Southern Specialties thrives on consistency and reputation
Southern Specialties thrives on consistency and reputation
Operating a consistent business model for almost 35 years and building a solid reputation with customers can go a long way in the produce industry.
For Pompano Beach, FL.-based Southern Specialties it has paid off extremely well, helping earn the trust of the companies it has dealt with for decades and build new relationships at a steady clip.
“We have been growing something special for nearly 35 years and still growing,” said Charlie Eagle, the vice president of business development at the company, which offers more than 250 SKUs and can ship product to most of the key population centers around the country. “Southern Specialties is proud to still partner with some of the same companies that we started doing business with many years ago.
“Today, we are proud to have grown our business to service some of the best retailers, club stores, foodservice distributors and wholesale companies in the nation,” Eagle continued. “We are recognized as the go-to grower-shipper for many specialty products that we offer in bulk, Southern Selects value-added and private label formats.”
The Southern Selects line includes asparagus, French beans, hand trimmed baby carrots and heirloom tomatoes that can create great excitement on a family’s table. Product is available in a pack style which is ideal for any consumer, whether they are a couple, large family, caterer or corporate chef.
For these reasons, Eagle and the entire Southern Specialties team is excited to showcase the company’s product line at the upcoming Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Innovation Show in Charlotte this month.
“Southern Specialties will be front-and-center with those products that have led to our success,” noted Eagle. “Our asparagus program from Peru is entering peak season. Our Mexican programs follow with shipping points in Arizona, McAllen, TX, and Florida. Our snipped green bean program has been a sensational enhancement to our bean program. Of course our entire Southern Selects value added line will be on display with a presentation ideal for any consumers’ needs.”
Interacting with the trade remains the primary goal for the Southern Specialties team at the event. Eagle emphasized that meeting customers and potential customers face-to-face goes a long way to building and maintaining relationships.
“As with many shows, we look forward to meeting our existing customers as well as our future customers,” Eagle added. “In an industry that relies more and more on emails, texts and spreadsheets it is wonderful to actually have meaningful dialogue in person.
“Being part of the SEPC community also plays a huge role,” eagle continued. “We have been a member of SEPC since almost the very beginning and have participated in every show they have produced. So, the opportunity to engage with fellow members in one of the best regional produce organizations in the nation is a strong positive for us.”
Part of the value of SEPC is its willingness to get involved in educational and enrichment programs for the trade. “It is a great way to ensure our personnel are engaged and a part of the produce community,” Eagle said. “This organization gives back to the community, perhaps, more than any group of its size. We are proud to be a member of, and contributor to, SEPC.”
How does he expect to keep Southern Specialties front-and-center in the future?
“When we tell people, outside our industry, what we do I frequently hear ‘Well people have to eat,’” Eagle said. “So that is bullish for our industry in general. But beyond that it is rewarding to provide healthful, flavorful and colorful options to chefs and consumers. We love what we do and hope to continue to bring great value to existing and new customers for years to come.”
