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!
JANUARY 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!
🎶 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 buyer-focused tradeshow and conference, specially crafted for all y’all workin’ in both the conventional and organic sides of the industry.
🪕 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!
EXHIBITOR TOOLKIT
Through our valued partnership with AGS Expo Services, the exhibitor toolkit information is now available! Your Welcome to Online Ordering email from eventservices@ags-expo.com will provide access to your online hub and exhibitor kit. This has been emailed to the primary exhibitor contact.
You can also view kit information within the Exhibitor Information section of our website.
CONTESTS & PRIZES!
Compete in our Southern Exposure: From Fields To Families costume and booth decorating contests! We invite all attendees to participate for a chance to win CASH!
COSTUME CONTEST
Join our Opening Gala on Friday night in Hee Haw-themed, family-friendly attire to compete in our costume contest for a chance to win one of these AMEX gift cards:
1st place: $200
2nd place: $150
3rd place: $100
Best Group: $300
BOOTH DECORATING CONTEST
Have a booth idea embracing our theme – From Fields To Families? Decorate your Hee Haw-inspired booth on Saturday at the expo for our booth decorating contest! Three of the best decorated booths will receive a prize of one of the following AMEX gift cards:
1st place: $1,000
2nd place: $500
3rd place: $250
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!
Our STARS (Southeast Top Agricultural Recruits Scholarship) program is available to outstanding students majoring in agriculture at Southeast-based land grant universities. Our goal is to recruit top students for job opportunities in the Southeast produce industry.
Ideal candidates are rising seniors in undergraduate majors related to the growing and marketing of produce and related products who also hold a minimum 3.2 GPA or higher. Additionally, it is preferred that students have demonstrated an interest in growing and/or marketing of produce. Scholarship recipients will be expected to attend the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure conference & expo. The Southeast Produce Council will cover hotel and travel expenses to this event. 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.
Meet SEPC’s STARS Class of 2026
Click the link below to catch our STARS! We are excited to have each of these students attend Southern Exposure this year to introduce them to our members. Check out their bios and resumes on our website:
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 January is Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children where children’s health and well-being are at the heart of what they do every day.
For more than 30 years, families have been able to find an environment where healing and hope are inspired by the fearless spirits of the kids they treat; where you’ll enjoy the most advanced technology, Central Florida’s only pediatric Level One Trauma Center and ED, and compassionate doctors, nurses, and staff who have your child’s health as their top priority.
We are honored to partner with them to help coordinate programs and events for children with life-threatening illnesses.
2025 HOLIDAY PARTY
The #SEPCCares Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children committee hosted the 'Produce Express' 🚂 on Dec. 5th at APHC's annual Holiday Party 🎉 at the Howard-Phillips Center for Families in Orlando, FL. Over 700lbs ⚖️ of fruit 🍎🍌 and produce-themed goodies were donated by committee members and given to nearly 500 children and families attending the event. Special THANKS 🙏 to everyone for generous donations and a very successful and FUN event! 💚
Donations were provided by: The Fruitist🫐, Pro Citrus Network 🍊, Farm Direct Supply🫛, Fresh Express 🥗, The Watermelon Promotion Board 🍉, Sierra Produce ⛰️, Sugar Foods🥖 & Todd's Tomatoes 🍅 (who saved the day when the truck with fruit didn't show! 🦸♂️)
Produce Express Team:
Kimberly Flores, Pro Citrus Network
Megan McKenna, National Watermelon Promotion Board
Sarah Bodnar, Fresh Express
Tara Saldana, Sugar Foods
John Carapella Jr, Sierra Produce
Kelly Stainner, Society of St. Andrew - Florida
Nina Viola Poncy, Farm Direct Supply
Dirk Miller, Todd's Tomatoes
Brandon DeForest, Todd's Tomatoes
Special thanks to co-chair Megan McKenna for all the hard work organizing an amazing event! ✨
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.
