Mike Blume, sales representative for Keystone Fruit Marketing Inc., headquartered in Greencastle, PA, said that the company is exhibiting at the Southern Exposure Retail & Foodservice Conference & Expo being held this year at the Caribe Royale Resort & Conference Center in Orlando, FL, on Feb. 28-March 2.

“Keystone Fruit Marketing is always working on new and exciting things,” said Mr. Blume. “The SPC [Southeast Produce Council] Southern Exposure event is a great place to showcase our innovations. Keystone Fruit Marketing’s corporate chef, Dave Munson.We invite all visitors to come and check out what’s new and exciting at our booth, number 1021.”

Keystone Fruit handles a wide variety of vegetables and fruits. Its line includes peaches, onions, asparagus and apples, to mention just a few.

Mr. Blume said the company has been a member of the Southeast Produce Council for at least eight years, and it has been exhibiting at Southern Exposure since the show’s inception in 2004.

“This expo offers us an opportunity to meet and talk with many of our current customers along with potentially new customers,” he said. “Joining me at the expo to greet attendees will be our sales associates; Tracy Wood and Matthew Gideon, along with our corporate chef, Dave Munson.”

Chef Munson works on product development and new recipes for the company, and is available to customers for in-store demos, corporate luncheons and manager meeting luncheons. He also develops recipes for Keystone Fruit.

The company has been a member of the Southeast Produce Council for 10 years, and it has exhibited every year since it became a member.

Keystone Fruit Marketing is vertically integrated, which leaves nothing to chance. From growing and marketing its own fresh produce to research and development and logistics, Keystone and Key Farms are totally integrated.

Several years ago, the company earned its Rainforest Alliance certification through its commitment to the protection of the environment, sustainable farming practices and socially responsible working conditions. Its “Mayan Sweets” sweet onions have been certified by the Rain Forest Alliance as meeting its stringent requirements for sustainable land use and morally responsible working conditions.

The policy of Keystone Fruit Marketing is that all of its commodities and related packing operations are compliant with current food-safety technology mandates and meet independent third party audit specifications. Its food-safety program operates in conjunction with Primus Labs Inc., National Sanitation Foundation, Safe Quality Food Institute and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Mr. Blume said that the company’s staff members always participate in the social events at Southern Exposure.

“We always participate in the gala event, and some of our staff members enjoy the golf tournament,” he said. “We are also a sponsor of the Golf Tournament Luncheon.”

As leaders in the sweet onion industry, Keystone Fruit Marketing has worked hard over the years to be environmentally friendly and socially responsible wherever it grows.

“We take great pride in our operations in Peru and the Rainforest Alliance’s certification,” said Mr. Blume. “Our mission in Peru has always been to ensure consistent and sustainable supplies of premium-quality sweet onions.”