Author: cenergy-gfullen

  • Our 2024 SFPA Convention Registration Is Now Open

    Our 2024 SFPA Convention Registration Is Now Open

    Top Speakers, Networking Galore Coming Oct. 22–24
    Emeline Hotel, Charleston SC

    The Emeline is one of Charleston’s most beautiful boutique hotels, including its courtyard.
    The Emeline is one of Charleston’s most beautiful boutique hotels, including its courtyard.

    The historic Emeline Hotel at 181 Church Street in downtown Charleston, SC, has a storied past. Over more than a century, the address has been home to everything from a grocery business, restaurant, and a bank. Inspired by its namesake, a ship captain’s daughter who brought life back to Charleston’s downtown in the pre-WWII era, the Emeline Hotel is home to a new generation of Southern luxury. On October 22–24, the Emeline Hotel will be home to the 2024 Southeastern Food Processors Association’s Convention.

    “The hotel is a wonderful example of Southern elegance that our board of directors think will be long remembered as great location for our convention,” says Kay Rentzel, Executive Director of the SFPA.

    Last year, we moved the dates of the convention to mid-week, allowing members to attend and free up their weekend to stay a bit longer in beautiful Hilton Head. This year, the Tuesday evening start with a President’s Welcome Reception (6–8 pm) in the courtyard of the hotel will kick off convention activities followed by dinner on your own and Charleston nightlife. The always loved SFPA Hospitality Suite opens each evening at 9 pm at the hotel.

    A look at Emeline Hotel’s lobby.
    A look at Emeline Hotel’s lobby.

    Wednesday’s keynote speaker of the general session will be Chris Kuehl, Managing Director of Armada Corporate Intelligence with an economic outlook for American business. He is a noted economist who provides strategic guidance for a variety of corporate clients and business organizations. John Rost of Crown Holdings will update members on global sustainability and regulatory affairs developments of importance to SFPA members.

    This year’s golf tournament is set for Mt. Pleasant’s Rivertowne Country Club, the Charleston area’s only Arnold Palmer signature course.

    The Rivertowne Country Club course is situated among scenic marshlands in Mt. Pleasant.
    The Rivertowne Country Club course is situated among scenic marshlands in Mt. Pleasant.

    Wednesday evening (6–7:30 pm) a hospitality reception will be held at the hotel then members can dine elsewhere with friends.

    Thursday’s general session begins with the announcement of SFPA Scholarship recipients followed by Gene Faller of Food Lion with a look at the retailer’s perspective on today’s shopper and the outlook for 2025. Constitution Partners will take a look at bills affecting the food industry on Capitol Hill.

    U.S. Navy Commander (ret.) Porter Halyburton.
    U.S. Navy Commander (ret.) Porter Halyburton.

    The session will close with a presentation by Porter Halyburton, a retired U.S. Navy Commander who was a prisoner of war in North Vietnam from 1965 until 1973. His experience has been chronicled in numerous films and publications. His own book, Reflections on Captivity, was published in 2022, and his book of poetry, Old Pine, was published last year. Members will have the afternoon for lunch and optional tour of Charleston concluding with an open door reception at the home of long-time SFPA member Marion Swink’s residence on the Battery.

    The reception, banquet, and scholarship auction begin at 6 pm.

    Registration for this year’s convention is $650 for SFPA members. Spouse and guest registration is $350. For non-SFPA members, early bird registration is $1,050, after September 15th, the fee is $1,150. You can register now online at https://members.sfpafood.org/events

    At the link, you can also register for the convention golf tournament. You will find a link to the hotel’s website to make your reservation for the event as well.

  • Invite New Food Processors As Members Of The SFPA

    Invite New Food Processors As Members Of The SFPA

    A new easy to send PDF is now available for SFPA members to send to food processors to invite them to join the association is now available. The colorful document provides and overview on the value of SPFA membership and invites them to join the association and how they can join.

    Part of the new SPFA Food Processor Invitation available for you to send to potential members.Part of the new SPFA Food Processor Invitation available for you to send to potential members.

    “Let’s grow the membership of food processors to the many benefits we offer,” says Bob Cloney, SFPA President. “If you are currently working with or are friends with other food processors who aren’t currently members, we ask that you send them this colorful document and personally ask them to join the SFPA. It’s an important step in the continued growth of our organization.”

