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, 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.

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.

“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.”

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.

“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.