Attendees at this year’s Southern Exposure expo will have an opportunity to find out why 2013 represents such a sweet year for Curry & Co. “First of all, is our Vidalia Sweet Carrot program,” President Matt Curry told The Produce News Feb. 11. “We’ll have samples at the show, and people can try these delicious carrots first hand. Our Vidalia Sweet Carrot program will run from late February/early March until about mid-summer. We are expecting our largest crop to date, and the quality has been excellent.”

Curry & Co. is expecting to market its largest crop of Vidalia Sweet Carrots this year. The season will begin in late February/early March and run through mid-summer. (Photo courtesy of Curry & Co.)

Prospects for the company’s 2013 Vidalia Sweet Onion program are equally exciting. “We have a new packing facility, new packaging equipment and a new packaging look,” Mr. Curry stated. “We are excited for the season to begin. Our tonnage has increased over the 2012 year by as much as 20 percent if we hit our estimates and will be one of the first to market with our 2013 crop.”

Representatives from Curry & Co. will exhibit at booth 722 to talk about these programs. In addition to Mr. Curry, Jamie Brannen, Adam Blocker and Sandra White will be available to meet with attendees.

“We really enjoy the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure show,” Mr. Curry commented. “The setup allows us to have quality conversations with our customers and prospects. We know the show continues to grow in popularity. But we’d love it to maintain this smaller show personality. We get time to talk with people and always leave the show feeling we’ve accomplished our goals and more.”

The venue also brings people together at just the right moment. “It’s a great time of year for us for our Vidalia Sweet Carrot program. We’ve either just started harvest or will be when the show begins,” Mr. Curry commented. “The show is also close to the start of the Vidalia Sweet Onion season, and we are able to finalize a lot of plans as we make preparations for the season. There’s a nice mix of retailers and wholesalers at this show that represent a lot of the Eastern seaboard. We are able to discuss our local/regional Vidalia onion program with regional chains and the overall strength and value of the Vidalia name for customers outside of this region. It’s also our first major show of the season, and we like to hear responses from customers about how the year is going and what they expect for the next quarter and into the summer months.”

Curry & Co. will unveil its new packaging for Vidalia Sweet Onions and POS materials for Vidalia Sweet Carrots at the booth. “Mexican Sweet onions will be on display at our booth and potentially some Texas 1015s,” Mr. Curry added.