MILLEN, GA – Produce is an ever-changing horizon, with new challenges popping up regularly and new innovations just within reach to keep this colorful industry vitalized. With its annual Southern Innovations expo, Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) looks to tap in on these very aspects, empowering produce professionals at every step towards success.

This year, the 2017 Southern Innovations Organics & Foodservice Expo has tapped the Emmy award-winning TV host, chef, and New York Times bestselling author Daphne Oz as its keynote speaker. Hoping to connect her deep history with health and wellness to that of the industry’s, I spoke to Daphne about her upcoming speech and what attendees can expect.

“I plan to discuss the burgeoning awareness and demand around organic food options,” Daphne begins. “That is, what the term ‘organic’ means to the consumer, why organic food options are more important now than before, and what consumers really care about.”

Daphne will draw upon her experience with the food entertainment world since entering it in 2011 and examine how the consumer landscape has changed in the last six years with more emphasis being placed on organic producers. No matter her audience, Daphne says her goal is to help her audience navigate, create, and understand a balanced life of health, beauty, and happiness.

“I hope industry members will gain some insight into what their consumers actually care about and pay attention to, and how they can best those needs,” Daphne tells me.

Daphne will also share recipe tips and tricks with the industry during her the Keynote Breakfast on Friday, September 29, from 7:30 – 9:45 a.m. This focus on preparation will tie together consumer engagement with the cornerstone of her brand; to make cooking at home fun and festive for everyone.

“I share healthy takes on comfort classics, family favorites, and unintimidating but exotic new dishes as a way to help empower families to put health and flavor on the same plate,” Daphne says.

A graduate of Princeton University, Daphne has also bolstered her understanding of health and eating with degrees from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and the Natural Gourmet Institute. Daphne’s most current book, The Happy Cook: 125 Recipes for Eating Every Day Like It’s the Weekend is available now.

Looking to be a part of the creativity and insights to be gleaned from this year’s Southern Innovations? Join the SEPC, AndNowUKnow, and your favorite produce friends at this year’s event from September 28-30 in Hilton Head, SC.

To find out more about the 2017 Southern Innovations Organics & Foodservice Expo, click here.

As the event gets closer, continue to count on AndNowUKnow for all the latest coverage.

Southeast Produce Council