HOLLYWOOD, FL - Maybe you didn’t make it out to SEPC’s Southern Exposure this year, or maybe you just got caught up with the Hula dancers out front—either way, I'm here to give you a little insight into some of the products that caught my eye on the show floor. With this convention being one of the most intimate gatherings in produce, here are what I think you should get up close and personal with:

Ocean Mist’s Season & Steam Artichokes

Ocean Mist has been providing customers with the convenience of its Season & Steam products for several years now, but now the company is putting its hallmark product, artichokes, in its innovative microwaveable packaging. Introducing Season & Steam Microwaveable Artichokes, promising a perfecting cooked artichoke in just seven minutes. For someone who gets intimidated by the thought of cooking artichokes but loves the taste, this solution is one that has stuck in my mind since spotting it on the show floor.

Taylor Farms Chopped Salad Kits

Yes, you’re probably familiar with Taylor Farm’s Chopped Salad Kits, but the company has introduced one of its newest flavors— it's Greek Chopped Salad. Taylor Farms is a company that always knows how to take you to a destination with its flavors, and this variety is no exception, taking your mouth on a trip to the Greek Islands.

Ippolito’s Value-Added Brussels Sprouts

Ippolito has been doing Brussels Spouts for a while, but with this foray into value-added products, the company is really hitting its stride. Available shredded, halved, petite, or with full sprouts, each offering can be fully microwaved in the bag, taking the guesswork out of how consumers can get the perfect flavor. If this is the direction Ippolito will be going, I’m excited to see what’s next.

RFG’s Juicing Kits

I buy a lot of fresh pressed juices and the prices really start to add up. I’d love to be able to see the exact amount of each fruit or veggie I should put into each juice, and this product definitely helps with that. RFG’s Juicing Kit each offer one 8-oz. cup of fresh juice in seven different flavors, capitalizing on the growing demand for cold-pressed juices. Definitely something to keep your eye out for.

Church Brothers Baby Kale Medley

Church Brothers introduced a new item at the show this year: a Baby Kale Medley. I’m a sucker for any healthy kale mix and throwing arugula into the mix takes up the flavor power by giving it that signature peppery kick. Now available for the foodservice industry in a 3x1-pound bag, this is definitely something I'd love to start seeing more of on the menu in restaurants as a healthy and flavor-packed option.

My first Southern Exposure definitely did not disappoint. Thanks to SEPC and all the companies I had the chance to visit with. And stay tuned for more favorite picks coming soon!

SEPC