    You can download the invitation easily, then send it to your targeted food processor. Go to https://sfpafood.org/join-the-sfpa/ and click on download, then send the invitation to food processors you know today.

  • U.S. Cabinet Member Visits Garner Foods

    U.S. Cabinet Member Visits Garner Foods

    Garner Foods CEO Ann Riddle and CFO Matt McCollum hosted U.S. Trade Ambassador Katherine Tai to the company’s headquarters in Winston-Salem.

    U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai visited Ann Riddle and Matt McCollum at Garner Foods during her tour of the Piedmont area March 21st. As a member of the President’s Cabinet, Ambassador Tai is the principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on U.S. trade policy.

    Garner Foods briefed Ambassador Tai on its operations and product line as a family owned and operated food manufacturer with two nationally recognized brands, Texas Pete® and Green Mountain Gringo®.

    “We were pleased that Ambassador Tai selected Garner Foods for a stop along her busy tour of the Piedmont region,” says Ann Riddle. “We discussed the importance of foreign trade for food manufacturers and opportunities for expanding sales beyond our borders for Garner Foods and other food manufacturers in the Carolinas.”

  • SFPA Board Meets In Greensboro. Looks Ahead To 2024 Convention.

    SFPA Board Meets In Greensboro. Looks Ahead To 2024 Convention.

    (L-R) Executive Director Kay Rentzel, Jack Haddock (Board Member) of Crown, Mike Williams of iPack (Board Member), Rose Timmer of Rose Timmer Associates (Board Member), Cecilia Brock SFPA Vice President of Sauer Brands, Gray Sherrill of MG Newell (Board Member), Tony Treadway of Creative Energy (Board Advisor) and Bob Cloney, SFPA President of Elite Spice. Not pictured by participating, Craig Jonkers SFPA Treasurer of Liventus, Matt McCollum (SFPA Past President) of Garner Foods, Todd Schultz (SFPA 2nd Vice President) of Bush Bros., Ron Sonntag (Board Member) of Boone Brands and Scott Whiteside of Clemson (Board Advisor).

    On March 21st, MG Newell’s Gray Sherrill hosted SFPA board members to the company’s Greensboro, NC facility for a recap of the association’s 2023 convention and to look ahead at the upcoming convention in Charleston, SC.

    Bob Cloney, Vice-President of Sales for Elite Spice and President of SFPA presided over the meeting of board members and advisors in-person and via video conference. Craig Jonkers of Liventus and association Treasurer covered the association’s finances that continues to be in good standing as well as income from the 2023 convention held in Hilton Head Island. The 2023 convention generated profit for the association and saw a 37% increase in attendance over the previous convention held in Tennessee.

    Survey responses to events held during the 2023 convention held in Hilton Head Island.
    Survey responses to events held during the 2023 convention held in Hilton Head Island.

    A survey following the convention found that 100% of attendees said that it met their expectations with high marks overall for events held. Todd Schultz, Chairman of the Convention Golf Tournament of Bush Brothers noted the high attendance at the tournament that involved half of member attendees.

    The convention also raised $11,633 allocated for the SFPA Scholarship Fund.

    This year’s convention to be held at the boutique Emeline Hotel in downtown Charleston, SC October 22-24 is likewise projected to be a big success. Members applauded last year’s shift of convention dates to mid-week instead of weekend dates to free up time for members to return home or spend extra time in a tourism mecca such as Charleston.

    Board members interact via video conference during the March meeting.
    Board members interact via video conference during the March meeting.

    “The location is important in driving attendance and Charleston is a gem to visit,” says Bob Cloney. “The Emeline is a beautiful location that is centrally located in the heart of one of the most vibrant cities in the South.”

    Board members discussed outreach to speakers for the two general sessions of the convention as well as the off-site golf tournament and other events during the convention to be held at the hotel.

    This year’s registration will see an increase in price to cover charges related to the use of credit cards. “We experienced significant costs in credit card fees for registration, sponsorships, and the golf tournament,” says Jonkers. “We understand the convenience of using a credit card compared to the effort to have a paper check written and mailed in to cover costs and want to maintain the convenience for our members. We are likewise looking for alternatives to reduce those costs to the association.”

