The More You Learn, The More You Grow
We’ve put together a variety of educational programs and scholarships to help advance your career and nurture the next generation of produce luminaries. Whether you’re brushing up on the fundamentals or keeping up with the latest innovations in the industry, your SEPC membership offers plenty of opportunity to enrich your knowledge.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Short for “Learning, Interacting and Networking with Key players in the Supply chain,” LINKS is an educational leadership program where exceptional Southeastern growers and shippers can connect with Retail/Foodservice providers in the region in a non-competitive environment. By enhancing each side’s understanding of the retail supply chain, we can facilitate our mutual goals to better service consumers and drive Southeastern produce consumption. The SEPC will provide a meeting space at Southern Exposure to participating Retail/Foodservice members who facilitate the program with invited Growers and Shippers.
LINKS Reservation Options for SEPC Retail/Foodservice members*
- LINKS Meeting Platform Options
- Onsite LINKS Meeting
- Virtual LINKS Meeting within the SEPC Virtual Garden (available upon request)
- LINKS Meeting Description Options
- LINKS Meeting(s) with Grower/Shipper Companies
- Internal Company Meeting
- A La Carte Menu
- A/V options
- Projector/Screen
- PA System
- Food & Beverage Service (at reserving company's expense)
- A/V options
REQUEST LINKS MEETING @ SOUTHERN EXPOSURE 2025
*LINKS Meeting Reservations must be submitted/approved through SEPC. If you would like to request a LINKS meeting within the SEPC Virtual Garden, outside of Southern Exposure, contact Anna Burch ([email protected]).
A course intended for quality control personnel, produce buyers, produce inventory control personnel, and other company associates involved in the receiving, handling, buying, and shipping of fresh produce. Mr. Paul Manol of International Produce Training will conduct the training sessions for the course.
“I would like to thank the SEPC for organizing the recent produce training seminar in Tampa. It was a very productive and informative experience and, even though I’ve been in the produce business for a long time, I still come away learning new ways to grade and execute quality checks.”
Keith Vigue, US Foods
Personalized Training Sessions
Southeast Produce Council and International Produce Training have partnered to offer onsite produce inspection training. This class is a personalized training at your facility for your associates. This will be a specialized training that will adapt to your company’s grade standards and go further into depth with grading and standard definitions. The classes can be tailored to a one-, two-, or three-day session depending on your preference.
- Pricing for SEPC Members*
- One-Day Session – $7,000.00
- Two-Day Session – $9,000.00
- Three-Day Session – $10,750.00
*Pricing includes hotel/airfare/meals for trainer.
If interested please contact us at (877)720-SEPC or [email protected].
Curated annually and offered throughout the year (including at our Southern Exposure and Southern Innovations conferences), SEPC University offers a variety of sessions to keep members abreast of the latest trends in the produce industry. Scholarships are also provided to further the education of current and future produce professionals.
Southern Exposure 2024: Session Video
Southern Exposure 2023: Session Videos
Southern Innovations 2023: Session Video
Southern Exposure 2022: Session Videos
Southern Innovations 2022: Session Videos
Southern Exposure 2021: Session Videos
Southern Innovations 2021: Session Videos
STEP-UPP gives Retail and Foodservice produce professionals a greater understanding of the industry through an emphasis on strategic orientation, personal leadership, and hands-on field experience. Individuals are selected through an application and interview process based on leadership experience and interest in developing a career in fresh produce. Potential candidates must be active members of SEPC.
PROGRAM GOALS
Strategic Orientation
This program will broaden the participants’ strategic view of the fresh produce industry through supply chain overviews, collaborative business planning, category development, and key performance indicator discussions.
Personal Leadership & Networking
This program focuses on personal development and relationship building. The program may include leadership styles, managing for performance, and negotiation strategy. Each program segment will also include opportunities to meet and network with other SEPC industry members.
Field Experience
Here we put theory to the test by taking participants into the field and on plant tours to gain hands-on experience in how to partner with growers more effectively. A short course in produce inspection will also be included.
APPLICATION PERIOD: APRIL - JULY
STEP-UPP CLASS TESTIMONIALS
“STEP-UPP Class of 2020-2021 here. This experience has been amazing! Not only did I get firsthand exposure to the produce industry from growers, retailers, and merchants; I also built lasting relationships with my fellow classmates as well as our leaders/mentors Gary Baker, Faye Westfall, and Mike Roberts! The education, fellowship, networking, faith, and family I have received from being a part of SEPC and the STEP-UPP program has been exceptionally memorable. Because I wanted to continue to be a part of such a great organization, I became a mentor and part of the Committee for STEP-UPP to further support and gain knowledge of the produce world with SEPC.”
