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 Grow Higher!
MARCH LEVEL SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
🌟 INVEST IN THE FUTURE 🌟
Sponsor SEPC Educational Programs!
SEPC offers exclusive sponsorship opportunities dedicated to driving our best-in-class educational programs! With different tiers available, you can directly contribute to the future education of our next generation of produce professionals.
Visit our website today to learn more about the innovative ways you can support the future of our industry and gain exposure for your organization!
THANK YOU TO OUR 2025-2026 FUTURE OF INDUSTRY SPONSORS!
THANK Y'ALL FOR ATTENDING
We are so grateful that you were able to join us at this year’s conference where we celebrated the powerful connection between those who grow our food and the families who gather around the table to enjoy it, all while providing abundant opportunities for Networking, Innovating, Connecting, and Educating – Together We Grow Higher!
Feedback Survey
Please take a moment to complete the surveys. We truly value your feedback to further cultivate Southern Exposure for next year!
Attendee List
Don’t forget you can still connect with fellow attendees through our conference app. You may also download the final attendee list. It is our Board’s policy that we do not provide contact information with this list.
CONFERENCE VIDEOS & Photo Gallery will be available soon!
We sincerely appreciate our Sponsors, Committee Members, Exhibitors, and Retail & Foodservice Family for making Southern Exposure 2026 such a success!
Registration for Southern Innovations Will Open In Two Weeks!
STEP-UPP gives Retail and Foodservice produce professionals a greater understanding of the industry through an emphasis on strategic orientation, personal leadership, and hands-on field experience. Please join us in welcoming our 2026 STEP-UPP Classes and wishing them a successful year!
Share Your Expertise!
The Southeast Produce Council invites you to share your expertise as a presenter during our STEP-UPP Virtual Education Days. These sessions provide class participants with valuable insights into all aspects of the produce industry — from growing and harvesting to distribution, marketing, and emerging trends.
Unlike our in-person tours, Virtual Education Day presentations are open to companies nationwide. This is a unique opportunity to showcase your knowledge and highlight your company’s role in the supply chain, regardless of location.
To ensure these sessions are as impactful as possible, we kindly ask that presentations remain educational in nature rather than promotional. The goal is to equip participants with tools, insights, and real-world knowledge they can carry forward in their careers.
We encourage presentations that may include:
📹Virtual field or facility tours🏭
🌱💡Educational sessions on sustainability, innovation, or retail/foodservice trends📈
🎯🚚Insights into marketing, distribution, or processing practices ⚙️
🧠Other impactful topics that provide learning and leadership development🌟
Thank you for helping us inspire and equip the next generation of leaders in the fresh produce industry. Together, we grow higher!
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 March is Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. For the past few years, SEPC has been the Title Sponsor of the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life Superhero Sprint where we give away fresh, free produce to event attendees. All proceeds benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Strong4Life program, which helps Georgia families raise healthy, resilient kids.
We invite you to join our team each year as we support this super benefit, or if you aren’t up for the run, but would like to help out, we would love for you to volunteer with us!
We're excited to welcome a new charitable partner to our SEPC family! Founded in 1906, Nazareth Child & Family Connection is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for every child, individual, and family.
Nazareth has an array of services which are provided in their continuum of care including Family Foster Care, Adoptions, Transitional Living Services for Young Adults, Level II Therapeutic Residential, Short Term Care, Individual and Group Outpatient Therapy, Psychiatric Services, and Outpatient Substance Abuse Therapy in Rowan and Davidson Counties.
🌱HOPE GROWS HERE🌱
Thanks to generous support from the Southeast Produce Council, the Hope Grows Garden at Palmer Home helps their campus serve as a restorative environment for children and families in need of hope and healing.
On February 28th, 135 SoSA volunteers came together to pack an impressive 72,272 pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, and juice generously donated by SEPC exhibitors at Southern Exposure 2026. The donations were first consolidated at Mack Farms before the show, then transported to Southern Exposure by Move For Hunger and the Florida Food Bank, where they were kept on site and kept fresh until showtime.
Early Saturday morning, 25 SoSA volunteers gathered on the dock to pack up 10,800 pounds of fresh food that hadn’t made it onto the showroom floor. This food was quickly sorted and distributed to 15 food pantries and soup kitchens across three counties in Florida.
On Saturday evening, 110 volunteers packed up the remaining items from the show. The Florida Food Bank distributed 55,747 pounds of food throughout the state, while One Heart for Women and Children received nearly 6,000 pounds for hungry Central Florida residents.
“Each time the trucks pull away, loaded with the most beautiful produce, my heart fills with joy. I know that tens of thousands of hungry people will soon be served nutritious and healthy food. For some, it will be their first time tasting certain fruits or vegetables. I am deeply grateful to SEPC for making this beautiful blessing possible for so many.” - Kelly Stainner Butler
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.
Extending our heartfelt congratulations to our newest graduating class!
The Southeast Produce Council is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Vorhees Vision Scholarship, an award created to recognize and support young individuals who demonstrate a strong entrepreneurial spirit while pursuing their educational goals.
The Vorhees Vision Scholarship honors the legacy of the late Terry L. Vorhees, founder and first Executive Director of the Southeast Produce Council. Through his vision and leadership, SEPC became—and remains—one of the produce industry’s most valuable resources for education, networking, and professional growth.
SEPC scholarships are awarded to applicants who meet specific eligibility requirements, including having a parent or grandparent who is a corporate member in good standing with the Council. Qualified members must have been listed on the SEPC membership roster for at least 12 months and have personally attended at least one SEPC event within the past year.
The 2026 Vorhees Vision Scholarship awards include:
First Place: $10,000 one-time scholarship to the recipient’s enrolled college or university
Second Place: $1,500 scholarship
Third Place: $1,000 scholarship
Congratulations to our 2026 Vorhees Vision Scholarship Recipients!
Applicants must be graduating high school seniors or currently enrolled college freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Selection criteria also include letters of recommendation, SAT or ACT scores, leadership and community service involvement, and the overall quality of the applicant’s essay.
The 2026 essay topic, “The Future of Farming and Food Security,” challenged applicants to explore how farmers can continue feeding families while navigating modern challenges such as climate change, labor shortages, and market volatility. Essays focused on the role of innovation, sustainability, and community support in ensuring strong and resilient food systems for future generations.
SEPC congratulates the 2026 Vorhees Vision Scholarship recipients and applauds their commitment to education, leadership, and the future of agriculture.
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 41 scholarships ($61,500) in 2025 thanks to the dedication of our members.
The SEPC Member Scholarship application can only be submitted online through our link which will be provided beginning March 9, 2026. The application deadline is April 24, 2026 at 5pm EST.
Visit our website for more scholarship information!
Congratulations to Laura Smith of Bonsai Produce for being the first to answer our February SEPC Fruit & Veggie Trivia Question correctly!
MARCH TRIVIA QUESTION
Be the first to answer correctly and win a $25 gift card!
🍀🌈 St. Patrick’s Day Edition!
Which green vegetable was brought to America by Irish immigrants in the 1800s and became a staple in the classic St. Patrick’s Day dish, corned beef and ______?
A) Kale
B) Brussels Sprouts
C) Cabbage
D) Leeks
Stay lucky and stay fresh, SEPC Family! 🍀✨
Contact Us!
242 North Masonic Street | Millen, GA 30442 | 877.720.SEPC (7372) | info@seproducecouncil.com