ORLANDO, FL - The Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) Southern Exposure 2020 was a major way for the industry to gather and celebrate everything fresh this year, and Produce for Kids added on a momentous reason to cheer. The organization shared its 2019 success with produce partners this past Friday evening at the annual Produce for Kids reception, encouraging the room of nearly 200 attendees to “Make a Difference,” the overarching theme for the trade show this year.

“Our 360-degree approach to all of our programs continues to allow us to create omnichannel campaigns, designed to authentically include health-conscious brands and boost sales,” Trish James, Vice President of Produce for Kids and CMO of Shuman Farms, stated to the crowd. “Whether consumers are inspired by one of our recipes, find comfort by one of our podcast episodes, or motivated to add that extra produce item to their market basket, we are a trusted resource for them, making a difference in their lives.”

According to a press release, cause marketing buzz continues around programs that have raised $7 million for families in need. Guests were encouraged again this year to use the hashtag #WhatsYourCause throughout the reception and remainder of Southern Exposure. The cause marketing theme kicked off at the reception and continued at the Produce for Kids booth where a fruit and veggie “Where’s Waldo” find allowed show goers to locate six fruit and veggie characters in a large piece of art. Guests were granted a vote for their SEPC Cares charity of choice once identified. At the end of the show Saturday, Produce for Kids awarded the charity with the most votes, Paul Anderson Youth Home, $500 to support the show’s “Make a Difference” theme.

John Shuman, President and CEO of Shuman Farms and Founder of Produce for Kids, opened the reception, and Matt Spence, Chief Programs Officer at Feeding America® food bank Feeding Tampa Bay, addressed the audience in regards to the state of childhood hunger in the Tampa area and benefits from the Produce for Kids Publix campaigns.

Large donation checks were presented for each 2019 retail program including Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) Springfield Division, Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) Gulf Coast Division, Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) Oklahoma Division, Military Produce Group, and Publix Super Markets as well as digital programs Power Your Lunchbox and Mission for Nutrition.

2020 programs include AWG Springfield Division, AWG Oklahoma Division, AWG Gulf Coast Division, Giant, MDI, Military Produce Group, and Publix Super Markets. In addition to these in-store campaigns, Mission for Nutrition launched on March 1 and the seventh annual Power Your Lunchbox program will launch in August 2020 to kick off the school year.

AndNowUKnow will continue reporting on the latest.

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