~ Kari Cordero, MDI, STEP-UPP Class of 2020
“At Food Lion we believe the development of our associates is key to our success. We have found that SEPC and the STEP-UPP educational program is a great opportunity in helping us do so. Each year we identify and nominate a team member that would benefit from the STEP-UPP program that focuses on broadening the participants' knowledge of the produce industry along with providing personal leadership development and hands-on field experience. We are certainly grateful for SEPC and the STEP-UPP program in investing and partnering in the development of our future leaders.”
~ Chris Dove, Food Lion, VP of Produce Category & Merchandising
“It was an honor and an amazing experience being a part of the STEP-UPP class. Not only did we gain more knowledge and respect for the produce industry, but we also met amazing hardworking people along the way. We made many friendships among our class that continue to this day.”
~ Jessica Granier, Rouse's Markets, STEP-UPP Class of 2022
STEP-UPP RETAIL CLASS OF 2025
2025 STEP-UPP Retail Class Schedule
- Spring 2025
- Southern Exposure: Thursday, March 6th - Saturday, March 8th
- Meet & Greet, Educational Sessions, Expo w/ Team Building Experience
- Field Trip: Tuesday, April 8th - Friday, April 11th
- In-person trip TBD in the Southeast
- Virtual Education Day w/in SEPC Virtual Garden: Wednesday, May 7th
- Virtual half day of presenters from outside the Southeast as well as a keynote speaker; tentatively 9am-1pm EST
- Southern Exposure: Thursday, March 6th - Saturday, March 8th
- Summer 2025
- Field Trip: Tuesday, June 10th - Friday, June 13th
- In-person trip TBD in the Southeast
- Field Trip: Tuesday, June 10th - Friday, June 13th
- Fall 2025
- Southern Innovations 2025: Wednesday, September 9th - Saturday, September 12th
- Team Building Experience, Educational Sessions, Expo, Class Graduation Ceremony
- Southern Innovations 2025: Wednesday, September 9th - Saturday, September 12th
2024 STEP-UPP Team Building Activity
STEP-UPP gives Retail and Foodservice produce professionals a greater understanding of the industry through an emphasis on strategic orientation, personal leadership, and hands-on field experience. Individuals are selected through an application and interview process based on leadership experience and interest in developing a career in fresh produce. Potential candidates must be active members of SEPC.
PROGRAM GOALS
Strategic Orientation
This program will broaden the participants’ strategic view of the fresh produce industry through supply chain overviews, collaborative business planning, category development, and key performance indicator discussions.
Personal Leadership & Networking
This program focuses on personal development and relationship building. The program may include leadership styles, managing for performance, and negotiation strategy. Each program segment will also include opportunities to meet and network with other SEPC industry members.
Field Experience
Here we put theory to the test by taking participants into the field and on plant tours to gain hands-on experience in how to partner with growers more effectively. A short course in produce inspection will also be included.
2025 STEP-UPP Foodservice Program
Are you, or do you know, a foodservice professional looking to develop a greater understanding of the produce industry through strategic orientation, personal leadership, and hands-on field experience?
If so, we invite you to find out more and apply for our 2025 STEP-UPP (Southeast Training Education Program for Upcoming Produce Professionals) Foodservice program where you'll experience exceptional networking opportunities and learn the inner workings of the supplier side of the industry.
The 2025 class year officially starts in January 2025 and will provide a variety of experiences through both classroom experiences and on-the-ground field tours in the spring and summer. The year will culminate with graduation at Southern Innovations held September 11-13, 2025 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, TN.
APPLICATION PERIOD: APRIL - JULY
STEP-UPP FOODSERVICE CLASS OF 2025
2025 STEP-UPP Foodservice Class Schedule
- Spring 2025
- Southern Exposure: Thursday, March 6th - Saturday, March 8th
- Meet & Greet, Educational Sessions, Expo
- Southern Exposure: Thursday, March 6th - Saturday, March 8th
- Summer 2025
- Field Trip: Monday, May 12th - Thursday, May 15th
- In-person trip TBD in the Southeast
- Field Trip: Monday, May 12th - Thursday, May 15th
- Fall 2025
- Southern Innovations 2025: Wednesday, September 9th - Saturday, September 12th
- Team Building Experience, Educational Sessions, Expo, Class Graduation Ceremony
- Southern Innovations 2025: Wednesday, September 9th - Saturday, September 12th
2024 STEP-UPP Team Building Activity
Our STARS (Southeast Top Agricultural Recruits Scholarship) program is available to outstanding students majoring in agriculture at Southeast-based land grant universities. Our goal is to recruit top students for job opportunities in the Southeast produce industry.
