MILLEN, GA - The more informed you are, the easier it becomes to make decisions that successfully contribute to the growth of your business. Aiming to inform its fellow industry members, the Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) is joining forces with FMI—The Food Industry Association to unveil the 2021 edition of the Power of Produce at Southern Exposure on April 7.
“We are excited to once again debut the Power of Produce to the industry during Southern Exposure,” SEPC President and CEO David Sherrod shared. “This year’s study will provide unique insights into produce purchases throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, how the people of the produce industry shone, and how we can improve as an industry moving forward.”
With more Americans cooking more meals at home than ever before, the industry can embrace unique engagement opportunities for the produce department as a shopper solution, according to a press release. At the Southern Exposure education session, three retail and foodservice industry leaders will add real-life market insights to the study findings with the help of moderator FMI Vice President of Fresh Foods, Rick Stein. Panelists for the session include Gary Baker, Produce Director at Merchants Distributors; Price Mabry, Director of Produce and Floral at HAC; and Mike Roberts, Director of Produce Operations at Harps Food Stores.
“Today’s produce shopper has a lot on their mind—from health and well-being to addressing cooking fatigue,” said Stein. “Food retailers and suppliers have an opportunity to support shoppers in their health and well-being goals and offering culinary experiences around produce. At the same time, we see an increase in online produce sales, which opens a whole new way to meet shopper’s produce needs. It’s an exciting time for the produce industry, and I’m looking forward to diving into the Power of Produce findings at Southern Exposure.”
As regulations surrounding COVID-19 have changed, the Power of Produce education session will be in a room double the traditional session size, with seating socially distanced. Personal protective equipment and sanitation stations will be provided on-site as well as temperature screening at the session entrance. For more of the precautions SEPC will be taking at Southern Exposure, click here.
The Power of Produce is research developed by FMI, conducted by 210 Analytics, and supported by data from IRI. This research, revealed annually during Southern Exposure, is made possible by the sponsorship of the Southeast Produce Council, Burris Logistics, and Yerecic Label.
Industry professionals and press can register for the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure here. Keep clicking back to ANUK as we bring you the industry’s latest updates.
