ORLANDO, FL — The Southeast Produce Council held its annual VIP dinner Wednesday evening, March 1, at the Swan Reserve Vue Ballroom, just prior to the opening of the 2023 Southern Exposure conference and trade show, here.

The Food Industry Association released the Power of Produce 2023 report at the Southeast Produce Council’s annual Southern Exposure event, revealing produce department sales grew 4.8 percent to $74.5 billion in 2022 even as inflation increased the price of fruits and vegetables.

Avocados From Mexico has prioritized growing demand for in- and out-of-home fresh avocado consumption since its inception in 2013. With avocado imports continuing to climb, the brand is implementing a strategic restructure to enable sustained growth by aligning all demand-driving efforts under one commercial strategy department.

SunDate has been methodically working to meet the increasing demand for organic dates around the world.

Its parent company, Anthony Vineyards is headquartered in Bakersfield, CA, but has date-growing operations in Coachella Valley. “SunDate is the largest organic grower of dates, both Medjools and Deglan Noor,” said DJ Ryan, the company’s sales and operations manager.

Farm Fresh Produce sent its branded, premium label Dolce Vita sweet potatoes into space. “In our galaxy, only one sweet potato reigns supreme,” Steven Ceccarelli, CEO of Farm Fresh, said of the voyage to the edge of space.

For the fifth consecutive year, Food Lion Feeds is partnering with its customers to help provide at least 1 million meals to neighbors facing hunger through its annual Food Lion Feeds Orange Bag campaign. The campaign runs March 1-21 and benefits Feeding America and local partner food banks throughout Food Lion’s 10-state operating area.