Membership Registration for 2024-2025 IS NOW OPEN!
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.
*Please 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. 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!
June Sponsor Spotlight
REGISTER NOW FOR SOUTHERN INNOVATIONS!
Discover “What’s New?” within our industry as we springboard new product items and technologies into the marketplace. Brush up on best practices, keep up with emerging trends, test new products, hear from national thought leaders, and network with other council members who share the same passions you do.
Educational sessions led by industry leaders complement our tradeshow, offering an opportunity to hear how to elevate your brand in an increasingly competitive field and receive valuable fact-based data to strengthen and improve your business. And as always, you’ll be able to sample a taste of true Southern hospitality as you fellowship with friends and colleagues.
Sold Out Exhibit Space!
Speakers
Digital Toolkit
The SEPC is pleased to provide you with our newest digital toolkit. We hope you will take advantage of these digital tools as you prepare to join us in Nashville for Southern Innovations!
Visit our website to discover more!
The Southeast Produce Council’s STEP-UPP Retail Class had an amazingly successful experience for their Virtual Education Day with these phenomenal member company hosts:
They also gleaned valuable information from keynote speaker Anne-Marie Roerink of 210 Analytics.
Thank you all for yet another unforgettable experience!
APPLY NOW for one of our 2025 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 find out more and apply for our 2025 STEP-UPP (Southeast Training Education Program for Upcoming Produce Professionals) available to both Retailer and Foodservice members where you'll experience exceptional networking opportunities and learn the inner workings of the supplier side of the industry.
The 2025 class year for both our STEP-UPP Retail and STEP-UPP Foodservice participants officially starts in January 2025 and will provide a variety of experiences through both classroom experiences and on-the-ground field tours in the spring and summer. The year will culminate with graduation at Southern Innovations held September 2025 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, NC.
We will be accepting applications for the 2025 Retail and Foodservice classes now through Friday, July 12, 2024 before 5:00 pm EST. Only 10-12 students are accepted each year within each class, so get your application in today!
For more information about the STEP-UPP program as well as other SEPC educational opportunities, please visit the Education page of the SEPC website.
COmmunity Updates
Our Featured Charitable Partner for June is Society of St. Andrew whose partnership enables us to do our part to help feed America’s hungry. In addition to financial support as well as disaster relief donations, the SEPC is honored to work with the Society of St. Andrew to donate all leftover food from Southern Exposure and Southern Innovations each year to help those who are hungry in the Southeast.
Join Us for a Food Distribution
DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEERS ARE WELCOME!
SEPC Cares is proud to announce our annual Food Distribution Event in Macon, GA! On June 21st, SEPC, Society of St. Andrew, and Atrium Hospital are joining forces to distribute fresh produce to those in need, and we could use your help! Our mission is to significantly impact the community's health by direct distribution of SEPC fresh produce and by providing health education. This year we have several exciting ways for you to volunteer to help us fight food insecurity in our community. SEPC members who are interested in volunteering can sign up below.
To donate products, please contact Kelly Stainner at florida@endhunger.org or (863)224-0472 to coordinate.
⛳️ It's a Birdie for the Books! ⛳️
"This year marked the 31st Annual Paul Anderson Youth Home Golf Classic Tournament at River Golf Club in North Augusta, S.C. We're filled with gratitude for our dedicated players and sponsors who brought laughter, camaraderie, and some impressive shots to the greens. Your generous support makes a real difference in the lives of young men at PAYH. We can't thank you enough for making this a truly unforgettable day!”
"It's official! The 2024 Bike Ride Season is now underway. Michael, Camden, Linden, Jaxon, Blake, Kevin, and Jack had their bike fitting and training class. We want to give a special shout-out to John Cameron, from NatureSweet, for taking time out of his busy schedule to pour into the young men the importance of bike safety and setting up their bikes for a safe ride. Thank you for your generosity and partnership!"
If you feel led to contribute, please visit their link below...
CALLING ALL SEPC SUPERHEROES!
The Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life Superhero Sprint tradition lives on at Piedmont Park in Atlanta, GA. Join us for a 5K and 1-mile 'fun run' event on Saturday, June 8, 2024. This family event will benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Strong4Life initiative, dedicated to help families raise healthy, safe, and resilient kids.
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. Search for the "Southeast Produce Council" team when registering and use discount code sepc2024 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 the past few years, Southeast Produce Council has been the Title Sponsor of the Strong4Life Superhero Sprint and gives away fresh, free produce to event attendees. We encourage any SEPC members who'd like to volunteer 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 (404-366-7410; blair@nickeygregory.com) to make donation arrangements.
We’re thankful for the generous support and hope that you all are able to join us!
The 12th annual Radiothon hosted in partnership with SuperTalk Mississippi will take place on Thursday, July 11th, 2023. Tune in to SuperTalk FM on July 11th to hear testimonies from those who have been directly impacted by Palmer Home for Children and their mission to provide hope and healing for children and families in need or make a donation below to support their mission.
Palmer Home's Hope Grows Garden Continues to Thrive!
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.
Scholarship Details
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 has awarded 39 scholarships ($58,500) in 2024 thanks to the dedication of our members.
Congratulations to our 2024 SEPC Member Scholarship recipients!
Recipients of the SEPC Fresh Chefs Scholarship will each receive one (1) of three (3) $1,500 scholarships towards their educational goals for the upcoming year. In addition to the scholarship funds, each recipient will also be expected to attend the SEPC’s Southern Innovations conference & expo. The SEPC will cover hotel and travel expenses to this event and will also provide an SEPC Fresh Chefs jacket for each recipient. The scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to meet with hundreds of produce industry grower/shipper members as well as the nation’s leading retailers and foodservice distributors.
Congratulations to our 2024 SEPC Fresh Chefs Scholarship recipients!
Visit our website for application parameters, eligibility requirements, and more!
https://seproducecouncil.com/education/#fresh-chefs
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 was provided May 13, 2024. The application deadline is June 28, 2024 at 5pm EST.
Visit our website for more scholarship information!
Congratulations to Jeff Binkley of Sunrise Produce for being the first to answer our May SEPC Fruit & Veggie Trivia Question correctly!
june Trivia Question
Be the first to answer correctly and win a $25 gift card!
San Marzano, Santorini, and Green Zebra are varieties of what?
Peas
Beans
Berries
Tomatoes
Contact us
242 North Masonic Street | Millen, GA 30442 | 877.720.SEPC (7372) | info@seproducecouncil.com