GARDNERS, PA - Who’s ready to visit the Sunshine State next month? I know Rice Fruit Company is, as the team is ramping up for its exhibition at Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) Southern Exposure. Brenda Briggs, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the fruit company, took some time to chat with me about what’s to come at the event.

“SEPC’s Southern Exposure is held at a great time of the year. In Pennsylvania, we’re in the midst of winter, so we’re looking forward to this trip south to warm up and visit with colleagues and customers,” Brenda told me. “Visit us at booth #320, where our team will be available to discuss our spring apple programs.”

Once again, Rice Fruit is sponsoring the Southern Roots Women’s Luncheon during SEPC Southern Exposure, featuring keynote speaker Heather “Lucky” Penney.

“The theme behind the women’s luncheon, lifting others up and celebrating each other’s successes, it’s something we feel very passionate about. We are very fortunate to work with a fantastic team of people, each of whom contributes a unique set of strengths and talents. As a family company, the team serves as each other’s sounding boards, support systems, and mentors,” Brenda explained.

Brenda continued, “We are fortunate to be led by a fierce advocate for success and development—our President, Ben Rice. We know not all women across our industry are fortunate enough to have an internal support structure as we do, so supporting the luncheon is an excellent way for us to show our company-wide support for women in produce, cultivate new relationships, and make new connections within the industry. There is palpable energy when you gather a group of women who have been lifted up by one another into the ranks of success, and we hope all women attending Southern Exposure will have the opportunity to feel for themselves the power of this community.”

As Brenda noted, Southern Exposure is the perfect opportunity for Rice Fruit to showcase its apple varieties and fruit packing capabilities. With extensive innovation and technology, the company can store, pack, and market a complete portfolio of varieties through the spring and into the summer months while offering service and professional expertise to customers’ apple programs.

“Rice Fruit Company is a family-run fruit packing business founded in 1913 by Arthur Rice, celebrating our 110^th anniversary this year!” Brenda outlined as our conversation came to a close. “We pack and market eastern-grown apples for about 40 farm families. Our Pennsylvania location on the easternmost ridge of the Appalachian Mountains is an ideal microclimate for many of our growers to produce the sweet-natured fruit we’re known for, and gives us quick access to major eastern markets.”

Be sure to swing by booth #320 for more from Rice Fruit Company!

Rice Fruit Company