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.
SEPC Now Accepting Applications for Next Generation Leadership Academy Class Four
The Southeast Produce Council is excited to embark on the fourth year of the SEPC Next Generation Leadership Academy (NGLA). Designed specifically for the next generation of produce-industry leaders, this immersive year-long program blends conscious-leadership methodologies with practical skill-building.
Participants sharpen their leadership competencies, expand their capacity to navigate complexity, and cultivate a growth-oriented mindset essential for the evolving demands of our industry. With a tailored mix of in-person gatherings and virtual learning, the Academy delivers timely, relevant development that prepares each participant for the leadership roles ahead. The program encompasses the buy side and the sell side of the industry.
“The success of our first three classes has exceeded every expectation. We’ve seen leaders deepen their self-awareness, strengthen their confidence, and cultivate lasting connections that elevate the entire produce supply chain. NGLA has proven its value as a transformative experience for emerging leaders. As we open nominations for Class 4, now is the time to empower the next wave of talent to step forward.” – SEPC Past Chairman Raina Nelson of Westfalia Fruit USA
“Participating in the SEPC Next Generation Leadership Academy challenged me to grow both personally and professionally and strengthened the way I show up as a leader. It broadened my understanding of our industry and connected me with a trusted group of peers I can lean on, learn from, and grow with — that kind of support stays with you.” – Courtney Carlton, Sunkist Growers
“Programs like NGLA strengthen the future of our industry by developing leaders who understand both the responsibility and the opportunity of feeding people. Graduates return with a broader perspective and a commitment to leading with purpose — that benefits their organizations and the produce community as a whole.” – Christian Harris, Sunkist Growers
“Participating in SEPC’s Next Generation Leadership Academy was truly transformative. Over the course of the year-long program, I had the privilege of learning alongside 12 incredible produce professionals from across the industry. Together, we built lifelong connections that continue to support me both personally and professionally. The program helped me better understand my leadership style, identify areas for growth, and gave me the confidence to step forward as a young leader. SEPC's leaders have become like family to me, and their support has extended well beyond graduation. I strongly recommend this program to the next generation of leaders—come ready to be engaged, open, and excited to grow, because the experience will shape your career and future in ways you can’t imagine.” – Victoria Pacheco, Albertsons Companies
“I applaud the SEPC for investing in the future leaders with the NGLA program, establishing a clear path of growth for these amazing leaders in the Produce Industry.” – Shawn Perry, Albertsons Companies
Nominate the next class of leaders for the fourth class of the Next Generation Leadership Academy. Nominations are now open and will close for this class on January 12th at 5:00 pm EST.
Applicants should have organizational level support to participate. The incoming class will be announced during the Keynote Brunch at Southern Exposure 2026 and will graduate at Southern Exposure 2027.
Applicant Eligibility Requirements:
- Emerging leader in produce, mid-level manager or above
- Employed in the produce industry for at least 4 years
- Member in “Good Standing” of the SEPC*
- Must possess a vision for leadership, a strong drive for industry contribution, and a compelling 2-minute video as to why they believe they would be a good candidate
*To be in “Good Standing”, a member must actively participate in the SEPC by their attendance, contributions, or both and must be included in SEPC’s membership roll.
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 Mike Ramkey of Performance Food Service for being the first to answer our December SEPC Fruit & Veggie Trivia Question correctly!
January Trivia Question
Be the first to answer correctly and win a $25 gift card!
Which small, round fruit is traditionally eaten at the stroke of midnight in Spain and several Latin American countries to bring good luck for the next 12 months, with 12 being consumed for the 12 chimes of the clock?
Cherry Tomatoes
Grapes
Green Olives
Blueberries
Our office will be closed on Thursday, January 1st, in observance of New Year’s Day.
Contact Us!
242 North Masonic Street | Millen, GA 30442 | 877.720.SEPC (7372) | info@seproducecouncil.com