Fresh From Florida touting Retail Incentive Program at Southern Exposure
Fresh From Florida touting Retail Incentive Program at Southern Exposure
Fresh From Florida is proud to participate in Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure to showcase Florida’s wide selection of fruits and vegetables to retail buyers.
“Our primary goal is to remind attendees that Florida is first-in-season for top-quality produce and to strengthen relationships with retailers through our Retail Incentive Program,” said Susie McKinley, director of the division of marketing and development for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Members of the department will be at the show and will be available at booth No. 308 to answer questions about sourcing and promoting Florida produce.
“Our strategy focuses on engaging retail buyers, sharing program details and highlighting Florida’s leadership in the agriculture industry,” McKinley said. “Attendees will learn about the Fresh From Florida Retail Incentive Program and how it makes sourcing and promoting Florida produce easier than ever. The booth will feature branded materials, information on Florida-grown products and opportunities to meet the team behind the brand.”
Those that stop by can also pick up some Fresh From Florida swag and learn more about what’s happening.
The department is seeing some new trends emerge and are eager to talk with show attendees about what’s new and exciting in the industry.
“Consumers are increasingly seeking locally-grown, fresh and high-quality produce,” McKinley said. “Fresh From Florida is promoting these trends by emphasizing Florida’s position as a first-in-season domestic source and highlighting seasonal availability to keep shoppers informed.”
With that in mind, the Fresh From Florida team expects discussions at the show to be around sourcing domestic produce and retail strategies to highlight local products.
“The Retail Incentive Program will be a major topic, as it helps retailers promote Florida-grown produce effectively,” McKinley said.
As it does every year, Fresh From Florida is looking forward to the networking opportunities that SEPC presents.
“Networking is critical for building and maintaining partnerships and expanding the reach of Florida-grown produce,” McKinley said. “We aim to connect with retail buyers and industry leaders to strengthen relationships and explore new promotional opportunities. We have set meeting times with multiple retailers to ensure time is set aside for those important discussions.”
A successful show for Fresh From Florida is one where meaningful conversations with retailers take place, increased awareness of Florida’s produce offerings occur and new commitments to participate in the Retail Incentive Program come about.
“If attendees leave knowing Florida is a top source for fresh produce, it’s a win,” McKinley said. “We look forward to connecting with both new and familiar faces and exploring opportunities to collaborate. Our focus is on fostering relationships that lead to increased visibility and sales of Florida-grown produce. SEPC also provides a valuable opportunity to gather feedback, identify new promotional strategies and strengthen partnerships for the year ahead.”
The goals for 2026 align closely with the goals of the show — expanding retailer participation in the Retail Incentive Program, increasing consumer awareness of Florida-grown produce and solidifying supply chain partnerships.
“Fresh From Florida is committed to achieving these objectives through strategic marketing initiatives, deeper industry engagement and a strong presence at key events like SEPC to build relationships and drive growth,” McKinley said.