Ideal candidates are rising seniors in undergraduate majors related to the growing and marketing of produce and related products who also hold a minimum 3.2 GPA or higher. Additionally, it is preferred that students have demonstrated an interest in growing and/or marketing of produce. Scholarship recipients will be expected to attend the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure conference & expo. The Southeast Produce Council will cover hotel and travel expenses to this event. The scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to meet with hundreds of produce industry grower/shipper members as well as the nation’s leading retailers and foodservice distributors.
STARS Class of 2024
Southern Exposure Networking Highlights
Future Generations Celebration Dinner
Mix and mingle with some of SEPC’s top produce professionals
STARS Breakfast
Join fellow STARS students for breakfast with an informative guest speaker from the industry
STARS Fresh Futures
Interview with SEPC member companies seeking fresh employees
Testimonials
“This past weekend at Southern Exposure was one of the highlights of my college career. It was really enjoyable to meet and connect with so many industry professionals.”
~ Maxwell Cavassa, Auburn University, STARS Class of 2020
“Being able to attend Southern Exposure 2019 definitely opened my eyes to the endless career opportunities in the industry sector, and the overall STARS experience has had a positive impact in my career as a food microbiologist.”
~ Erika Estrada, Virginia Tech, STARS Class of 2019
Participating Universities
Please get in touch with the respective contact at any of the below universities for more information on the STARS program.
Development Officer
College of Agriculture
Auburn University
100 Corner Hall
Auburn, AL 36849
(334) 844-3472
Senior Director of Development
College of Agriculture, Forestry & Life Sciences
Clemson University
101 Barre Hall
Clemson, SC 29634-0202
(864) 276-7245
Assistant Dean Recruitment & Student Development
College of Agriculture
Louisiana State University
146 Martin D. Woodin Hall
Baton Rouge, LA 70830
(225) 578-2266
Student Services Specialist
CALS Academic Programs Office
North Carolina State University
Campus Box 7642
111 Patterson Hall
Raleigh, NC 27695-7642
Director, Alumni and Career Services
University of Florida
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
2020 McCarty Hall D
PO Box 110270
Gainesville, FL 32611-0270
(352) 392-1963
Administrative Manager
UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences
University of Georgia
Office of Academic Affairs
102 Conner Hall
Athens, GA 30602
(706) 542-1611
Fiscal Administrator, Academic Programs
Virginia Tech
Office of Academic Programs
175 West Campus Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061
(540) 231-9671
Michael J.W. Maw, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Agronomy
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
ABAC 8
2802 Moore Hwy.
Tifton, GA 31793
(229) 391-5243
SEPC Fresh Chefs
Recipients of the SEPC Fresh Chefs Scholarship will each receive one (1) $1,500 scholarship toward their educational goals for the upcoming year. In addition to the scholarship funds, each recipient will also be expected to attend the SEPC’s Southern Innovations conference & expo. The SEPC will cover hotel and travel expenses to this event and will also provide an SEPC Fresh Chefs jacket for each recipient. The scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to meet with hundreds of produce industry grower/shipper members as well as the nation’s leading retailers and foodservice distributors.
Congratulations to our 2024 SEPC Fresh Chefs Scholarship Recipients!
Tairan Lockett Peter York
SEPC Fresh Chefs FAQs
Any full-time college or secondary education student (minimum 12 semester hours) pursuing a degree in culinary arts or restaurant management. The applicant should have completed their 1st year of school.
- Enrollment verification from College/University
- College/University Student ID Number, current major, & GPA
- College/University Address where the scholarship funds should be sent
- Video (2-minute maximum in length) introducing yourself and explaining the importance of using fresh produce in menus.
The SEPC Fresh Chefs scholarship application can only be submitted online through our link which will be provided beginning March 25th. The application deadline is May 24th at 5pm EST.
