every day. We look forward to celebrating these Unseen Heroes at Southern Innovations 2025.
As part of our SEPC Cares commitment to giving back, we are seeking support for our Good Seeds Buckets and Strong Roots, Strong Heart initiatives. These bags and buckets are filled with essential items for the homeless, and your support will have a meaningful impact on those in need.
In appreciation of your generosity, we will send you a copy of our new book, For the Love of Produce - Southeast Produce Council's Culture and Spirit, which features personal stories and experiences from our members.
We encourage you to join us in making a difference in our community—because Together, We Grow Higher!
Community Updates
Our Featured Charitable Partner for May is Palmer Home for Children, a faith-based organization that provides a family and community to children in need regardless of race, gender, or background. Palmer Home provides superior care for children while introducing the love of God through their service to each individual child. Palmer Home ensures restorative environments where children feel safe, connected, and supported.
Whether on campus or off, each child served by Palmer Home has a safe place to call home with trustworthy, supportive adults to guide them as they grow and develop into all that God created them to be. Palmer Home provides holistic care to each child based on their unique physical, emotional, spiritual, and educational needs.
SEPC partners with Palmer Home for Children to coordinate efforts for children in need, including the annual Palmer Home Radiothon, Hope Grows Garden, and Ag Literacy Programs.
For 130 years, Palmer Home for Children has been a place of refuge, healing, and hope. As we reflect on this milestone, we are in awe of how God has worked through this ministry to transform countless lives. Because of His faithfulness and the generosity of supporters like you, children have found safety, families have been restored, and brighter futures have been made possible.
At Palmer Home's Hope Grows Garden, kids do more than plant seeds--they grow confidence, patience, and a sense of community. Tending to the garden gives them the time and space to heal, learn responsibility, and see the impact of their care firsthand. The best part? The fruits and vegetables they grow help feed them and their Palmer Home family.
"Thank you to Southeast Produce Council, Inc. for making the Hope Grows Garden possible!"
🌷Learn more about the garden's impact!🌷
Make sure to mark your calendars for another impactful day filled with stories of hope, healing, and transformation, all to support Palmer Home’s mission of providing Christ-centered care to children navigating difficult circumstances. It’s a day that means so much, and we can’t wait to share more.
The 32nd Annual Paul Anderson Golf Classic is just around the corner!🏌️
⛳ Join us Monday, May 5th at The River Club in North Augusta, SC, for an incredible day of golf, camaraderie, and giving back.
More than just a tournament, this event is a lifeline for young men. Every swing helps provide hope, healing, and a future through the mission of Paul Anderson Youth Home.
🏆 The tournament will be played as a 4-man scramble, with prizes awarded at the end of the competition. Players may also purchase mulligans (2 per player max) to enhance their game!
Secure your spot today!
🌟 A Huge Thank You to the Southeast Produce Council!🌟We are grateful to SEPC for their generous sponsorship of the Paul Anderson Golf Classic! 🏌️♂️⛳ Your support helps us continue the mission of the Paul Anderson Youth Home, shaping the lives of young men through faith, discipline, and hard work. Because of amazing sponsors like you, we can make a lasting impact! 🙌💙
"WHAT A BANQUET!! God showed up & showed out. He always provides in the exact ways he sees fit. This 3rd annual banquet was a huge success and we THANK YOU. Our sponsors, our vendors, our volunteers, our donors who gave items for our auctions, our staff, our families...we couldn't make this happen without you all. UNTIL NEXT YEAR...Thank you all."
We wanted to share an update with you on the Orlando Health / APHC Children’s Pavilion. Below is a video showing an update on the construction and the impact of our financial contributions. The entire building is funded by philanthropy and generous donors which includes SEPC!
The Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta tradition lives on at Piedmont Park, Saturday, June 7, with the family-friendly Strong4Life Superhero Sprint 5K and 1-mile fun run. Use your superpowers to walk, run, roll, sprint or fly to the finish line, and don’t miss out on all the fun before and after the race. From face painting and dancing to fresh donated produce, there’s something for everyone at Superhero Sprint.
All proceeds benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life. At Children’s, their mission is to make kids better today and healthier tomorrow.
We invite you to join our team as we support this super benefit, and as an SEPC member, family member, employee, or co-worker, you will receive free registration and a complimentary t-shirt. Use discount code SEPC2025 to receive free registration.
Or if you aren’t up for the run, but would like to help out, we encourage you to make a donation to this worthy cause. Your tax-deductible donations go towards helping children and their families that need a little hope.
