“We somehow seem to always get stuck into a corner at the annual Southern Exposure conference and expo, but that hasn’t stopped our customers and potentially new customers from finding us,” said Mike Blume, sales representative for Keystone Fruit Marketing Inc. in Greencastle, PA. “And there’s good reason for visitors to visit our booth, number 1,203, as Chef Dave Munson, our corporate chef, will be serving some delicious recipes. It’s a ‘stop-by-and-taste’ treat for everyone who visits us at the event.”

Besides Blume and Munson, Tracy Wood and Rich Miller, both sales representatives for Keystone Fruit Marketing, will be greeting visitors at the company’s booth. Blume said that he has been with the company for over 10 years, and that Keystone was a member even before then.

“Keystone exhibited in 2004, the very first year of the Southern Exposure conference and expo, and we’ve exhibited every year since,” he said.

“This year we’ll be talking with our customers and potential new customers about our year-round sweet onion program,” he continued. “Vidalia onions will be starting by mid-April.”

Keystone Fruit Marketing will also be promoting its Walla Walla sweet onion program and its imported “Mayan Sweets” from Peru and Mexico.

“We also have a mild red onion program from Peru, Mexico, Texas and Georgia,” Blume added.

The company will also be talking up its increased volume and availability of its year-round asparagus programs, which are sourced from Mexico, Peru, California and Washington.

“We will also be promoting our regional apple program from Pennsylvania and Virginia,” said Blume. “In addition, we will be discussing the start of the southern peach crop, which will begin by mid-May. We represent peach growers from Georgia, South Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. It is the most complete Eastern and Southern peach program available to retailers, wholesalers and foodservice companies today.”

The Southern Exposure event, Blume noted, allows Keystone Fruit the opportunity to visit with numerous customers and potential customers in a short period of time, “giving us an opportunity to update them on upcoming crops along with everything we offer throughout the year,” he said.

“Some Keystone associates will partake in the golf tournament and others will attend the opening gala event,” Blume continued. “The expo, and all the events associated with it, allows us to mingle and interact with so many retailers, wholesalers and foodservice companies in a relaxed atmosphere.”

Blume emphasized that asparagus demand from retailers, wholesalers and foodservice companies is very strong today.

“Our crop in Mexico is excellent, which fortunately enables us to fulfill the needs of our customers,” he said. “We’ll have updated crop information and future forecasts for visitors to our booth at the show.”

The company is eagerly anticipating the start of the Vidalia onion movement in mid-April.

“Although it is too early to predict the crop at this time [late January], we will have updated information at the time of the show so our customers can plan accordingly,” he said. “Peaches will start in Georgia and South Carolina by mid-May, and these growing regions have experienced good chill hours and plenty of rain so far, although for these crops it is also too early to make predictions.

“We look forward to another successful show in Florida and spending time with so many of our valued customers and friends,” Blume added.