The Council Connection November 2024

Membership Registration 2024-2025

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. 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!

NOVEMBER 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:

ALOHA!

We are thrilled to invite you to SEPC’s flagship conference, Southern Exposure, taking place March 6-8, 2025, at the beautiful Orlando World Center Marriott. This year, our theme is inspired by the warm and inclusive spirit of Hawaii, encapsulated in our tagline ~ 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.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Engaging Educational Sessions: Gain insights from industry leaders and experts.
  • Vibrant Trade Show: Explore the latest products and innovations in our expansive exhibit hall.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers, partners, and professionals in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
  • Hawaiian-Themed Events: Enjoy festive gatherings, delicious cuisine, and island-inspired entertainment.
  • Family Meals Focus: Learn about the benefits of family meals and how they can strengthen bonds and improve well-being.

Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of our produce family - sharing knowledge, building relationships, and celebrating our collective successes over shared meals. Register now to secure your spot and be part of an unforgettable experience. We look forward to welcoming you with open arms and the spirit of aloha!

BRIGHT IDEAS FRESH ARRIVALS

Feature your new products within our Bright Ideas Fresh Arrivals showcase!

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR SHOWCASE

  • As you register for Southern Exposure, select Bright Ideas Fresh Arrivals as one of your sessions.
  • Once you register, you’ll receive a submission link via email for your showcase information.
  • Submit your information for your Bright Ideas Fresh Arrivals showcase through the submission link by Friday, December 13, 2024 to be included in our conference directory.
  • Cases are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis and space is limited.
  • You must include one (1) high-resolution image of your product as well as a detailed description (50 words or less).
  • Once you register, you will receive an invoice for your showcase.

SHOWCASE INFORMATION

  • Price: $500
  • Case Dimensions: 37” W x 13” H x 25.5" D
  • Space is limited to one (1) case per member company (unless approved by the SEPC)
  • All shelves include lighting
  • Cases will be locked before and during the exposition
  • Display items must not adhere to the case itself
  • You will be able to access the case during listed Exhibitor Booth Setup hours
  • Final date to receive a refund - January 3, 2025
Here is an example of our Bright Ideas Fresh Arrivals showcase with last year’s theme: Produce - The Unseen Heroes!

INNOVATION STATIONS

Our Innovation Stations are also back by popular demand in which one (1) of your team members may highlight a new product, product line, or service during our Southern Exposure Expo.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR INNOVATION STATION APPLICATION

  • Submit your application for an Innovation Station through the link below by Friday, December 13, 2024.
  • Stations are sold on a first-come, first-served basis and space is limited.
  • Priority will be given to waitlisted companies who meet the criteria as well as companies who are interested in joining the SEPC.
  • You must include your logo, one (1) high-resolution image of your product (or product family), as well as a detailed description (50 words or less).
  • You will be notified via email on Friday, December 13th, regarding your application.
  • If approved, you will then receive an invoice for your Innovation Station.

Price: $1,995*

*Does not include individual/group registration fees; individual registration purchase required; additional associates would need to purchase additional individual registrations; Final date to receive a refund - January 3, 2025

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Company must be a member in good standing of Southeast Produce Council.
  • Company is not currently exhibiting at Southern Exposure (unless prior SEPC approval).
  • New product, product line, or family of items must not exceed 4 individual SKUs.
  • New product must have been presented to market since September of 2024 or will be launched before July of 2025. (Verification required)

GUIDELINES

  • Space is limited to one (1) Innovation Station per member company.
  • One company member allowed in station at a time. (Individual registration required. Additional associates would also need to purchase individual registrations or register as part of a group registration.)
  • No additional signage, banners, display racks, etc. will be allowed; you must remain within the space limits of your station!
  • Sampling is permitted per convention center policies (see exhibitor kit).
  • One (1) stool will be provided at each station.
  • Storage space is available within the desk area of the station. All items/branding must be contained within the confines of the Innovation Station desk.
  • Innovation Station setup during listed Exhibitor Setup hours.
  • Innovation Stations are branded with the conference theme; submitted company logo will be included on the face of the desk (within the white area as pictured below)
Here is an example of our Innovation Station with last year’s theme - Produce: The Unseen Heroes!

Short for “Learning, Interacting and Networking with Key players in the Supply chain,” LINKS is an educational leadership program where exceptional Southeastern growers and shippers can connect with Retail/Foodservice providers in the region in a non-competitive environment. By enhancing each side’s understanding of the retail supply chain, we can facilitate our mutual goals to better service consumers and drive Southeastern produce consumption. The SEPC will provide a meeting space at Southern Exposure to participating Retail/Foodservice members who facilitate the program with invited Growers and Shippers.

LINKS Reservations for SEPC Retail/Foodservice Members*

Please submit through the link below by February 3, 2025 to request your LINKS meeting space during Southern Exposure.

*LINKS Meeting Reservations must be submitted/approved through SEPC. Requests will be accommodated as they are received, and we will do our best to coordinate your space needs with what is available.

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. Individuals are selected through an application and interview process based on leadership experience and interest in developing a career in fresh produce.

We cannot wait to get to know our STEP-UPP Classes next year!

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.

