The Southeast Produce Council held an event in Charlotte North Carolina over the weekend. Tell us about it, Commissioner.

The Southeast Produce Council holds an annual fall trade show and conference called Southern Innovations that focuses on new products, new packaging, new displays, new technology, new science and more.

A group from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and Certified South Carolina was there to show what SC has to offer and to see what’s out there.

Some valued SC producers were exhibiting as well:

• WP Rawl, one of the nation’s key producers of leafy greens
• Melon1, the largest watermelon grower, packer and shipper in the US
• Luray Peanuts, which makes a refrigerated boiled peanut product and co-exhibited with Certified SC

Other SC businesses attending included:

• Senn Brothers
• A&A Produce
• Titan Farms

Trade shows are an important part of the produce world, which relies on relationships, trust and dependability.

The trade show is the main event, but there was a full schedule of speakers, sessions and learning and networking opportunities.

The event was NASCAR-themed, so in addition to produce industry speakers, attendees got to hear from 3-time NASCAR Premier Series Champion Darrell Waltrip and sportscaster Shannon Spake.

Something very meaningful to SCDA folks is the Martin Eubanks Sporting Clays Classic, which honors my late friend Martin, who did so much for the produce industry.

We’re always looking to help producers scale up and meet the challenges of the high-powered produce world, and trade shows are a key part of that effort.

I’m grateful for our relationships with SEPC.