As the Southeast Produce Council continues with preparations for Southern Exposure to be held April 6–8 in Orlando, FL, the SEPC team is working diligently to ensure the health and safety of attendees, exhibitors, and staff; and they have partnered with some outstanding organizations who are experts in facilitating recommended safety protocol.

Wada Farms Marketing Group, headquartered in Idaho Falls, ID, is a major supplier of potatoes from both Idaho and Colorado. In its Colorado operation, the company appears well positioned to meet customers’ anticipated needs for Colorado potatoes through the beginning of the 2021 harvest.

“We have a good supply,” said Michele Peterson, head of the Colorado sales office in Monte Vista for Wada Farms. “We estimate it is going to take us through to the beginning of the new crop with good quality and good size profile.”

The new year is often a time for resolutions, many of which include eating healthier, getting more active and physically fit, and improving mental wellbeing. So, when the Viva Fresh Expo announced its second annual Clean Eating Challenge back in October, it was the perfect catapult to a healthier year for eager participants.

T&G’s innovative Jazz apple campaigns are making the brand a top-10 category performer in North America, while delighting consumers with healthy snacks and meals. The apple’s latest Nielsen update highlights year-over-year dollars at a 15 percent increase and year-over-year pounds at increasing 8 percent.

Angie Hanson, Oppy and T&G North America national brand activation manager, said this strong growth has been driven by innovative campaigns, like its latest Super Bowl/Game Day partnership with top chef Joel Gamoran.

The pandemic experience has fundamentally changed the way consumers feel, behave and live. New norms such as working from home, grocery shopping online and wearing a mask when in public, if you dare to venture out, may be here to stay. As we accept these shifts in our day-to-day living, produce brands also must accept the shifts and prepare to redefine their relationship with consumers.