GLENNVILLE, GA - Come March 2–4, industry members will be flocking to Orlando, Florida, for the 2023 Southern Exposure: Produce – The Final Frontier. The event, put on by the Southeast Produce Council (SEPC), will be the host to G&R Farms, who is bringing some new announcements to the show floor. I recently got in touch with Steven Shuman, General Manager and Vice President of Sales, to hear what’s in store.
“We are excited to share a few new things that will help us introduce and kick off our Vidalia® season. We don’t want to give it all away here, but I can tell you we have new packaging and a new promotion that further highlight Vidalia onions,” Steven shared. “Also, Cliff Riner, our VP of Ag Production and Grower Relations, will be in the booth talking about our extensive variety and production trials and sharing details of our upcoming Vidalia Field Tours.”
At the show, G&R will also be featuring its annual Growing America’s Farmers cause marketing campaign that has already helped raise $350,000 for FFA students across 17 states pursuing degrees in production agriculture.
“Our team hopes everyone who stops by the booth feels acknowledged, learns a little more about G&R Farms, gets excited about the Vidalia onion season, and walks away feeling like we’ve found a path to grow business that works for both of us,” Steven added. “Working in partnership is at the core of our mission, ‘Grown with Passion, Served with Pride.’”
Steven went on to note that the best part of every trade show, industry event, or customer visit is connecting with friends and peers. While it's great to get together and talk business, the produce industry family also loves to catch up on life and everything in between.
“Our first priority is to say hello to all of our customers, then make some new friends, renew some old acquaintances, and of course spread the word about what’s new at G&R Farms this season,” Steven told me. “We’re excited about a lot of things this year. I can give you a tease and say there’s a dream on the horizon that people are going to be excited to take part in, and they need to stop by the booth to see what it’s all about.”
A teaser like that will have me packing my bags and flying out to Florida early! On a more serious note, Steven shared why this show in particular is important for G&R to attend.
“Southern Exposure was the first regional trade show and it showed the industry what it was all about to come together, network, and have fun in a smaller venue where we can all connect. Today, Southern Exposure is just as powerful for doing business and making connections as it was on day one, and we’re proud to be an SEPC member and long-time exhibitor at Southern Exposure,” he said.
As our conversation wrapped up, Steven wanted to highlight that March is a busy month for G&R as the Vidalia crop shapes up, Peru begins to wind down, and the grower’s Vidalia promotion prepares to kick off.
“Plus, this year we can add bringing new packaging equipment online to the list. Our new packaging equipment is state-of-the-art and will further our pack-to-order availability and improve our pack times by 80 percent with improved quality and precision accuracy,” Steven concluded.
There is plenty more news that will not fit on this page, so you’ll just have to swing by the booth yourself.
