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.
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 Nashville for Southern Innovations!
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!
STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS REGARDING THE INNOVATIVE EVOLUTION OF OUR NEXT GENERATION AWARD! INFORMATION WILL BE SENT THROUGH MEMBER EMAIL.
We are now taking applications for our 2023 STEP-UPP Class!
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. Twelve (12) individuals are selected through an application and interview process based on leadership experience and interest in developing a career in fresh produce. Potential candidates must be active members of SEPC.
Community Updates
Our featured charitable partner for June 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.
We have been strong supporters of Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children for over seven years. Not only have our members volunteered time and provided in-kind donations, but SEPC has generously donated over $225,000. These funds have supported patients and families at the Haley Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. We’ve also contributed to their Healthy Lifestyles Program, helping families achieve their health and wellness goals, and aided the expansion of their Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, helping them to continue to care for premature newborns and the complex medical conditions they often face.
“Our young men had the opportunity to visit Shuman Farms and experience their first Vidalia Onion Harvest. This field trip completed their Agricultural class from the fall. We are so grateful to Shuman Farms and SEPC for their dedication and devotion to helping raise up solid young men.” ~ Victoria Shuman, Advancement Officer, Paul Anderson Youth Home
“A special thank you to John Cameron with Nature Sweet Tomatoes and Hill on Wheels Bike Shop for providing safety training for our 2022 Bike Ride. He took time to make sure our young men were fitted properly for their helmets and bikes.” ~ Victoria Shuman, Advancement Officer, Paul Anderson Youth Home
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 is proud to have awarded 59 scholarships ($59,000) in 2022 thanks to the dedication of our members.
our 2022 SEPC Member Scholarship recipients
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 wAS 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.
Congratulations to Bob Filiano of McAneny Brothers, Inc. for being the first to answer our May SEPC Fruit & Veggie Trivia Question correctly!
JuneTrivia Question
BE THE FIRST TO ANSWER CORRECTLY AND WIN A $25 GIFT CARD!
Down here in the South, I am known as a butter bean, due to my creamy yellow color. I originally come from Peru. It is highly recommended that I be cooked before eating due to the amount of cyanogenic glycosides that I contain. Which bean am I more commonly known as?
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