Members of the SEPC Foodservice Committee
SCHOLARSHIPS
SEPC Member Scholarship
Recipients of the SEPC Member Scholarship will each receive a scholarship of $1,500 toward their educational goals for the upcoming school year. The SEPC is proud to award 39 scholarships ($58,500) in 2024 thanks to the dedication of our members.
SEPC Member Scholarship FAQs
Applicant must be/have a parent or grandparent who is a corporate member in good standing as of May 1st of the current year [Member has been on the SEPC membership roster for at least 12 months and has personally attended at least one event (Southern Exposure and/or Southern Innovations) within the last 12 months]. Immediate family members may apply if the active member is part of a corporate membership. Members who have individual memberships are not eligible.
Each applicant must be enrolled as a full-time student (minimum 12 semester hours).
- College or high school transcript
- SEPC Member Name and Member #
- College/University Student ID #, current major and GPA (minimum 3.0 GPA required)
- College/University Address where the scholarship check will be sent
- SAT and/or ACT scores
- Enrollment verification from College/University
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
- Community Involvement
- 500-word minimum and 1000-word maximum essay
- 2024 Essay Topic:
This year SEPC is celebrating The Unseen Heroes - the men and women who serve our industry by plowing fields, harvesting crops, sorting produce, loading trucks, stocking shelves, and prepping meals. Some heroes wear camouflage, but within our industry they wear coveralls, work boots, gloves, aprons, hairnets, chef coats, safety glasses, and wide-brimmed hats. In your experience, how have you witnessed the unseen side of the produce industry? Also, what lessons have you learned from these unseen heroes, and how can you apply these life lessons to your own life?
*Note: Although the essay topic is similar, former Vorhees Vision Scholarship applicants must submit a different essay when applying for the SEPC Member scholarship. Use of AI tools or services to generate the content of essays is strictly prohibited. Essays submitted using AI formatting will be disqualified.
- 2024 Essay Topic:
The SEPC scholarship application can only be submitted online through our link which will be provided beginning March 11, 2024. The application deadline is April 26, 2024 at 5pm EST.
Members of the SEPC Scholarship Committee
*All judges will be impartial when judging each redacted essay. All participant names and company references will be redacted before judging. If any judge has a personal relationship with any participant, that judge will be asked to recuse himself or herself from judging and will be replaced.
First preference is given to new applicants; however, you may apply for additional scholarship awards. You will need to provide transcripts from the university you are attending along with proof of enrollment. All repeat scholarship recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA to be eligible each year.
Recipients are announced on May 20, 2024.
Congratulations to our 2024 SEPC Member Scholarship recipients!
Colton Barton
Sebastian Cimino
Olivia Coufal
Lillian Davis
Tahlia DiLaudo
Marco DiLaudo
Jacob Eubanks
Douglas Ford
Wesley Fox
Mark Fuehrer
Kameryn Hawes
Maegan Heink
Emma Jackson
Kristopher James
Morgan Jenny
Lindsey Kastensmidt
Isabella Lott
Gabrielle Matejowsky
Carter McCormick
Mia Muniz
Jadyn Murray
Kaylee Nelsen
Alexis Olsen
Matheson Parker
Haley Pilcher
Madison Pilcher
Tanner Rayfield
Lowri Richards
Aly Rooke
Ethan Rose
Carter Schwalls
Steven Shaw
Hudson Sherrod
Mason Shuman
Riley St George
Sophia Tanner
Kasey Tipton
Avery White
Ethan Wood
Vorhees Vision Scholarship
The Vorhees Vision Scholarship was created to reward the achievements of young individuals who demonstrate a true entrepreneurial spirit in their lives as they pursue their educational goals. This scholarship is named in honor of the late Terry L. Vorhees, founder and first Executive Director of the Southeast Produce Council. Because of his vision and efforts, the Southeast Produce Council became and remains one of the best resources in the produce industry today.
Details
One college-aged student (graduating high school senior or current college student) will receive a one-time scholarship of $10,000 to their enrolling college/university. The 2nd place recipient will receive $1,500, and the 3rd place recipient will receive $1,000.
Congratulations to our 2024 Vorhees Vision Scholarship recipients!
