Southern Specialties was founded with a focus on high-quality specialty produce, initially starting with growing operations in Florida and Guatemala. Over time, the company expanded its footprint across 10 different countries, building strong relationships with growers throughout Latin America. Today, Southern Specialties remains a family-owned business, surrounded by dedicated people, committed grower partnerships, and a loyal customer base spanning North America, company officials said.
Evolution has been driven by a commitment to adding value at every stage of the supply chain, according to Charlie Eagle, the company’s vice president of business development. Southern Specialties has built a vertically integrated business model that includes managing small producers, cooperative growing operations, packing facilities, logistics, cold storage facilities, processing and repack operations, and distribution centers. With strategically located facilities in Pompano Beach, FL, McAllen, TX, and San Luis, AZ, Southern Specialties ensures seamless delivery of high-quality produce to its customers.
The fresh produce industry is dynamic and often unpredictable, they note. While growers can manage many factors through experience, technology, and advanced growing practices, weather remains an uncontrollable challenge. Southern Specialties has proactively addressed this by diversifying its growing operations across multiple regions and countries, helping to mitigate the impact of unexpected production shortfalls.
Today’s customers demand greater efficiency in procurement and rely on technology to streamline their operations. Business intelligence software, predictive analytics and automation have become essential tools for modern produce buying. Southern Specialties has embraced this digital transformation, investing in advanced systems to collect and analyze data across the supply chain. By becoming more proactive rather than reactive, the company enhances its ability to adapt to shifting demand and market conditions.
Colescott’s journey in the produce industry began in the mid-1980s, working with pioneers in specialty produce from Florida and Guatemala. When he established Southern Specialties, the company became one of the first importers to gain acceptance at the Pompano Beach Farmers Market, now called the Ed Myrick State Farmers Market. Initially, the local industry was protective of domestic production, but over time, Colescott earned the trust and respect of growers who recognized that Southern Specialties was introducing products that complemented, rather than competed with, local crops.
While Southern Specialties has expanded operations in Texas and Arizona, its headquarters remain in Pompano Beach. The location provides significant logistical advantages, being less than a mile from major transportation corridors like I-95 and the Florida Turnpike. The proximity to Port Everglades and Port Miami allows for swift container dispatching, reducing transit times for products entering South Florida. This efficiency benefits not only Southern Specialties but also its transportation partners, who can avoid the heavy congestion typically experienced in the Miami/Doral area, added Eagle.
Southern Specialties recently expanded its operations during the COVID-19 period, adding refrigerated space and enhancing its processing and bagging operations for key products, that include asparagus, avocados, citrus, green beans, peas, peppers, butternut squash and sweet potatoes.
Looking ahead, Eagle said Southern Specialties remains focused on customer needs rather than aggressive expansion. By offering value-added services like consolidation, private labeling, bagging programs, and fruit preconditioning, Southern Specialties continues to strengthen its partnerships and provide innovative solutions to customers.
From the production side, Southern Specialties will further expand greenhouse operations in both Guatemala and Mexico with peppers and tomatoes and asparagus/blueberry production in Peru.
