The Southeast Produce Council (SEPC), based in Millen, Georgia, has selected 41 students to receive a scholarship for 2025, totaling $61,500.
Scholarships are granted to students who meet specific criteria, including having a parent or grandparent who is a corporate member in good standing with the SEPC and has personally attended at least one SEPC event within the past 12 months.
In addition, applicants must be enrolled full time, taking a minimum of 12 semester hours. Eligible students then submit the required documentation, including an essay, for the SEPC Scholarship Committee to review.
The recipients are:
- Carter McCormick, Alderman Farms Sales Corp.;
- Sebastian Cimino, Always Fresh Farms;
- Amelia Lott; Bland Farms;
- Isabella Lott; Bland Farms;
- Haley Pilcher, Coastline Family Farms;
- Madison Pilcher, Coastline Family Farms;
- Riley St George, Dole;
- Mitchell Kiley, Envy Apples – T&G Global;
- Luka Rose, Flavor 1st Growers and Packers;
- Mackenzie Todd, Fresh Del Monte;
- Alexis Olsen, Freshway Foods;
- Joaquin Fiszman, Gourmet Trading Company
- Logan Wilkins, Green Circles Farm;
- Mia Muniz, Healthy Family Project;
- Sadie Shaw, Healthy Family Project;
- Steven Shaw, Healthy Family Project;
- Jack Kennedy, Highline Mushrooms;
- Olivia Coufal, J&C Tropicals;
- Lillian Davis, L&M Companies;
- Johnathon Rocendo, Mack Farms
- Alina Beckstead, MDI
- Kelli Houck, Monterey Mushrooms
- Isabella Chapman, Nickey Gregory Company
- Cydney Hutterer, Ocean Mist Farms
- Kameryn Hawes, Ocean Mist Farms
- Tanner Rayfield, Pennrose Farms LLC
- Hailey Karban, Red Jacket Orchards
- Emma Jane Jackson, Red Sun Farms
- Karissa Griffin, Scalici Produce
- Kasey Tipton, Schnuck Markets
- Avery White, Shuman Farms
- Gavin White, Shuman Farms
- Matheson Parker, Shuman Farms
- Mason Shuman, Shuman Farms
- Anthony Giaquinto, Southeast Produce Council
- Hudson Sherrod, Southeast Produce Council
- Kayelyn Austin, Southeast Produce Council
- Carter Schwalls, Southern Valley Fruit & Vegetable
- Wesley Fox, Walmart
- Lennon Fausset, Westfalia
- Aly Rooke, Wonderful Citrus
This year’s essay topic, “Family Meals Matter,” aligned with the Southeast Produce Council’s overarching theme, emphasizing the importance of family and the consumption of healthy produce.
Applicants were asked to describe the significance of family meals in cultivating values, relationships and memories, as well as the economic benefits of supporting fresh fruit and vegetable consumption.
Each recipient receives a $1,500 annual scholarship. While past recipients are eligible to reapply, they must have maintained a minimum 3.0 grade-point average, and preference is given to new applicants.
Established in 1999, the Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) was founded on the collective vision of creating a nonprofit produce organization for the Southeastern region. From its initial formal meeting, which gathered 100 agriculture, retail, and foodservice professionals, it has grown to represent more than 5,000 industry professionals.