    Early bird registration for the 2024 convention will be $595 for members who will register before August 1st for the October convention and $695 after August 1st. Non-member prices will be $1,095 which includes the one-year membership fee into the SFPA. Registration will be available online at SFPAFood.org beginning May 1st. Additional information will be made available on sponsorships, general session speakers and the golf tournament as planning is finalized. Mark your calendars to attended and experience one of the great historic cities in America.

  • SFPA University 2024 Launches With Three Important Webinar Sessions

    SFPA University 2024 Launches With Three Important Webinar Sessions

    Important Learning For Plant & Management Personnel

    Clemson Professor Scott Whiteside to lead three important SFPA University learning events.

    Mark your calendars and tell us you want to participate in three SFPA University webinars coming in the first half of 2024. Led by Professor Scott Whiteside of Clemson University, the sessions will be of particular interest to plant personnel as well as those involved in product and packaging integrity.

    SFPA University is an important benefit of SFPA offering free learning sessions for its member company’s employees. The sessions are offered online to reduce travel time and costs associated with off-site training. Each session is offered at 2pm EDT enabling plant personnel shift workers to end their workday with the learning session or second shift personnel to view. The sessions will also be recorded for use anytime following the session. Last year’s online sessions involving human resources drew more than 70 participants as several members gathered employees in groups to participate in the sessions.

    This year, SFPA Associate or Processor members can sponsor an SFPA University session at $300 per session. Each sponsorship will include the company’s logo and a description of the sponsor’s services and their benefits to SFPA members. Contact Kay Rentzel (kayrentzel@sfpafood.org) at least two weeks prior to an SFPA session if you are interested.

    Session One, April 24th, 2pm – Food Safety Insights, FSMA

    The first learning session of the year will cover important updates and insights on food safety and the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). “Nothing is more important than assuring that the foods we provide to consumers is safe,” says Scott Whiteside. This session will cover the key components of assuring food safety, recent examples of how food contamination case studies and an update to the latest advancements in FSMA.

    About 48 million people in the U.S. (1 in 6) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die each year from foodborne diseases, according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is a significant public health burden that is largely preventable.

    “Few things can be more damaging to a food company’s reputation than being responsible for getting people sick or having a recall due to a food safety issue,” Whiteside says. “This session will be an important one.”

    Session Two, May 24th, 2pm – Shelf Life Study Design

    “At Clemson, we get a lot of questions from food manufacturers involving how to determine the shelf life of their products and how to extend shelf life, especially those that involve flexible packaging,” say Whiteside. “This session will cover the multiple factors involved in the degradation of foods in packaging and how to design a shelf life methodology for particular products manufactured by our processor members.” This session will be of particular interest in those involved in packaging, research and development and new product development.

    Session Three July 17th, 2pm – Packaging Integrity

    “We have an entire laboratory at Clemson dedicated to testing package integrity, so our insights are unique on the topic,” says Whiteside. This session will offer important information on how to protect products from transport damage which can save SFPA member processors a lot of money each year. The session will be of particular interest to those who select or procure packaging materials and those involved in packaging within a plant and logistics.

    Contact Kay Rentzel To Sign Up For These SFPA University Sessions!

    Be sure to contact SFPA Executive Director Kay Rentzel at kayrentzel@sfpafood.org to sign up your company’s personnel or to sign up as an individual for any or all of these three sessions that kicks off the first part of 2024’s SFPA University sessions that are absolutely free to members.

  • 2024 SFPA Scholarship Applications Now Available

    2024 SFPA Scholarship Applications Now Available

    Deadline Set For May 15th

    2024 SFPA Scholarship applications are now available from our website.

    One of the exceptional benefits of your SFPA membership is to provide opportunities for college scholarships to the children of your employees through the association. This year’s scholarship applications are now available with the deadline for submissions set for May 15th.

    “We offer multiple scholarships to students who apply each year and look forward to reviewing this year’s applicants,” says Cecilia Brock, Chairman of the association’s scholarship committee.

    Two types of scholarships are offered each year by the SFPA. Most notable is the Employee/Child Scholarship that enables the child to attend any accredited college with any major of study. This is a significant benefit, especially for plant workers who may be more interested in financial support for their child’s post-secondary education. Senior management at SFPA member companies will be provided with an electronic file of posters (one English, one in Spanish) that can be printed and posted in plant and office lunchrooms and bulletin boards. The posters offer information on how to download the scholarship application on the SFPA website and a QR Code to access the application via a smartphone.

