Innovative Microwavable Potatoes and Sustainable Packaging Take Center Stage at the Orlando Event

Side Delights® is set to participate as a Gold sponsor at the SEPC Southern Exposure 2025 show in Orlando, taking place on March 7-8 at the Orlando World Center Marriott.

The company plans to highlight two cutting-edge offerings its Amazables!® microwavable baked potatoes and its BioFlex™ 100% recyclable packaging line during the event, which draws attention to the theme “Produce Means Family.”

Inspired by Hawaii, this theme underscores the role of family meals and the value of eating together, aligning with Side Delights’ focus on innovation and convenience for consumers looking to share quality time around the dinner table.

Side Delights® will be present at Booth #705, where attendees can explore Amazables!, an oven-crisp style baked potato specifically designed for microwave cooking.

These Russet potatoes feature crispy skins and are both gluten-free and easy to prepare.

The product comes with sauces developed by Litehouse® to offer top foodservice-inspired flavors, including a Loaded Potato sauce that combines cheddar cheese, bacon, sour cream, and chives, as well as a Buffalo Ranch sauce that merges classic Buffalo heat with a cool ranch profile.

Show visitors will also be able to see the new in-store retail merchandising and marketing tools created to promote Amazables!, such as branded floor stands, high-graphic display cartons, and other point-of-sale materials.

Side Delights® began using its new BioFlex™ sustainable packaging technology in September 2023, applying an eco-conscious approach to help reduce environmental impact.

The material in BioFlex™ can be co-mingled with existing plastic recycling, converting into soil and gas when it reaches a landfill.

This convenience for consumers is a significant step forward in responsible packaging and waste reduction.

The packaging’s design and structure aim to meet the growing consumer demand for more sustainable and user-friendly disposal methods.

“Side Delights is the first and the only produce supplier in the U.S. using the material in the BioFlex packaging, and Amazables! is the first-of-its-kind oven-crisp style microwaveable baked potato. We are proud to showcase these two innovative products at SEPC Southern Exposure and we are looking forward to submitting Amazables! in the Bright Ideas Fresh Arrivals showcase to add to the awards the product line has amassed.”

Kathleen Triou, President and CEO of Fresh Solutions Network

This statement captures the company’s emphasis on leading the market with both sustainability and culinary convenience, reflecting its commitment to responding to shifting consumer expectations.

Beyond the excitement surrounding the new product lines, Amazables! has already garnered significant acclaim.

In 2024, it secured a spot among the top five standout products at the SEPC Southern Exposure trade show.

Additionally, it was named runner-up in the On-the-Go segment at the 2024 IFPA Global Produce and Floral show, underscoring its versatility and consumer appeal.

That same year, it won the Produce Business’ Joe Nucci Award for Product Innovation during the eighth annual Innovation Award ceremony.

These distinctions have helped position Amazables! as a leader in fresh, convenient meal solutions.

The National Association of Manufacturers, in collaboration with the NEPA Manufacturers and Employers Association, further honored the company with the Employer Product Innovation Award for the Side Delights® Amazables! potato product line.

The Southern Exposure show itself is a vital platform for businesses to meet and showcase emerging trends, especially those aiming to make a mark with consumers who value both flavor and ecological responsibility.

With a strong emphasis on family-oriented dining, the event sets the stage for discussing how produce companies can respond to modern demands for health, taste, and environmental stewardship.

Given Side Delights®’ track record, its presence as a Gold sponsor signals a commitment to driving forward-looking conversations about the significance of fresh produce in everyday life.

By spotlighting Amazables! and its BioFlex™ packaging line, Side Delights® hopes to engage retailers, buyers, and other stakeholders looking for first-to-market solutions.

Through the company’s booth activities, attendees will gain firsthand insights into how microwavable crispy-skinned baked potatoes and easily recyclable packaging can refine the at-home cooking experience.

The Southern Exposure gathering offers a chance for the brand to continue building relationships within the produce community, illustrating how a balance between convenience and sustainability can be achieved without compromising on quality or taste.