By around mid-April, Pompano Beach, FL-based Southern Specialties expects to be in the full swing of its Florida blueberry deal.

“That’s just about the time when we should start seeing decent volumes,” said Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development.

Eagle spoke with The Produce News in late March, soon after the Southeast Produce Council Southern Exposure event. He noted the great success of the conference and expo.

“It was once again a very good show,” he said. “The venue was great and it was once again well attended. The Southern Exposure committee does an outstanding job of organizing the event each year. For Southern Specialties, it provides a great networking opportunity.

“This year is was particularly good for us because the show was held very close to our Pompano Beach headquarters’ facility. We hosted many of our customers on tours of the facility, and it was highly gratifying to hear their comments about our operation. Some offered comparisons to other facilities they had visited, which was extremely positive for us.”

Southern Specialties is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2016. The company, founded in 1990 by Robert Colescott, president and chief executive officer, began as a specialty produce company that catered primarily to fine restaurants and hotels. Over the years it has evolved to include a variety of offerings and packaging for the retail sector.

The now popular Southern Selects product line is sold across North America at major and small chain retailers, independent grocers and club stores.

Eagle explained that blueberries are produced on a few Florida farms in late March, but the bulk, from Alachua and Polk counties, come on in mid-April.

“Our Florida blueberry programs starts with light arrivals of 4.4-ounce packs, and then we transition into pints as volumes increase,” he said. “So far spring weather been favorable with no late freezes.

“We will continue through May as we transition to Georgia and North Carolina,” he added.

Retailed under the Southern Selects brand, the start will include blueberry varieties Flicker, Farthing and Chickadee. The majority of the berries during peak Florida production are of the Emerald variety.