GLENNVILLE, GA - Southeast Produce Council's (SEPC) Southern Innovations sets itself apart amid industry events. For Bland Farms, it’s an opportunity to share, connect, and gain as many insights as it gives. As Troy Bland, Chief Executive Officer, recently told me, it’s as much about listening as it is about showcasing what’s next.

“Southern Innovations is one of the best chances buyers have to see what’s next in fresh produce. It’s not just about showcasing what we’re doing—it’s about learning from others in the industry too. You’ve got growers, retailers, and innovators all in one room, and there’s always something new to take home,” Troy said. “For us, it’s a time to share how we’re raising the bar with sweet onions and sweet potatoes, but just as important, it’s a chance to listen. We want to hear directly from retailers about what’s working in their stores, what their customers are asking for, and how we can support them.”

The timing lines up perfectly to showcase both Bland Farms’ Premium Sweet Onions from Peru and Sand Candy® Sweet Potatoes—each of which shows the grower’s commitment and care to its products.

“Our Premium Sweet Onions from Peru come from the Century variety, which is nearly identical to the Vidalia® variety we grow here in Georgia. About 95 percent of the onions grown in Peru are the Century. They’ve got the same flat shape and mild, sweet flavor—if you cut one open and taste it next to a Vidalia, most folks wouldn’t know the difference,” Troy explained. “Sand Candy is special because it’s built on partnership. We teamed up with Battleboro Produce in North Carolina, and that collaboration gives us an edge—it lets us bring sweet potatoes to market a little earlier than most and keep pace with growing demand. Between our teams, you’ve got decades of farming know-how and the marketing strength to support our retail partners.”

With "innovations" specifically spotlighted at the upcoming show, Troy also shared with me how Bland Farms is always looking at how technology can help boost efficiency and sustainability while delivering a better product.

“On the packing side, we’ve modernized our lines so onions move directly from the sizer into consumer packs without extra handling. It sounds simple, but it saves time, reduces waste, and improves consistency,” Troy said. “Out in the fields, we’re excited about tools like Carbon Robotics’ laser weeder. We had a chance to demo that technology for our Organic Vidalia Crop this year. It uses advanced AI and lasers to target weeds without herbicides. For us, that’s a big step forward—especially in organics, where weed pressure is one of the toughest challenges. Less stress on the plants, fewer chemicals in the soil, and healthier yields all around.”

Bland Farms has also invested in climate control, implementing systems like glycol systems to heat or cool different areas of the packing house as needed. The result is onions drying faster and with better precision.

Leaning into regenerative practices such as conservation tillage, water management, and biodiversity enhancement, Bland Farms aims for zero food waste. Additional moves include:

• Consolidating from 77 compressors to 3
• Cutting forklift emissions by moving to electric
• Reduced plastic use in bags by 80 percent
• 335,000 trees and 138 million gallons saved over the last decade
• Each onion used, either sold whole, processed into Vidalia Brands products, or returned to the soil as natural fertilizer

“Beyond the bells and whistles, it all ties back to stewardship. At the end of the day, these aren’t just innovations for the sake of technology—they’re practical steps that let us farm smarter, take care of the land, and keep delivering the sweet onions our customers love,” Troy states, a reflection that aligns well with Southern Innovations’ culture. “The value of this show is that you don’t just walk away with handshakes—you walk away with ideas and tools you can put to work right away. Whether it’s improving your produce sets, meeting consumer demand, or finding new ways to cross-merchandise, Southern Innovations creates those conversations—and we’re grateful to be part of it.”

By pairing cutting-edge technology with time-honored growing expertise, wrapped in a family feel as sweet as its product, Bland Farms’ is a vision that fits perfectly with the spirit of Southern Innovations. Be sure to experience this for yourself by visiting booth #307 Friday, September 12, in Charlotte, North Carolina.