    Students are asked to complete the application form and e-mail the form to Executive Director Kay Rentzel by midnight May 15th.

    A second scholarship is available to students in the Food Sciences and intended for universities aligned with southern states including North Carolina State, University of Tennessee, University of Georgia, Clemson University and University of Alabama. This scholarship is intended to further the valuable talent pool of food science graduates that can benefit SFPA member companies who may hire them as employees. Both the Employee/Child and the Food Science Scholarship applications are available now at https://sfpafood.org/scholarships/. 

    Winners of the 2024 scholarships will be contacted prior to the SFPA’s annual convention and announced to the association’s membership at the event.

  • Here’s Why Our Newest Food Processor Joined The SFPA

    Here’s Why Our Newest Food Processor Joined The SFPA

    Seaside Grown

    The Seaside Grown story is an amazing one of a member of a multi-generational family farm on a unique mission to grow his family’s legacy by branching out on his own but continuing to generate commerce from the land. Gus Sanders believed that the sandy soil and salty air of Saint Helena Island, just across from Hilton Head Island, was a great place to grow the best tomatoes. That was back in 1903. Six generations later, his great, great, grandson continues to refine and reinvent that legacy.

    A sketch of original founder Gus Sanders and current fifth-generation entrepreneur and family farmer Ross Taylor.
    A sketch of original founder Gus Sanders and current fifth-generation entrepreneur and family farmer Ross Taylor.

    Today, Gus’ family farm will ship more than 20 million pounds of fresh tomatoes up and down the east coast… just in a single month in June. Now, fifth-generation founder entrepreneur, Ross Taylor, and his new partner, Nikolaus Lischerong, have begun to produce their consumer products under the Seaside Grown label that ranges from bloody Mary mix to BBQ sauce, salsa and more sold online and at grocers, restaurants, and other retailers across the East coast. He is also offering to other fellow family farmers the opportunity to sell their products to Seaside Grown to be marketed via his own brand or as an ingredient within his products if they match up to his company’s commitment to traceability and sustainability.

    “We’ve come a long way in the past five years in connecting with other family farmers to help them and Seaside Grown succeed,” says Ross Taylor. “Five years from now, we want to move toward value-added produce. We want to maintain our focus on sustainability by incorporating vegetables and fruits that might not meet processor specifications but can be use in other ways, preserving the environment by not wasting the food through disposal. It will also help the bottom lines of our family farmer partners.”

    Just some of the tomato-based products from Seaside Grown.
    Just some of the tomato-based products from Seaside Grown.

    So why did this successful company take time out to join the SFPA? We asked.

    “I’ve known Thomas Hunter from McCall Farms since college and respect him as a major processor,” Ross says. “When he asked that I join the SFPA and explained the benefits I had to say yes, and I’m glad that I did.”

     

    “If you are an emerging brand in the food business in the Southeast, joining the SFPA is a smart choice.”

    Ross Taylor
    Fifth-Generation Founder
    Seaside Grown 

     

    “When I attended the Hilton Head Island convention, I learned a lot and got to know folks from other significant manufacturers,” Ross explains. “Members didn’t view me as a competitor, but someone that they can help grow their business. At the general sessions, I witnessed experts sharing knowledge on important topics to my company. The economy, what’s going on Capitol Hill, new forms of packaging and processing technology are all important topics for me. I am so glad I joined the SFPA and look forward to joining everyone in Charleston next year. If you are an emerging brand in the food business in the Southeast, joining the SFPA is a smart choice.”

    Taylor represents the next generation of food processors who are joining the SFPA to learn, engage and network with like-minded processors and suppliers with larger, more established companies who began their journey with the association decades before. The opportunity is likewise one of the best deals in professional organizations.

    Beyond the obvious networking opportunities, they also receive free online training opportunities for themselves or their staff via SFPA University. The training covers plant safety, process optimization, management, and human resources. Members can offer their plant or field workers who are employees the opportunity for their children to apply for SFPA scholarships. The association regularly briefs its members on pending legislation or regulations that affect their business and serve as advocates to Capitol Hill. The SFPA Food Forum e-newsletter shares stories and insights with members throughout the year. The annual convention is likewise filled with educational sessions and opportunities to network. All for just $400 for an annual membership.