VOLUNTEER OR DONATE PRODUCT FOR THE COMMUNITY PRODUCE DRIVE
For several years, Southeast Produce Council has served as the Title Sponsor of the Strong4Life Superhero Sprint and gives away fresh, complimentary produce to event attendees.
If you are interested in volunteering at our booth, please reach out to Molly Edenfield and plan to meet us at Piedmont Park (Charles Allen Drive gate entrance in Atlanta, Georgia) around 6:00 am Saturday morning.
We also welcome product donations to pass out to attendees before, during, and after the race. Please contact Blair Greenhill to make donation arrangements prior to June 4th.
We’re thankful for the generous support and hope that you all are able to join us!
JOIN US AT THE MACON FRESH PRODUCE DISTRIBUTION
DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEERS ARE WELCOME!
SEPC Cares is proud to announce details of our annual food distribution, taking place on Friday, June 13, 2025, in Macon, Georgia. In partnership with the Society of St. Andrew and Atrium Health Navicent, we are committed to improving the health of our community.
Event Details:
📍 NEW Location: Atrium Health Amphitheater, 3657 Eisenhower Parkway, Macon, GA 31206
📅 Date: Friday, June 13, 2025
This annual event is part of our ongoing mission to address food insecurity and promote wellness in underserved communities. With your support, we can continue to expand the reach and impact of this initiative.
Volunteer Opportunities: We welcome all SEPC members who wish to donate their time and energy to help distribute produce and support event logistics. Stay tuned for more details on specific volunteer needs!
Product Donations: Members interested in donating fresh produce can coordinate with Kelly Stainner at florida@endhunger.org or call (863) 224-0472.
Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION!
"Words fall short of expressing how important you are— not only does The Society of St. Andrew (SoSA) rely on volunteers just like you, but your neighbors in need do as well. Without you, perfectly good, fresh, produce would be wasted. Because of you, perfectly good, fresh produce is distributed to families throughout the United States, at no cost! I wish it was possible to highlight every volunteer who has given of their time to help feed families. People in every state, every county are touched by your faithfulness in fulfilling Jesus' command in Matthew 14:16, "you give them something to eat". In partnership with The Society of St. Andrew, YOU help bridge the gap between available food and neighborhoods in need. Just know that we appreciate you!" On behalf of those we serve, Barbara Lipford, Society of St. Andrew National Volunteer Coordinator
To learn more about SEPC Cares and how you can join the Southeast Produce Council in giving back to the community by educating others about the benefits of healthy eating and habits, click the link below.
Recipients of the SEPC Member Scholarship will each receive a scholarship of $1,500 toward their educational goals for the upcoming school year. The SEPC is proud to have awarded 39 scholarships ($58,500) in 2024 thanks to the dedication of our members.
Thank you to all of our applicants! The application deadline was April 25, 2025 at 5pm EST. Recipients will be announced May 19th!
Nolan Family Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship was established to memorialize Jim Nolan, who took an ethical stand on a business matter at great cost to himself. As a result of his professional ethics, Nolan was ostracized by colleagues and remained isolated in his efforts to maintain moral integrity in his workplace. It would have taken only a few others with the courage to speak out to change the course of events. Tragically, Jim died before the trial that finally vindicated his actions by a judge and a jury of 13 who found in his favor. Our sincere thanks to Theresa Nolan for providing this scholarship to the members of the Southeast Produce Council. She is a lifetime member of the SEPC and is always available to lend a helping hand wherever needed.
Scholarship Details
One college-aged student (graduating high school senior or current college student) will receive a one-time scholarship of $5,000 to their enrolling college/university. The scholarship will be awarded based on GPA (3.0 or higher), references, and quality of essay.
The application can only be submitted online through our link which will be provided beginning May 12, 2025. The application deadline is June 27, 2025 at 5pm EST.
Visit our website for more scholarship information!
Congratulations to Jim Mastromichalis of Harris Teeter for being the first to answer our April SEPC Fruit & Veggie Trivia Question correctly!
May Trivia Question
Be the first to answer correctly and win a $25 gift card!
If you’re not keen on milk but would like more calcium in your diet, it may interest you to find out that a cup of these has as much calcium as the same amount of milk.
Bell Peppers
Figs
Carrots
Apples
Contact us
242 North Masonic Street | Millen, GA 30442 | 877.720.SEPC (7372) | info@seproducecouncil.com