Southeast Produce Council

🌺ALOHA!🌺 We are thrilled to invite you to #SEPCSouthernExposure, 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. 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! REGISTER NOW - https://lnkd.in/eqHqYPf #TogetherWeGrowHigher #Networking #Innovating #Connecting #Educating #ProduceIndustry https://lnkd.in/ePGWyEn4

This week's Gold Sponsor Spotlight features Pure Flavor® Farms, the next generation of vegetable growers, inspired to put quality, flavor, and customers first by providing greenhouse-grown vegetables from their farms that are located throughout North America. Visit https://lnkd.in/ec6WZ69 to learn more! #TogetherWeGrowHigher #ProduceFamily #ProduceAssociation #ProduceIndustry #PureFlavor #GreenhouseGrown #freshproduce #farming #agriculture #produce #growers #packers #shippers

Happy Hanukkah to our SEPC Family! 🕎

🎄Merry Christmas To Our SEPC Family🎄

On behalf of #SEPCCares, the Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children committee members want to extend our deepest gratitude for everyone’s incredible participation for APHC's Holiday Party, for those who were part of our event team and all the generous contributions we received (toys/prizes for kids, fresh produce, and booth supplies), to share with over 400 APHC children and families. Below are some great photos of the event. The kids really had a fun time (we did too)…and yes, that IS corn with the corn hole game. 😉 For all the contributions, thanks again for the generosity. We couldn’t have done this without you. A BIG Shout-Out to The Fruitist for the berries, Nickey Gregory Company for the apples, and Kelly Stainner with Society of St. Andrew - Florida for organizing the logistics. We fed a LOT of families! APHC HOLIDAY PARTY SIZZLE REEL - https://lnkd.in/eYHJruxj #TogetherWeGrowHigher #Networking #Innovating #Connecting #Educating

#TogetherWeGrowHigher #SEPCCares

SEPC Introduces Sustainability Essentials: Part 4 with Michael Tipton of Schnucks Join SEPC for a live, interactive, 90-minute virtual training session hosted by Measure to Improve, the fresh produce industry’s go-to sustainability experts. This session will guide you through foundational sustainability concepts and practical steps to help your organization start or enhance its sustainability efforts. Training Session Details: 🗓 Date: January 15, 2025 ⏰ Time: 2:00-3:30 PM ET / 11:00-12:30 PM PT 📍 Format: Live, virtual session Sign up now to start enhancing your sustainability efforts with SEPC and Measure to Improve: https://lnkd.in/e8gnueUz #TogetherWeGrowHigher #Networking #Innovating #Connecting #Educating #ProduceIndustry #ProduceFamily https://lnkd.in/e3gGc4YG

We help the produce industry connect, grow, and thrive. How can we help you? Together We Grow Higher! Learn the benefits of SEPC Membership at https://lnkd.in/g22nhabn #TogetherWeGrowHigher #Networking #Innovating #Connecting #Educating #produceindustry #farming #agriculture #sustainability #technology #foodsafety #leadership #freshproduce #grower #shipper #retail #foodservice

In its signature What’s New? 2024 research, Southeast Produce Council looked at the importance of driving trial among consumers in relation to sales. Two big conclusions emerged. First, few consumers are happy with the same old, same old, with 54% occasionally or frequently exploring #fruits and #vegetables that they have not had before. Consumers who enjoy fresh produce daily are far more likely to explore beyond their routine favorites. Second, in a hypothetical scenario in which shoppers could pick from 3 free samples, 54% would pick conventional grapes. A little more than one-third would pick newer varieties, such as cotton candy, and a mere 10% would pick the TikTok viral trend of candy-coated, frozen grapes. This much aligns with the bulk of sales being derived by the big varieties in each category, whether #potatoes or #grapes, whereas innovation can deliver new consumers or added trips to deliver additional growth. Also look at the breakdown between generations: Gen Z (and Millennials) are far more adventurous as it relates to innovation … a license to have some new item fun. A couple of thoughts on lowering trial barriers to drive consumer engagement and sales growth: -  Test new items as limited time offers -  Provide flavor and texture descriptions, even comparing it to a fruit or vegetable they may be familiar with -  Better yet, conduct in-store sampling with sampling vending machines providing the latest work-around -  “Our favorite” or recommendations by fellow shoppers provides the social proofing that can drive trial among the hesitant, much like the reviews on Amazon -  Consider smaller quantities, such as halved or cut fruit, for a lower price point -  Provide recipe ideas Happy innovating! #WhatsNewWednesday #TogetherWeGrowHigher #SEPCSouthernInnovations #Networking #Innovating #Connecting #Educating #grower #shipper #retail #foodservice #shoppingtrends #consumerengagement #salesgrowth #freshproduce #ProduceIndustry #ProduceFamily Anne-Marie Roerink, 210 Analytics, LLC, Kristin Yerecic Scott, Craig Fields, Harold Paivarinta, 💧 Patrick Kelly 🍊 "Lil Citrus", Hilary Martin Long, Matthew Aronson, Jon Shriver, Leona Neill, Zanelle Hough, Leah Patterson

This week's Gold Sponsor Spotlight features ProHealth®, who is dedicated to delivering the highest quality, best tasting and cleanest produce - all backed by the ProHealth Guaranteed™ program. Their innovative process of farming techniques, including their meticulous Pure Wash System™, brings you a ProHealth Guaranteed product that has been thoroughly examined for the best overall quality and guaranteed satisfaction. Visit https://lnkd.in/gjfz5X5p to learn more! #TogetherWeGrowHigher #ProduceFamily #ProduceAssociation #ProduceIndustry #freshproduce #farming #agriculture #produce #growers #packers #shippers