    If you are a food processor who shares the vision of a thriving future for food processors in the Southeast, learn more or sign up as a member. Your first step is to learn more through the association’s website, then join us as an SFPA member. If you have questions, contact Executive Director Kay Rentzel or give her a call at (717) 329-8421.

     

     

  • Hilton Head Hosts Good Times at the 2023 SFPA Convention!

    Hilton Head Hosts Good Times at the 2023 SFPA Convention!

    One of the Southeastern Food Processors Association’s (SFPA) best attended annual conventions in the past half-decade was a fun reunion of some of the South’s top food brands. Held at the Sonesta Resort on Hilton Head Island, 123 members and guests gathered for two full days of learning, fellowship, and fundraising for educational scholarships.

    SFPA President Bob Cloney of Elite Spice kicks off the first day’s general session.
    SFPA President Bob Cloney of Elite Spice kicks off the first day’s general session.

    “We tested a new approach to the convention this year, and I think everyone loved it,” says SFPA President Bob Cloney. “We began the convention on Wednesday and concluded Friday night so that members could head home Saturday morning or spend extra days at one of America’s top beach destinations.” Previous conventions began on Thursday and ended on Saturday night.

    SERG Group President Alan Wolf shares the story of his multi-concept restaurant operation on Hilton Head Island.
    SERG Group President Alan Wolf shares the story of his multi-concept restaurant operation on Hilton Head Island.

    General session speakers during the convention covered the gamut from consumer trends to new packaging innovations, America’s financial picture to what is fermenting on Capitol Hill that can impact food processors. Members also heard from SERG Restaurant Group’s President, Alan Wolf about the low country’s top multi-concept restaurant operator with 15 different restaurants all operated by a single company.

    Keynote speaker Ray Starling, general counsel for the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce and author provided some perspective on the question of who will call the shots for the future of farming and food systems in the U.S. and beyond.
    Keynote speaker Ray Starling, general counsel for the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce and author provided some perspective on the question of who will call the shots for the future of farming and food systems in the U.S. and beyond.
    Food processors spend time learning about new product solutions from SFPA Associate members during multiple breaks during general sessions.
    Food processors spend time learning about new product solutions from SFPA Associate members during multiple breaks during general sessions.

    This year’s SFPA Scholarship winners were announced by the association’s First Vice-President, Cecilia Brock, with $5,500 in scholarships going to five applicants, four of which were children of SFPA member company employees. Winners were Emily Abernathy who will attend Northeast State Community College (Moody Dunbar), Braedan Barrett, attending Maryville College (MG Newell), Grace Smith, a student at Elon (MG Newell), and Christopher Weller, at UNC-Greensboro (Garner Foods). A Food Science Scholarship was awarded to Heather Mohn, a senior at NC State.

    Two members of the 1st place golf tourney winners, Marion Plumb of Garner Foods, and Todd Meadows of IPC Packaging & Automation.
    Two members of the 1st place golf tourney winners, Marion Plumb of Garner Foods, and Todd Meadows of IPC Packaging & Automation.
    2nd Place Team members included Steve DeCorte of Sopako, Thomas Hunter, McCall Farms and Mark Lutgens of Crown Food Packaging.
    2nd Place Team members included Steve DeCorte of Sopako, Thomas Hunter, McCall Farms and Mark Lutgens of Crown Food Packaging.

    Thursday’s annual golf tournament saw a significant turn out with prizes going to the top three teams.

    Here are the results from this year’s competition:

    1st Place

    • Chandler Rickman
    • Nick Hammer
    • Marion Plumb
    • Todd Meadows

     

    2nd Place

    • Mark Lutgens
    • Thomas Hunter
    • Eric Crowder
    • Steve DeCorte

     

    3rd Place

    • Tony Lopez
    • Matt McCollum
    • Dan Riesenberg
    • Cecilia Brock

     

    Longest Drive

    • Thomas Hunter

     

    Closest To The Pin

    • Patrick McKinney

     

    New board members were welcomed during the convention, including:

    2024 SFPA Board of Directors

    • Bob Cloney, Elite Spice, President
    • Cecilia Brock, Sauer Brands, 1st Vice President
    • Todd Schultz, Bush Brothers, 2nd Vice-President
    • Craig Jonkers, Liventus, Treasurer
    • Matt McCollum, Garner Foods, Immediate Past President
    • Jack Haddock, Crown Food Packaging, Member
    • Gerald Lambert, Garner Foods, Member
    • Gray Sherrill, MG Newell Corp., Member
    • Ron Sonntag, Boone Brands, Member
    • Rose Timmer, Rose Timmer & Assoc., Member
    • Mike Williams, IPS Packaging & Automation, Member
    • Tony Treadway, Creative Energy, Advisor
    • Scott Whiteside, Clemson University, Advisor

     

    Hayward Garner took home the year’s Henry rifle as part of the benefit raffle for SFPA scholarships.
    Hayward Garner took home the year’s Henry rifle as part of the benefit raffle for SFPA scholarships.