1st Place
Avery White
Daughter of Johnny and Melanie White
Shuman Farms
2nd Place
Kaylee Nelsen
Daughter of Sean Nelsen
Fowler Packing
3rd Place
Emma Jackson
Daughter of Rob Jackson
Red Sun Farms
Vorhees Vision Scholarship FAQs
Each applicant must be/have a parent or grandparent who is a corporate member in good standing as of January 15th of the current year [Member has been on the SEPC membership roster for at least 12 months and has personally attended at least one event (Southern Exposure and/or Southern Innovations) within the last 12 months]. Immediate family members may apply if the active member is part of a corporate membership. Members who have individual memberships are not eligible.
Each applicant must be enrolled as a full-time student (minimum 12 semester hours).
- Grade Point Average- Minimum 3.0
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from high school and/or college staff, clergy, community leaders, etc.
- SAT or ACT scores
- Leadership and community service involvement
- 1000-word minimum essay*
- 2024 Essay Topic: This year SEPC is celebrating The Unseen Heroes - the men and women who serve our industry by plowing fields, harvesting crops, sorting produce, loading trucks, stocking shelves, and prepping meals. Some heroes wear camouflage, but within our industry they wear coveralls, work boots, gloves, aprons, hairnets, chef coats, safety glasses, and wide-brimmed hats. In your experience, how have you witnessed the unseen side of the produce industry? What have you learned from this? What are the most admirable attributes of The Unseen Heroes in the produce industry? How can you use those attributes to impact your community positively?
*Use of AI tools or services to generate the content of essays is strictly prohibited. Essays submitted using AI formatting will be disqualified.
The application can only be submitted online through our link which will be provided beginning December 11, 2023. The application deadline is January 12, 2024 at 5pm EST.
Members of the SEPC Scholarship Committee
*All judges will be impartial when judging each redacted essay. All participant names and company references will be redacted before judging. If any judge has a personal relationship with any participant, that judge will be asked to recuse himself or herself from judging and will be replaced.
First preference is given to new applicants; however, 2nd and 3rd place recipients may apply for additional scholarship awards. 1st place recipients may not reapply.
The scholarship will be awarded February 12, 2024. One (1) $10,000.00 scholarship will be awarded to the scholarship recipient’s enrolling College/University. The 2nd place recipient will receive $1,500, and the 3rd place recipient will receive $1,000.
Nolan Family Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship was established to memorialize Jim Nolan, who took an ethical stand on a business matter at great cost to himself. As a result of his professional ethics, Nolan was ostracized by colleagues and remained isolated in his efforts to maintain moral integrity in his workplace. It would have taken only a few others with the courage to speak out to change the course of events. Tragically, Jim died before the trial that finally vindicated his actions by a judge and a jury of 13 who found in his favor. Our sincere thanks to Theresa Nolan for providing this scholarship to the members of the Southeast Produce Council. She is a lifetime member of the SEPC and is always available to lend a helping hand wherever needed.
Details
One college-aged student (graduating high school senior or current college student) will receive a one-time scholarship of $5,000 to their enrolling college/university. The scholarship will be awarded based on GPA (3.0 or higher), references and quality of essay.
Congratulations to our 2024 James and Theresa Nolan Family Foundation Scholarship recipient!
Mark Fuehrer
Son of Milton Fuehrer | Michigan Fresh Marketing
Nolan Family Foundation Scholarship FAQs
Each applicant must be/have a parent or grandparent who is a corporate member in good standing as of July 1st of the current year [Member has been on the SEPC membership roster for at least 12 months and has personally attended at least one event (Southern Exposure and/or Southern Innovations) within the last 12 months]. Immediate family members may apply if the active member is part of a corporate membership. Members who have individual memberships are not eligible.
Each applicant must be enrolled as a full-time student (minimum 12 semester hours).
- Official college or high school transcript
- SEPC Member Name and Member #
- College/University Student ID #, current major and GPA
- College/University Address where the scholarship check will be sent
- SAT and/or ACT scores
- Enrollment verification from College/University
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
- Community Involvement
- 500 - 1000 word essay on the importance of ethics, describing a situation where doing the right thing was difficult, but you did so in spite of the cost; also include your thoughts on ethical lessons learned from your experience and how these lessons can be applied to corporate America.
The application can only be submitted online through our link which will be provided beginning May 13, 2024. The application deadline is June 28, 2024 at 5pm EST.
Members of the SEPC Scholarship Committee
*All judges will be impartial when judging each redacted essay. All participant names and company references will be redacted before judging. If any judge has a personal relationship with any participant, that judge will be asked to recuse himself or herself from judging and will be replaced.
The recipient will be announced July 29, 2024.