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The Council Connection May 2022

NETWORKING

Registration is now open for Southern Innovations 2022 which will be held September 22nd through September 25th at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Discover “What’s New?” during our annual tradeshow and conference focused on highlighting the latest innovations within the fresh produce industry, from organics and new product developments to technology and unique brand approaches.

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 will have ample time to make new contacts and visit with old friends and colleagues.

Limited Exhibit Space Available!

Southern Innovations Digital Toolkit Now Accessible!

The SEPC is pleased to provide you with our newest digital toolkit. We hope you will take advantage of these digital tools available for you as you prepare to join us in Savannah for Southern Innovations!

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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 Innovations to participating Retail/Foodservice members who facilitate the program with invited Growers and Shippers.

LINKS Reservation Options for SEPC Retail/Foodservice members*

LINKS Meeting Description Options

  • LINKS Meeting(s) with Grower/Shipper Companies
  • Internal Company Meeting

A La Carte Menu

  • A/V options (Projector/Screen & PA System)
  • Food & Beverage Service (at reserving company's expense)

*LINKS Meeting Reservations must be submitted/approved through SEPC by August 8th to ensure we have ample time to accommodate your meeting setup needs.

Cultivating Ideas – Growing Relationships – Producing Results

Each year, the SEPC strives to curate an impactful series of industry programs and networking events for our members. The SEPC Virtual Garden is our newest platform through which we will continue to keep members abreast of the latest developments in produce—whether those are happening in the soil, in the cloud, or anywhere in between.

Through the SEPC Virtual Garden, we have begun planting the seeds from our founding pillars – Networking, Innovation, Community, and Education – so that our members will reap the benefits of harvesting quality experiences guaranteed to increase the value of their membership.

In case you missed them, several sessions are already available on demand!

The key to the success of our SEPC Virtual Garden is the community who tends it, and we are eager to serve alongside our SEPC family to see what we can grow together!

INNOVATION

SEPC Fresh Chefs

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.

COMMUNITY

Community Updates

Our featured charitable partner for May is Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

The Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life Superhero Sprint tradition returns to Piedmont Park in Atlanta, GA. Join us for a 5K and 1-mile 'fun run' event on Saturday, June 4, 2022. 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 SEPC2022 (uppercase) 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 Duke Lane (duke@genuinega.com) or Blair Greenhill (blair@nickeygregory.com) to make donation arrangements.

We’re thankful for the generous support and hope that you all are able to join us! Please contact Southeast Produce Council at info@seproducecouncil.com or 877-720-SEPC (7372) if you have any questions.

EDUCATION

SEPC’s upcoming Produce Inspection Training courses will be held within the SEPC Virtual Garden. The spring course will take place May 11, 2022. In order to receive your certificate of completion, you must complete both the spring and fall courses. Registration is complimentary for SEPC members.

The deadline to register was Monday, April 29, 2022.

Mr. Paul Manol of International Produce Training will conduct the training for the spring session. This course is intended for quality control personnel, produce buyers, produce inventory control personnel, and other company associates involved in the receiving, handling, buying and shipping of fresh produce to learn more about the supplier side of the business.

Scholarship Details

Recipients of the SEPC Member Scholarship will each receive a scholarship of $1,000 towards their educational goals for the upcoming school year. The SEPC awarded 53 scholarships ($53,000) in 2021 thanks to the dedication of our members.

The application deadline for the 2022 SEPC Member Scholarship was April 29, 2022 at 5pm EST. Recipients will be announced May 20, 2022.

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 will be provided beginning May 16, 2022. The application deadline is July 1, 2022 at 5pm EST.

2022-2023 SEPC Annual Membership

Join the SEPC Today and Thrive

As an SEPC member, you’ll join a diverse group of like-minded produce professionals, from farmers to distributors and retailers to chefs. It’s about growing your knowledge, sharpening your skills, sharing your passion with others, and enjoying what makes this corner of the country extra special: its long tradition of bringing people together through food that is grown, distributed, and cooked with love.

Please review the membership information on our website and select which annual membership* best suits your company's needs.

Membership Registration for 2022-2023 is now open!

*Please note that our annual membership period runs June through May of the following year. We do not prorate our membership fees.

**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.

Interested in becoming an SEPC Sponsor?

We thank you for your support and look forward to boosting your business in return.

Check out this month’s Sponsor Spotlights on our social media platforms to learn more about each of our SEPC Level Sponsors!

THANK YOU SPONSORS!

Congratulations to Sarah Krzysol of Nature Fresh Farms for being the first to answer our April SEPC Fruit & Veggie Trivia Question correctly!

May Trivia Question

BE THE FIRST TO ANSWER CORRECTLY AND WIN A $25 GIFT CARD!

This month’s trivia question is inspired by the approaching graduation season for so many. Can you complete this quote by American author and humorist Mark Twain?

“A __________ is nothing but a cabbage with a college education.”

Contact us

Please note that our mailing address has changed! See our new mailing address below in the contact information.

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