    The annual auction that funds SFPA scholarships raised $10,015, with the raffle for jewelry and the Henry rifle was its usual hit with Hayward Garner taking home the firearm.

    Celebration was the theme of a fun night during the annual SFPA Banquet.
    Celebration was the theme of a fun night during the annual SFPA Banquet.
    Dancing broke out at the conclusion of the convention, celebrating a great time with good friends.
    Dancing broke out at the conclusion of the convention, celebrating a great time with good friends.

    The convention ended with some members donning hilarious outfits for selfies and the deejay turned up the volume on some dance tunes as members hit the floor to celebrate the end of the 2023 convention.

    In wrapping up the convention, Executive Director Kay Rentzel sent surveys to attendees and here’s what they had to say…

    • “Had an amazing time at the SFPA conference. Thanks so much for making me feel like a long-time member. Thanks again, and I’m looking forward to next year’s event in Charleston.”  – Todd S.
    • “What a fantastic group.  My wife and I had such a nice time at the event and getting to know a few of the members.  I look forward to becoming more involved and to attending the event next year.”  – Michael D.
    • “Great meeting you and the team in Hilton Head, and we are looking forward to the next meeting.”  – Steve F.

     

    Hotel Emeline. Home for the 2024 SFPA Convention, Oct. 22–24 in Charleston, SC.
    Hotel Emeline. Home for the 2024 SFPA Convention, Oct. 22–24 in Charleston, SC.

    Now is the time to mark your calendars for the next convention coming October 22–24 in Charleston, SC where members will gather at the sheik Hotel Emeline, a boutique hotel located in the heart of Charleston’s downtown shopping district.

  • Don’t Miss Our Southeastern Food Processors Association Convention Coming To HHI!

    Don’t Miss Our Southeastern Food Processors Association Convention Coming To HHI!

    One of America’s top island destinations awaits your registration to the SFPA Convention.

    If you haven’t registered for our Southeastern Food Processors Association (SFPA) Annual Convention, coming October 18th through the 20th, do it today! The SFPA is the largest regional food processors organization in the Sunbelt and we’re making this year’s gathering extra special. Register now.

    Food processors and associate members cover the gamete of national and regional brands who call the Southeast home. From Bush Brothers to Garner Foods, makers of Texas Pete® Hot Sauce and Green Mountain Gringo® Salsa, Sauer Brands, of Duke’s® mayo fame, Mt. Olive Pickles, and McCall Farms (one of America’s largest canned foods companies with multiple brands) as well as House-Autry Mills, Palmetto Processing, Boone Brands, Moody Dunbar and many more, the SFPA represents a heritage of nearly 80 years of feeding American families.

    The Sonesta Resort is one of the pearls of discovery for SFPA members in 2023.
    The Sonesta Resort is one of the pearls of discovery for SFPA members in 2023.

    “We are launching a new format for this year’s convention that begins on Wednesday and closes on Friday to allow attendees to free up their weekend for a few extra days, stay at the beach or head home,” says Executive Director Kay Rentzel. “Hilton Head Island is one of America’s top island destinations, so bring your spouse or significant other and learn, network, and just have fun.”

    This year’s convention will be held at one of the island’s top resorts, Sonesta Resort in the Shipyard Plantation. Boasting an oceanfront location with on-site restaurants, fitness center, lagoon-style pool, and full-service spa. There is easy access to tennis, bicycle rentals and off-site restaurants, shopping, island cruises and entertainment.

    Bring your golf clubs and be ready for our Annual SFPA Golf Tournament at the Shipyard Plantation Golf Club.

    The Shipyard Golf Club encompasses three unique courses comprising 27 holes of exceptional challenges.
    The Shipyard Golf Club encompasses three unique courses comprising 27 holes of exceptional challenges.

