Sweet Success Southeastern Grocers Wins 6 Titles at National Pie Championships

Southeastern Grocers, LLC (SEG),Sweet the parent company behind beloved regional supermarket banners Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie, has earned national recognition for its culinary craftsmanship by taking home six first-place blue ribbon awards at the esteemed National Pie Championships. Hosted annually by the American Pie Council (APC), this prestigious competition is widely recognized as the premier contest for commercial and amateur pie bakers across North America. For SEG, these accolades represent not just wins, but a reaffirmation of the company’s dedication to creating high-quality, affordable, and delicious desserts that bring people together—especially during festive spring occasions and Easter gatherings.

Competing in the highly competitive Commercial Baker division, SEG stood out against a field of expert bakers and dessert makers from across the continent. The grocer’s winning pies, crafted under its exclusive Own Brand lines, include a variety of seasonal and perennial favorites that showcase the range and richness of flavors the company has perfected over time. The award-winning pies are as follows:

  • Caramel Apple Pie, 8-inch
  • Chocolate Cherry Pie, 8-inch (available in select stores)
  • Peaches and Cream Pie, 8-inch (available in select stores)
  • Pecan Pie, 10-inch (a seasonal specialty)
  • Pumpkin Pie, 8-inch (seasonal offering)
  • Sweet Potato Pie, 8-inch (seasonal offering)

Each of these pies earned the coveted blue ribbon, signifying best-in-class taste, texture, presentation, and overall product excellence as judged by a panel of industry experts and baking connoisseurs.

Dewayne Rabon, Chief Merchandising Officer for Southeastern Grocers, expressed pride in the recognition. “These awards are the cherry on top of our passion for crafting exceptional dessert experiences for our customers with traditional recipes that celebrate the spirit of each season,” said Rabon. “Taking home six first-place blue ribbons from the American Pie Council for our exclusive pies is a sweet reward for our dedicated team and reaffirms our commitment to delivering fresh, quality products at prices everyone can enjoy. We don’t just bake pies; we create smiles by the slice, and we are honored to be recognized for our product excellence in the industry.”

A Slice of Sweet Success

Among SEG’s many winning entries, the Caramel Apple Pie stands out as a fan favorite, consistently delivering flavor and satisfaction. This particular dessert has received APC recognition five times since 2017, a testament to its enduring quality and popularity among customers and judges alike. The pie’s perfect balance of sweet caramel and tart apples wrapped in a flaky, buttery crust offers a timeless flavor profile that keeps fans returning to store shelves year after year.

These impressive wins are just one part of SEG’s broader mission to provide customers with memorable food experiences. In addition to its celebrated pies, SEG continues to innovate its dessert offerings with new additions to its Own Brand frozen treats, giving shoppers more ways to enjoy refreshing flavors as the weather warms.

Frozen Innovation: Spring Flavors Take the Spotlight

In alignment with its seasonal dessert success, Southeastern Grocers is expanding its frozen dessert portfolio with a mouthwatering selection of limited-edition and new-to-market treats across its Prestige, Know & Love, and SE Grocers brands. These offerings are designed to elevate any spring or summer celebration with bold, refreshing flavors and indulgent ingredients.

Among the highlights of the expanded frozen dessert lineup:

  • Prestige Strawberry Cookies & Cream Ice Cream – Available through the end of April, this limited-edition treat combines the award-winning Prestige strawberry ice cream with crushed, crème-filled cookies for a rich and fruity indulgence.
  • Prestige S’mores Trio Ice Cream – Launching in May for a limited time, this Neapolitan-style creation brings together chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker-flavored ice creams, creating a campfire classic in frozen form.

New flavors also joining the Prestige collection include:

  • Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Piña Colada Sorbet
  • Chocolate Trio Ice Cream
  • Mint Chocolate Chip Frozen Yogurt

Additionally, SE Grocers’ signature Vanilla Sundae Cones and Vanilla Caramel Sundae Cones continue to be customer favorites, offering classic ice cream truck nostalgia with premium quality and value.

Quality and Value Through Own Brands

Southeastern Grocers remains committed to delivering value without sacrificing quality. Its extensive Own Brand product portfolio — featuring Essentials, SE Grocers, Prestige, and Know & Love — spans nearly 8,000 products, allowing customers to save an average of 20% compared to national brands. These savings are delivered alongside a consistent focus on excellence, transparency, and innovation.

The Know & Love line, in particular, is a standout for health-conscious and ingredient-savvy shoppers. This clean label product range excludes over 100 undesirable ingredients while maintaining great taste and accessibility. In recognition of its innovation and market appeal, Know & Love was honored in the 2024 Store Brands Game Changers Awards under the product innovation category. This accolade is just one of more than 100 awards SEG’s Own Brand and exclusive product lines garnered in the past year, demonstrating the grocer’s relentless pursuit of excellence.

Rewarding Loyalty and Convenience

SEG further amplifies its value proposition through its highly rated Rewards program, which has been ranked among America’s Best Loyalty Programs by Newsweek for the fifth consecutive year. Shoppers can activate exclusive percent-back offers, access personalized digital coupons, and earn rewards through the Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie mobile apps. This program enhances the overall customer experience while delivering real savings on household essentials and favorite indulgences — including SEG’s award-winning pies and frozen desserts.

Whether planning an Easter celebration, a spring picnic, or simply indulging in a sweet moment of joy, Southeastern Grocers offers an impressive range of desserts that bring both satisfaction and savings. With award-winning pies, inventive frozen treats, and a strong dedication to quality and affordability, SEG continues to elevate dessert offerings for families across the Southeast.

Customers can find these celebrated pies and new frozen desserts in-store or online through the Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie websites, making it easier than ever to enjoy a slice of happiness — one sweet bite at a time.

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