TAMPA, FL - Competing in today's dynamic retail environment requires supplier partners who understand the pace of change, have the drive to innovate, and who interact with today’s evolving consumer. Mucci Farms is one such company. As we approach Southeast Produce Council's (SEPC) Southern Exposure event, the company is fine-tuning its program for the region’s best of the best.

“Our goal at Southern Exposure is to emphasize our ability to support retail partners from seed to retail. We want to stress that we offer a full category assortment with a wide variety of award-winning snacking options,” Steve Zaccardi, Senior Director of Sales, shares with me. “The industry is moving at such a rapid pace; if you aren’t focused on innovation, you won’t be able to keep up with the growing demands of our industry. With innovation at the forefront of our priorities, our R&D team is leading the way in identifying rugose-resistant varieties that maintain our premium flavor and production standards.”

For Mucci Farms, innovation isn’t just a pillar, a buzzword, or a box to check, it’s the lifeblood of the organization.

“We love to partner with retailers that share our commitment to innovating the world of fresh produce,” Steve adds, before diving into some of the highlights such retailers will encounter in Tampa, Florida. “Our featured item is our new Savorries Sweet Strawberry Tomatoes. They are a unique variety in the sense that it’s a tomato, shaped like a strawberry, with a sweet and savory flavor profile. We are also showcasing our Sapori sweet cocktail tomatoes with a new and improved seed variety that we are excited to share with attendees.”

Savorries, while one of a group of innovative greenhouse-grown products, is the perfect example of how Mucci Farms goes to market. Not only is it beautiful aesthetically, but it also has versatility that consumers will enjoy. Savorries can be served as an appetizer or added to a variety of different dishes that need that extra burst of flavor and color.

As we look to the March 7-9 event, Stephen Cowan, Director of Retail Sales, also shares with me the continued value of such a well-attended regional event.

“What we love about this show is that it’s set up in a way that allows us to squarely focus on building relationships with current and prospective clients,” Stephen says. “In our experience, the intimate nature of the show makes for much easier dialogue and a sense of community within the industry. The Florida weather in March certainly helps!”

Mark your calendars for SEPC Southern Exposure and a trip to Mucci Farms booth #438. See you all in Tampa!