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!
DECEMBER 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 2025-2026 FUTURE OF INDUSTRY SPONSORS!
🎶 HEE-HAW HOWDY, FOLKS! 🎶
Put on yer boots and grab yer best hat — it's time to gather for the rootin’-tootin’est retail roundup this side of the Mississippi!
Join us February 26 – March 1, 2026 for the premier retail-focused tradeshow and conference, specially crafted for all y’all workin’ in both the conventional and organic sides of the industry.
🌽 WHAT’S IN STORE, YOU ASK?🌽
A barnful o’ top-notch exhibitors from the Southeast and beyond
Sage advice from leadin’ voices in the biz
Retail know-how for both the storefront and the interwebs
Good ol’-fashioned networkin’ opportunities
And a heapin’ helpin’ of live entertainment to boot!
So hitch up the wagon, round up the team, and mosey on down to the Southeast’s can’t-miss hoedown of the year!
📅 Mark them calendars: February 26 – March 1, 2026
📍 Location: Orlando World Center Marriott
🪕 Don’t dilly-dally — click below to register and claim yer spot today!
We’ll be hollerin’, learnin’, and two-steppin’ our way through a mighty fine time — and we sure hope to see y’all there!
🚨 BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND 🚨
Our Innovation Stations are returning to Southern Exposure — and this is your team’s chance to shine! 🌟
Got a groundbreaking product, fresh new line, or innovative service? 🎯 One (1) team member can showcase it live on the expo floor!
🧪 Submit your application by Friday, Dec. 12, 2025
📍 Space is limited – first come, first served!
✅ Priority given to waitlisted companies & SEPC prospects; Applications can only be approved for two consecutive years.
✅ Must include your logo, 1 high-res image, and 50-word description
💲 $1,995 (registration not included)
🚫 Max 4 SKUs
🚫 Not for current exhibitors (unless pre-approved)
📆 Refund deadline: Jan. 2, 2026
Let your innovation do the talking — From Fields to Families: Nourishing Our Nation 🌾
💡✨ GOT SOMETHING NEW? LET'S SHOWCASE IT! ✨💡
The SEPC is excited to feature your latest innovations in our Bright Ideas Fresh Arrivals showcase during Southern Exposure 2026! 🌱
🔍 How to Participate:
✅ Select Bright Ideas Fresh Arrivals when registering
✅ Submit your product info via the link emailed after registration
✅ Include a high-res image + 50-word description
📅 Deadline: Friday, December 12, 2025
💵 Showcase Fee: $500
📦 Case Size: 37"W x 13"H x 25.5"D
⚠️ Space is limited and first-come, first-served — reserve your spot today!
Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to shine a spotlight on your newest products in front of key industry leaders and buyers.
DIGITAL TOOLKIT
Quit your fiddlin' around and Gear Up for Southern Exposure! We’re pullin’ out the stops and puttin' the best assets right in your hands. The Southern Exposure Digital Toolkit is ready for download!
Inside, you’ll find all the banners, logos, and official graphics you need to promote your company's presence at the freshest show in the South.
Don't be a cotton-headed ninny muggins! Get your digital assets today and start spreadin' the word!
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
Southeast Produce Council is proud to support these impactful organizations, and we hope you’ll join us this #GivingTuesday, December 2nd, in supporting their missions. If you feel so led to make a contribution, each of our charitable partners would greatly appreciate your donation.
⛳️ What a fantastic day at the Bridge the Gap Ministries Golf Tournament! ⛳️
A huge THANK YOU to all our incredible SEPC members for your unwavering support, generous participation, and commitment to this worthy cause. Your enthusiasm made the event a resounding success, allowing us to continue our mission of giving back.
Whether you were sponsoring, sinking a putt, or just networking on the green, you showed that when the Southeast Produce Council comes together, we truly grow higher.
We are so grateful for our community!
Bland Farms Vidalia Brands
BrightFarms
Fullei Fresh
Highline Mushrooms
L&M
Nickey Gregory Company
Reese Group Inc.
