Bobby Creel, director of business development for L&M Cos. headquartered in Raleigh, NC, said the company has been a member of the Southeast Produce Council and has exhibited at every Southern Exposure conference and expo since the first event was held in Lakeland, FL, in 1999.

“Our booth number is 908 at this year’s Southern Exposure,” said Creel, “and we will have several L&M representatives there to greet visitors. They include Jake Parker, product manager Eastern U.S. Bell pepper and squash; Steve Williams, business development manager Washington apples, pears, cherries and stone fruit; Adam Lytch, operations manager Florida/Georgia; Nick Hulsey, sales specialist potatoes and onions; and myself.”

The company will be focusing on its core products, including vegetables, potatoes and onions, Washington apples, pears, cherries and stone fruit.

Creel has been strongly active with the Southeast Produce Council since its founding. He served three terms on the board of directors and several years on the advisory board of directors. He has also served for several years as the attendance committee chairman, and he is the 2014 chairman of Southern Exposure.

“Our founder and Chairman Joe McGee, with his wife, Linda, will also be at Southern Exposure,” said Creel. “Joe was the first recipient of the SEPC’s Lifetime Achievement Award.”

It is notable that McGee founded L&M Cos. on Jan. 10, 1964, and so the company is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Creel said that the Southern Exposure conference and expo helps companies to build relationships with existing and new retail and foodservice customers and other grower-shippers.

“L&M’s team participates in all events at Southern Exposure as well as at its annual fall conference,” he added. “We have sponsored the VIP reception at Southern Exposure for several years. We contribute product to the council’s charitable programs such as RAMP, whose vision is to significantly improve the well-being of children and families across rural Appalachia.”

L&M also supports the Step-UPP Educational Program by hosting each class on its farms in the Southeast.

Creel said that a new L&M team member will be at Southern Exposure 2014.

“Steve Williams joined L&M in October 2013,” he said. “He is working hand in hand with retailers across the U.S. to help them grow their apple, pear, cherry and stone fruit business. Steve came to L&M with a strong background in the retail business. He also holds a Retailer of the Year Award, and he has served on the board of directors of the Southeast Produce Council.

“Doug Stoiber is also new to our Washington state marketing team this season,” Creel continued. “Doug’s experience with U.S. Food Service and Sysco, along with his expertise in logistics at LMTS [the logistics division of L&M Transportation Services] make him an important asset to our foodservice customers.”

Given the numerous divisions and locations of L&M’s operation, it continually engages in upgrades and renovations. Creel said the most recent project under way is a large scale site improvement project at its Labelle, FL, facility, which includes a state-of-the-art optical Bell pepper packingline.

“Our 2014 East Coast broccoli acreage continues to grow and we are servicing top retail and foodservice customers along the East Coast and Midwest with this category,” noted Creel. “Our Washington state business unit is growing at a very steady pace along multiple business channels.

“Our potato and onion business unit has seen good solid growth in consumer packs,” he continued. “And our Raleigh market facility has shown outstanding growth servicing foodservice customers within a 300 mile radius of that packing facility.”