    Todd Schultz of Bush Beans and SFPA Tournament Chairman, says be ready for a great Thursday afternoon of golf and relationship-building and just plain fun. The tournament will follow Captain’s Choice rules, with winning teams recognized during Friday night’s Annual Charity Auction and Dinner.

    The convention’s opening day, on Wednesday, Oct. 18th begins with registration and exhibit set up at 4pm, followed by a welcome reception at the resort’s beach pavilion at 6pm. The much-loved SFPA hospitality suite opens at 9pm.

    Sonesta’s Beach Pavilion is the site of the Welcome Reception and Thursday’s Dinner & Fun Night.
    Sonesta’s Beach Pavilion is the site of the Welcome Reception and Thursday’s Dinner & Fun Night.

    Thursday, breakfast begins at 7am with the general session beginning at 8am and ending at 11:30 am to make way for members preparing for the convention’s annual golf tournament that begins at 1pm or free time for others. A Dinner & Fun Night at the beach pavilion begins at 6pm followed by the hospitality suite opening at 9pm.

    Bring some beach chairs for you and your honey during convention breaks designed to let you unwind.
    Bring some beach chairs for you and your honey during convention breaks designed to let you unwind.

    Friday, it’s breakfast at 7am and the general session beginning at 8am and ending at 11:30am. There’ll be plenty of free time for lounging, biking, shopping, or basking in the South Carolina sun. At 6pm the annual benefit auction for SFPA scholarships begins with the annual banquet hosted by the SFPA’s Board of Directors.

    The Annual Charity Auction & Dinner

    Proceeds from the SFPA’s Annual Charity Auction & Banquet go toward two reasons why our organization is so special. The SFPA Employee Child Scholarship goes to the children of SFPA member companies who apply each year. Students can apply with any major to a four-year college or university. A second SFPA Food Technology Scholarship goes to students majoring in food-related and affiliated southeastern universities. Winning students of this year’s scholarships will be announced and recognized for their achievement.

    If you are a SFPA member, be sure to bring an item to donate to the auction and be ready to bid big and bid often to maintain the scholarship fund.

    Education is an important part of each SFPA Convention offered during morning General Sessions. Here are some of the speakers set for this year’s General Session.

     

    Ray Starling

    Ray Starling
    General Counsel, NC Chamber of Commerce

    As general counsel of the NC Chamber and president of the NC Chamber Legal Institute, Ray sets strategy for litigation of the NC Chamber, the NC Chamber Legal Institute and its affiliated entities.

    Prior to joining the NC Chamber team, Ray served as chief of staff to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue where he coordinated execution of the Secretary’s policy agenda for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a $140 billion agency with more than 100,000 employees. Ray focused on regulatory and deregulatory initiatives and acted as a point of contact for stakeholders throughout agriculture and rural communities.

    In the fall of 2022, Starling released his book Farmers Versus Foodies in which he shares some perspective on the question of who will call the shots for the future of the farming and food system in the United States and beyond. The book is an Amazon best seller and has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.

     

    Brad Rose

    Brad Rose
    Rose Research

    Rose Research provides actionable research, consulting, and analysis on a global platform. The company has developed long-term relationships with some of the nation’s largest research organizations. The firm is known for its cutting-edge research tools, including – Sale Prediction Capabilities, Agri-Research Evaluations, Customer Satisfaction Studies, Mobile Survey Techniques, Online Interactive Solutions, Market Assessments, Competitive Analysis, etc.

     

    Tom O'Shea

    Tom O’Shea
    Egan Co.

    Egan Company will present the benefits of automation controls in manufacturing and the latest and greatest technology available to provide additional efficiency to food processing that turns ideas into reality and problems into solutions.

     

    Scott Whiteside

    Dr. Scott Whiteside
    Clemson University

    Dr. Whiteside will offer updates on the latest food packaging and innovation emerging in food plants nationwide. His expertise is in food safety, thermal food processing, food product shelf life, and food packaging.

    A special offer to potential new SFPA processor members this year includes a free one-year membership to the association when you attend this year’s convention. Here you can meet and network with association members and understand the value of you affiliation with our professional organization. Contact Executive Director Kay Rentzel to discuss the free offer.

    If you are a provider of services to the food industry and an Associate Member of the SFPA be sure to contact Kay Rentzel for special opportunities to sponsor events and activities within the convention.