Troy Bland promoted to director of operations as Bland Farms continues to diversify
Best known as a world leader in the sweet onion category and a top producer of Vidalia onions, Bland Farms LLC of Glennville, GA, has continued to add to its product lineup and made a major personnel announcement leading up to its appearance at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure trade show in Orlando, FL, Feb. 28 to March 2.
Having been involved in the business since an early age, Troy Bland, formerly director of quality control and procurement, has been promoted to director of operations. The move represents a significant increase in Bland’s responsibilities.
Brooks Tropicals to feature spring tropical produce at Southern Exposure
Brooks Tropicals, headquartered in Homestead, FL, is a leading grower, packer and marketer of fresh tropical fruits and vegetables.
The company’s flagship products include papayas, starfruit, avocados — particularly the Florida-grown “SlimCado,”which boasts having less fat and fewer calories than other commercial avocados — and approximately 20 other tropical specialty products, such as the Uniq fruit. Under the loose and bumpy skin of this large citrus fruit is the refreshing taste of a grapefruit with a hint of tangerine.
L&M an inaugural and integral part of SPC
Bobby Creel, director of business development for L&M Cos. headquartered in Raleigh, NC, said the company has been a member of the Southeast Produce Council and has exhibited at every Southern Exposure conference and expo since the first event was held in Lakeland, FL, in 1999.
Keystone dishing out luscious samples at Southern Exposure
“We somehow seem to always get stuck into a corner at the annual Southern Exposure conference and expo, but that hasn’t stopped our customers and potentially new customers from finding us,” said Mike Blume, sales representative for Keystone Fruit Marketing Inc. in Greencastle, PA. “And there’s good reason for visitors to visit our booth, number 1,203, as Chef Dave Munson, our corporate chef, will be serving some delicious recipes. It’s a ‘stop-by-and-taste’ treat for everyone who visits us at the event.”
Giorgio Fresh talking up new website, line of high quality mushroom products at Southern Exposure
As always, Giorgio Fresh plans to have a full team of company representatives on hand at its booth, number 909, at the Southeast Produce Council’s 2014 Southern Exposure annual conference and expo.
The event will be held Feb. 27 to March 1 at the Caribe Royale Conference Center & Hotel in Orlando, FL.
Southern Specialties pays tribute to the growth of SPC and Southern Exposure
“We joined the Southeast Produce Council one year after its inception, and we have been exhibiting at the Southern Exposure conference and expo every year since,” Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for Southern Specialties, headquartered in Pompano Beach, FL, told The Produce News.
Albert’s Organics sharing ideas and opportunities
Albert’s Organics, headquartered in Santa Cruz, CA, is a leading distributor of organic products — and a pace-setter in the organics movement.
Ecoripe making great waves in numerous specialty categories
“We envision Ecoripe Tropicals as a leader in the produce industry, consistently serving as a catalyst of success for our customers, vendors and employees,” said Marc Holbik, director of grower relations for the Medley, FL-based company. And it will have another great opportunity to demonstrate its wide range of specialty produce, along with its commitment to continue to provide excellent customer service, sourcing and delivering the best quality fresh produce at the Southern Exposure conference and expo.
DNE featuring grapefruit and Valencia oranges through the spring
“DNE will be featuring its line of Florida citrus products at the Southeast Produce Council’s 2014 Southern Exposure annual conference and expo,” said Kathy Hearl, marketing promotions manager for DNE World Fruit LLC, headquartered in Fort Pierce, FL. “Mark Hanks, vice president of sales and marketing; Barbara Anderson, marketing promotions manager; Bob States, sales representatives; and other sales staff members will be at our booth, number 905, to greet visitors.”
Village Farms will have top executives to meet with visitors at Southern Exposure
Helen L. Aquino, Marketing Manager Village Farms LP, headquartered in Eatontown, NJ, told The Produce News that company President and Chief Executive Officer Michael A. DeGiglio, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Doug Kling, Senior Vice President and Sales Operations Bret Wiley, Eastern District Sales Manager Alan Kleinman, and Regional Sales Manager Steve Poklemba will all be attending the Southeast Produce Council’s 2014 annual Southern Exposure conference and expo. The event will be held Feb.