The Southeast Produce Council in conjunction with 210 Analytics released What’s New: The Consumer Take on Produce Innovation and Technology 2021 in one of two educational sessions at its fall show, Southern Innovations.

“Southern Innovations has always been focused on the latest and greatest in fresh produce retailing and foodservice,” said David Sherrod, president and CEO of SEPC. “This year, we wanted to highlight innovations throughout the supply chain from farm to menu through the eyes of the consumer. After all, it is the shopper who drives change in produce purchases and consumption

SAVANNAH, GA — The Southeast Produce Council kicked off Southern Innovations 2021 with the STEP-UPP and board of directors dinner Wednesday evening, Sept. 8, at Vic's on the River, here. Rania Nelson of Westfalia Fruit, who is the incoming chairman of the SEPC board of directors, recognized the graduating members of the STEP-UPP class of 2020.

The dinner was held one day prior to the official opening of Southern Innovations, taking place Sept. 9-11.

Nature Fresh Farms has confirmed the expansion of its Ohio operations increasing its organic acreage as well as a plans to build a new distribution center.

The property expansion will include doubling the greenhouse acreage from the current 45 acres to 90, with the future extension to be dedicated to year-round organics. This new greenhouse allows the company to expand organics program using state-of-the-art tech to grow tomatoes and peppers throughout the year. Over recent years organics have grown from a food trend to a foundational expectation for food brands in the fresh produce industry

Crunch Time Apple Growers is owned by 150 growers throughout New York state who are united with one mission —  introduce new, flavorful apple varieties to the marketplace, specifically SnapDragon and RubyFrost.

“Our growers are dedicated to responsibly producing apples that our customers love,“ said Jessica Wells, executive director for the Lockport, NY-based company. “As acreage increases, so does production, which means the opportunity to expand our geographic footprint is greater, both with existing retailers and with new retailers.”

Wells was recently promoted to her executive director

Though they had a lot of cards stacked against them during the past 18 months because of the coronavirus, the California date industry reports a pretty good year and a strong indication that the 2021-22 season will be even better.

You would be hard pressed to find an agricultural crop with more inherent challenges when operating under the pandemic conditions that it has faced since March of 2020 than dates — both fresh and processed. California primarily produces the Medjool date, which is mostly sold as a fresh offering in retail produce departments, and the Deglet Nour, which is touted for

Publix Super Markets announced the promotion of John Goff to senior vice president of retail operations, effective Jan. 1, 2022. With Goff’s promotion, Regional Director Matt Crawley will be named Miami division vice president.

Goff began his career in 1991 as a front service clerk in Jacksonville, FL. He worked in various positions before being promoted to store manager in 2005. He was promoted to Jacksonville division district manager in 2010, Miami division regional director in 2014 and Miami division vice president in 2019.

Goff and his wife, Kristy, will be relocating their family to