Tim Graas News Today

SEPC announces Southern Innovations speaker lineup

SEPC 2nd annual Fresh Chefs Scholarship open for applications

The fresh produce industry will be beaming up to Orlando, FL, the first weekend in March to attend Southern Exposure, the Southeast Produce Council’s annual conference and trade show.

The Southeast Produce Council announced the inaugural class of the Next Generation Leadership Academy, a unique leadership development program designed for up-and-coming leaders.

Due to the overwhelming need for disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Ian, the Southeast Produce Council made a $10,000 donation to Samaritan’s Purse, which has three disaster relief units in Florida — Fort Myers, Englewood and Punta Gorda.

The Southeast Produce Council has officially appointed Tim Graas of Associated Wholesale Grocers as its new board of directors chairman for 2022-23. The induction of the council’s chairman was made Sept. 23 during the Chairman’s Dinner Dance held at SEPC’s recent Southern Innovations conference in Nashville, TN.

NASHVILLE, TN — The crowds were out at Southern Innovations 2022. People were seeing new products, they were hearing about new ideas, they were making new contacts, they were reconnecting with old friends — and they were enjoying every minute. As one participant put it, "It's a great opportunity to come and see what's new. I think every booth [has] something of a little different twist," whether it's a new flavor or new packaging. "That's why it's call...

The Southeast Produce Council held its annual summer board meeting Aug. 9-11 at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Asheville, NC. Attendees enjoyed a tour of the famous Biltmore Estate to commemorate the occasion prior to their series of meetings. The SEPC board of directors, board of governors and staff discussed several strategic goals and tactics during the two-day event, including final preparations for the upcoming Southern Innovations conference scheduled to take place Sept. 22-24 in Nashville, T...

SEPC’s produce inspection training returns to Virtual Garden

SEPC in full support of PMA and United Fresh merger Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) Executive Committee convened in early May and expressed full support of the recent merger between Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and United Fresh Produce Association (United Fresh) who will consolidate to create a new global trade association. Since its inception in 1999, SEPC’s mission has remained steadfast in promoting the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, specifically in the 10 Southeas...