Red Sun Farms
River Valley Fruit
Sbrocco International
Shuman Farms
Sterman Masser
Westfalia Fruit
Chris & Melissa Dove
📸 Relive the Day! 📸
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 our 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.
"While many of us celebrate with family, meals, and gifts, some children long for the simple joy of belonging. At Palmer Home, we believe every child deserves the wonder of Christmas—through the warmth of a safe home and the joy of being deeply loved. Your gift makes that possible. This season, you’re giving more than presents—you’re giving the gift of home, healing and hope."
SAVE THE DATE: 2025 HOLIDAY PARTY
Date: Dec 5, 2025
Location: Howard Phillips Center
Each holiday season, the Central Florida community donates hundreds of toys to OH/APHC. The annual holiday party is a fun community event for patients, children and families
The Phillips-Howard Center for Children & Families is APHC's social outreach partner for local children and families in need.
🥕 SEPC Cares + Society of St. Andrew = Feeding Families This Thanksgiving! 🥦
On Saturday, November 21, in Destin, Florida, the Southeast Produce Council, the Society of St. Andrew, the Crop Drop Destin team, and 350 volunteers gathered for the 17th annual Crop Drop Destin. Over 80,000 pounds of fresh produce were distributed to 43 feeding agencies, feeding over 9,000 families struggling with food insecurity throughout the Florida panhandle. It certainly does take a village! None of this would have been possible without the generous support of the SEPC and its many produce donors.
HUGE thanks to the following companies for their contributions to this event: Ark Foods, Bland Farms, Carb Americas, Caruso USA, The Satsuma Co., Edmondson Farms, Freshway Produce, Gold Cup Fresh, Herndon Farms, L&M Farms, Mack Farms, Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Company, Nickey Gregory Company, SERC, Patrick Farms, Pro Citrus Network, Inc., Shuman Farms, Southern Specialties, Southern Valley, Sunripe Certified Brands, and John Greene Logistics Company. SoSA would also like to the SEPC Cares-SoSA committee who devoted endless hours to this event. David, Jose, Duke, Faye and Cagney - thank you for helping to make this event a success by securing so many donations!
The four consolidation points - The Nickey Gregory Co., The Satsuma Co., Mack Farms, and Freshway Produce all took on the challenge of receiving and storing the donations ahead of the event.
SoSA would also like to thank the dedicated members of the SEPC Cares SoSA committee, who support SoSA year-round and share in the mission to end hunger. Thank you for helping to make the Crop Drop Destin a success!
THANK YOU to our SEPC members and volunteers for your continued generosity and compassion. Together, we’re helping ensure that every family has food on the table this Thanksgiving.
🦃 Giving Thanks & Giving Back in Millen! 🧡
The SEPC team traded our office desks for distribution lines yesterday, volunteering our time to help with the Thanksgiving food distribution in Millen, GA!
A HUGE, heartfelt thank you to our incredible partners at Nickey Gregory Company for providing 100 fresh produce boxes! 🍎🥦🥕 Your generosity ensures that families will have healthy, delicious fruits and veggies on their Thanksgiving tables.
It’s all about community, connection, and making a difference, especially during the holidays - Together We Grow Higher!
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.
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.
DETAILS
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 was provided beginning November 24, 2025. The application deadline is January 9, 2026 at 5pm EST.
Visit our website for more scholarship information!
Congratulations to Andy Baughn of Meijer for being the first to answer our November SEPC Fruit & Veggie Trivia Question correctly!
December Trivia Question
Be the first to answer correctly and win a $25 gift card!
In many cultures, this bright, easy-to-peel citrus fruit is a popular Christmas stocking stuffer, tracing its origin back to a tradition representing gold given by Saint Nicholas. What fruit is it?
Lemon
Grapefruit
Clementine / Mandarin Orange
Key Lime
Our office will be closed December 24th thru 28th in celebration of Christmas.
Contact Us!
242 North Masonic Street | Millen, GA 30442 | 877.720.SEPC (7372) | info@seproducecouncil.com