On Aug. 6, Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for Southern Specialties, headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, explained to The Produce News that in 2001, in response to inquiries from the foodservice community, the company became involved in growing and shipping heirloom tomatoes.

“Chefs have been and continue to seek heirlooms for their intense tomato flavor, unique shapes and appealing colors,” said Eagle. “We are still shipping heirlooms. Our tomato line includes baby heirlooms, baby beefsteaks and other specialty tomatoes, such as yellow tomatoes.”

He noted that it’s not just chefs who are demanding these unique tomatoes today. Consumers have taken to them and the retail sector is benefiting from the strong and growing demand.

The heirloom tomatoes will be on display at the company’s booth at the New England Produce Council’s Produce & Floral Expo on Sept. 11 in Newport, RI.

Southern Specialties Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Geno Valdes, will join Eagle to meet and greet customers and prospective customers at the event.

“We will have our complete line of ‘Southern Selects’ brand of value-added and bulk products on display at the expo,” said Eagle. “Our Peruvian asparagus offerings will also be featured, including our 10-ounce ‘Southern Selects’ steamable pouch. We will also have our blueberries, blackberries and raspberries on hand.”

Southern Specialties will be featuring its line of value-added microwavable products in family friendly and club store packs that range from six-ounces to two-pound sizes.

Southern Specialties has been involved in the specialty fruits and vegetables arena since it was founded by Robert Colescott, who today serves as president and chief executive officer. Throughout the years, it has provided restaurants and other foodservice chefs, as well as consumers with unique, flavorful, nutritious and colorful products that can enhance dishes of all kinds and for every meal course. Today, the company is fully integrated. It grows, ships, imports, markets and sells its wide range of specialty produce items across the United States and into Canada.

In addition to the aforementioned items, the company also offers French beans, hand-peeled Brussels sprouts, hand-peeled baby carrots with tops, hand-peeled rainbow baby carrots with tops, sugar snap peas, snow peas, yellow beans, baby squash, limes, papayas and much more. Its “Southern Selects” brand is highly recognized by retailers and consumers alike in all corners of North America.

Besides its Pompano Beach headquarters, the company also ships from McAllen, TX, and Los Angeles.

“Geno and I are looking forward to participating in the NEPC Expo in its new location,” said Eagle. “Newport is beautiful place, and we’re interested in seeing if it draws new attendees. We’re also looking forward to that clambake that’s on the schedule.”