Education

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 both Southern Exposure and Southern Innovations 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
• LINKS Meeting Description Options
  • LINKS Meeting(s) with Grower/Shipper Companies (Note: if hosting onsite, due to safety precautions, we recommend hosting separate individual meetings with member companies)
  • Internal Company Meeting
• A La Carte Menu
  • A/V options
    • Projector/Screen
    • PA System
  • Food & Beverage Service (at reserving company's expense) 

APPLY NOW

*LINKS Meeting Reservations must be submitted/approved through SEPC.

A two-day 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.

Note: Our upcoming course is scheduled to take place within the SEPC Virtual Garden on May 12, 2021.  

“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

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 2021: Session Videos

• It's Not Personal...It's Generational!
• Power of Produce 2021
• Keynote Luncheon
• Keynote Speaker Duncan Wardle

Southern Innovations 2021: Session Videos

• Coming Soon!

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. Twelve (12) 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.

STEP-UPP CLASS TESTIMONIALS

“The word that pops into my head that best describes the overall experience is family. We seemed to all instantly hit it off.”

            ~ Lee Butram, AWG, STEP-UPP Class of 2018

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have been a member with STEP-UPP. I gained invaluable experience by touring farms, talking to suppliers and networking with industry leaders and experts. Years later, I still use what I learned to make better buying decisions for my company.”

             ~ Leslie Gallegos, Fresh Point Tampa, STEP-UPP Class of 2012

THE STEP-UPP CLASS OF 2021

2021 STEP-UPP Class Schedule

• Spring 2021
  • April 28: Virtual Classroom within the SEPC Virtual Garden

    • 9:00am to 9:10am Welcome/Overview of the day

      9:10am to 9:30am Shenandoah (video/live recap)

      9:30am to 9:50am Shuman Farms (video/live recap)

      9:50am to 10:10am Southern Valley (video/live recap)

      10:10am to 10:20am Break (remaining live with countdown timer)

      10:20am to 10:40am Fowler Packing (video/live recap)

      10:40am to 11:00am Giumarra (video/live recap)

      11:00am to 11:20am Chelan (video/live recap)

      11:20am to 12:30pm Live Q&A

      12:30pm to 1:30pm Lunch

      1:30pm to 2:15pm Farmers P&L w/ Adam Lytch

      2:15pm to 3:00pm Test Period

      3:00pm to 3:30pm Test Results and Closing Remarks

• Summer 2021 [schedule TBD]
• Fall 2021 
  • Class graduation ceremony during Southern Innovations 2021

2019 STEP-UPP Team Building Activity

• https://youtu.be/qOYfDXD08E8
• More STEP-UPP class videos 

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
  • 2021 Essay Topic:

    2020 has been a very trying year for all of us. Yet through the COVID-19 pandemic, we have gained valuable insight into SEPC’s theme for 2021 – Produce: Powered by People. We have seen how People in Produce have brought some positive lights to these dark times.   We know that everyone can make a difference in their job, community, church, school, or home. One person can bring a little light into the dark world we have lived in for this last year. Most of us have had a lot of time on our hands this year to think about things that we can do when the world gets back to some form of normal.

    Explain how you could do something to make a positive difference in this new world we are living in. It could be something you have done in the past and plan on continuing now.  

The SEPC scholarship application can only be submitted online through our link which will be provided beginning March 15, 2021. The application deadline is April 30, 2021 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 21, 2021.