The South Carolina Department of Agriculture and the Eastern Produce Council hosted a night at the driving range at Top Golf in Edison, NJ, on April 27. The event marked the 50th year of the SCDA and EPC relationship. Prior to tee off, Hugh Weathers, the SCDA commissioner, promoted its Grown in SC branding and the crops the state offers, which include peaches, watermelon and specialty crops. Weathers also paid tribute to Martin Eubanks, former 33-year veteran of the SCDA who died suddenly last year. In honor of Eubanks, the South Carolina Governor’s School for Agriculture at John de la Howe

Bashas’ Family of Stores operates Food City, AJ’s Fine Foods, Eddie’s Country Store, and both Bashas’ and Bashas’ Diné supermarkets. Under the supervision of Director of Produce Gabe Flores, who oversees the produce buyers and the produce merchandising, Bashas' various produce departments have served its customers proudly and bravely, even during the darkest, most dangerous times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sightings Salutes: Bashas’ Family of Stores is sponsored by Vision Import Group.

It was business as usual at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure 2021 trade show — which was a wonderful thing and exactly what the industry needed. Show-goers and exhibitors alike deemed Southern Exposure at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort in Orlando, FL, an unmitigated success — both professionally and socially.

It was smiles all around at the opening party of the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure Expo. After a day of educational sessions, produce industry members from around the country happily gathered to share a drink and story or two in an evening filled with music, dancing and entertainment at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort in Orlando, FL, on April 7.

ORLANDO, FL — The Southeast Produce Council held its annual VIP dinner Monday evening, April 5, at the Swan & Dolphin Resort's Lake Terrace, just prior to the opening of the 2021 Southern Exposure conference and trade show, taking place here April 6-8. The conference has planned a full schedule of events, both virtual and in person, including the annual Tom Page Golf Classic (named for Tom Page, one of the founders of the council), the STARS & STEP-UPP dinner, two educational workshops, the Southern Roots luncheon for women in produce, the opening gala, the keynote luncheon and the expo.

Last year brought about a new March madness, and since then we've seen a full year of the changing seasons: football season, hockey season, basketball season, baseball — well, you get it. This month we're celebrating our passion for the teams that make these seasons so meaningful. In our latest installment of Face to Face with the Produce Industry show us your colors by donning a hat or sweatshirt supporting your alma mater or favorite sports team. Keep an eye out for your industry friends and colleagues — and have a little fun in the process. Submit your photo, name and company name to