SEPC Event: From Fields to Families — And Everything In Between
From petting a donkey… to debating AI in meal planning… to pickleball rallies between meetings — SEPC Southern Exposure 2026 proved once again that produce is unlike any other industry.
Held February 26–28 (with events through March 1) at the Orlando World Center Marriott, this year’s Southeast Produce Council event centered around the theme:
“From Fields To Families: Nourishing Our Nation.”
And that message carried through every session, conversation, and handshake.
Faith. Family. Farming. Future.
SEPC’s Southern Exposure isn’t just a trade show — it’s a reflection of the culture that drives the produce industry. From the Al Finch Memorial Prayer Breakfast to the Next Generation Leadership Academy, the focus remained clear: this industry is built on relationships as much as logistics.
Bryan Barsness, Business Development Director for Prophet’s North American operations, attended to connect with growers, shippers, distributors, and retail partners navigating a rapidly evolving landscape.
Conversations this year moved beyond volume and pricing — they centered on:
AI in meal planning and consumer personalization
Generational shifts in produce purchasing habits
Sustainability initiatives across the supply chain
Operational efficiency from field to fork
Supported by research from Yerecic Label and SEPC, the data underscored one reality: produce companies must evolve as quickly as the consumers they serve.
The Big Barn Show (And Yes, The Donkey)
“The Big Barn Show” expo floor delivered exactly what its name promises — energy, color, innovation, and a few unexpected moments.
Between booth visits and strategy discussions, Bryan even found time to meet one of the show’s most patient attendees — a donkey who quickly became one of the most photographed personalities of the event.
Because that’s the thing about Southern Exposure.
It blends business with authenticity.
Strategy with storytelling.
Technology with tradition.
And yes — even a little pickleball competition on the side.
Leadership That Resonates
The sold-out Keynote Brunch on February 28 featured leadership expert John Maxwell, who spoke on influence, intentional growth, and legacy — themes that resonated strongly with an industry balancing heritage with modernization.
Produce remains one of the most people-driven sectors in food. The conversations at SEPC reinforced that innovation doesn’t replace relationships — it strengthens them.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Southern Exposure will return to Orlando March 4–7, 2027.
If 2026 showed us anything, it’s this:
The produce industry is not standing still.
It is adapting. Investing. Evolving.
And doing it while staying deeply rooted in community.
Prophet is proud to support that evolution across North America.