ORLANDO, FL – The Southeast Produce Council BB #:191194 2025 Southern Exposure Conference’s theme was “Produce Means Family,” and this meeting was unlike any other with its family feel, pre-meal prayers, and speakers talking about how family and faith helped them succeed in business and in life.
And within the March 6-9 conference was a six-hour expo filled with thousands of attendees visiting more than 300 booths.
Here are some expo items that stood out to me this year.
Gee Whiz LLC BB #:363320 displayed its proprietary Hunnyz apple variety, which is now in full production. Brian Traum, director of sales and marketing, said the grower-shipper expects to sell about 150,000 boxes this year and have about 250,000 boxes available next year, with plans for more than a million boxes by 2030. Hunnyz is a bicolor cross between CrimsonCrisp and Honeycrisp.?
L & M Companies, Inc. BB #:108839 displayed its new apple bags for all varieties. Ben Wells in sales said they’re designed for smaller apples and are in 3-pound sizes, perfect for families with children.
Local Bounti BB #:368695 debuted four new flavors to its grab-and-go salad line, which Matt Hubbard, director of sales, said will be available in April. He said the new salads do not contain protein, as some others in the line do.
Crunch Pak, LLC BB #:171819 displayed its mini-meal snack kits, two of which are timed for movies that come to theaters this spring. Sales manager Gary Zych said the company expects a nice boost from A Minecraft Movie in April and Lilo & Stitch in May.
Phillips Mushroom Farms BB #:103842 caught lots of attention for its Pink Oyster mushrooms. Larissa Rice, national sales manager, said the variety is gaining popularity as consumers get more adventurous in the mushroom category. She pointed out that the mushrooms stay pink through the cooking process.
Next year’s Southern Exposure is scheduled from February 26-March 1 back in Orlando.