Community Updates

SEPC Cares Activation in Wake of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton

Due to the overwhelming need for disaster relief, SEPC reached out to our members for donations to Samaritan’s Purse. The storms have left a path of devastation across the Southeast, from the coast of Florida to the mountains of North Carolina, and SEPC has responded to help those in need.

SEPC received and matched all donations up to $25,000 in total. If you've not contributed already, please consider making a contribution to join in our cause:

Please keep the millions of people affected by these storms in your prayers. Please pray for volunteers as they respond and bring the hope and comfort that only the Lord Jesus Christ can offer.

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” ~ Hebrews 4:16

Our featured SEPC Cares charitable partner for November is Paul Anderson Youth Home, a Christ-centered, fully licensed and accredited home offering a second chance to young men since 1961.

The Home focuses on helping transform the lives of troubled young men and their families from all over the country, meeting them at their point of need, and providing a Christian home environment in which they can rebuild their broken lives through a process of recovery, restoration, and redemption.

Through our partnership with Paul Anderson Youth Home, we support efforts with their Goodness Garden, Ag Business Class, annual Bike Ride, and Golf Tournament.

recent rebuild of the PAYH Goodness Garden
"A huge thank you to SEPC for their support and dedication in helping us rebuild the 'Goodness Garden' at the youth home. You are making a difference!! Stay tuned for more updates." - PAYH Advancement Officer Victoria Shuman

We're so grateful to Kelly Stainner w/ Society of St. Andrew for representing SEPC during Arnold Palmer Hospital's Trick or Treat Parade!

"It was an amazing event! So happy to have been there. The final picture is the construction site of the new hospital building that is being built thanks in part to SEPC donations." - Kelly Stainner, SoSA Florida Regional Director

What is Crop Drop?

Feeding Families for OVER a Decade

Since 2009, Crop Drop volunteers have sorted, bagged and distributed hundreds of thousands of pounds of unsold produce to feed families in need. Each November, volunteers parse more than 110,000 pounds of produce into family-size bags that are then loaded into the backs of agency vehicles to be transported to food pantries, homeless shelters, and church dispensaries across the panhandle. More than 50 agencies from across Walton, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa counties collect and distribute bagged produce from Crop Drop that help feed an estimated 6,000 families (24,000 individuals) each year.

Once again, SEPC Cares is teaming up with Society of St Andrew to send a truckload of assorted produce to this annual Thanksgiving distribution.

To donate a pallet or two of fresh produce, please contact the following by November 15th: Jose Roggiero - Freshway Produce: jose@freshwayusa.com - 305-431-1300 or Kelly Stainner - Society of St. Andrew: florida@endhunger.org – 863-224-0472

Drop off locations (must be delivered by the morning of November 19th):

  • Mack Farms - Lake Wales, FL (Chandler Mack, 863-605-7151)
  • Genuine Georgia - Tifton, GA, (Duke Lane, 478-952-9000)
  • Nickey Gregory Company – Forest Park, GA (Andrew Scott, 404-449-1057)
  • Freshway Produce - Miami, FL (Jose Roggiero, 305-431-1300)

Prefer to volunteer? Volunteers must check in at the church by 7:30 am.

The Southeast Produce Council would like to thank our dedicated members for their donations and time to help with this worthy cause!

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.

Together We Grow Higher

Member Highlight

The Southeast Produce Council is thrilled to continue our second year of the SEPC Next Generation Leadership Academy (NGLA) with the 2025 Class. This year-long professional development program is truly unique and is designed for up-and-coming leaders in the produce industry. The program provides participants with a unique approach to conscious leadership ideals and methodologies. Participants will develop and galvanize leadership skills to better navigate industry challenges with a growth mindset. The Academy features virtually guided events throughout the year and up to two in-person programming focused on the next era of agriculture. The program equips and prepares participants for future leadership responsibilities with content relevant to their leadership challenges.

The class will be recognized during the Future Generations Celebration Dinner on Thursday, March 6th, at Southern Exposure 2025.

The Vorhees Vision Scholarship was created to reward the achievements of young individuals who demonstrate a true entrepreneurial spirit in their lives as they pursue their educational goals. This scholarship is named in honor of the late Terry L. Vorhees, founder and first Executive Director of the Southeast Produce Council. Because of his vision and efforts, the Southeast Produce Council became and remains one of the best resources in the produce industry today.

One college-aged student (graduating high school senior or current college student) will receive a one-time scholarship of $10,000 to their enrolling college/university. The 2nd place recipient will receive $1,500, and the 3rd place recipient will receive $1,000.

The application can only be submitted online through our link which will be provided beginning November 25, 2024. The application deadline is January 10, 2025 at 5pm EST.

Visit our website for more scholarship information!

Congratulations to Andy Baughn of Meijer for being the first to answer our October SEPC Fruit & Veggie Trivia Question correctly!

NOVEMber Trivia Question

Be the first to answer correctly and win a $25 gift card!

Which of these is a type of squash?

The SEPC office will be closed Thursday, November 28th, and Friday, November 29th, to celebrate Thanksgiving with our families.

Contact us

242 North Masonic Street | Millen, GA 30442 | 877.720.SEPC (7372) | info@seproducecouncil.com