Latest News From Florida

Infinite Herbs' co-founder takes on advisory role, longtime employee promoted
Infinite Herbs' co-founder takes on advisory role, longtime employee promoted

Co-founder Camilo Penalosa will step away from the company's daily operations Jan. 31, and a new vice president of sales and marketing will assume Penalosa's former customer responsibilities.

Study reveals new control options against invasive thrips parvispinus
Study reveals new control options against invasive thrips parvispinus

A University of Florida scientist has published a milestone study in the journal Insects that provides new products that can be used to battle invasive thrips parvispinus. 

What Florida strawberry growers anticipate as the season ramps up
What Florida strawberry growers anticipate as the season ramps up

Picking for most growers in the Sunshine State got underway in early to mid-November, and supplies were slowly but surely picking up throughout December.

USDA amends Florida Citrus Marketing Order
USDA amends Florida Citrus Marketing Order

Some of the amendments include reducing membership of the Florida Citrus Administrative Committee and updating quorum requirements.

Fresh From Florida shares strawberry promotion plans
Fresh From Florida shares strawberry promotion plans

Print, digital and retail promotions such as grocery cart ads, weekly circulars, social media campaigns, shoppable ads and more will be used to spread the word about the Sunshine State’s juicy red strawberries.

University of Florida research center offers standout strawberry varieties
University of Florida research center offers standout strawberry varieties

If you’re buying Florida strawberries, chances are they’re one of three varieties developed by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ Gulf Coast Research and Education Center.

GrubMarket acquires A&B Tropical Produce
GrubMarket acquires A&B Tropical Produce

The Florida company is best known for sourcing tropical and exotic fruits and vegetables such as plantains, yellow yams, yuca, avocados and dragon fruit.

Florida Strawberry Growers Association honors Wish Farms owner
Florida Strawberry Growers Association honors Wish Farms owner

The Florida Strawberry Growers Association has inducted Gary Wishnatzki into its hall of fame for his innovations in the berry industry.

Ark Foods to trial new watermelon varieties
Ark Foods to trial new watermelon varieties

Immokalee, Fla.-based Ark Foods has announced a pilot project that will expand its activities into the fruit industry with a watermelon trial.

Florida citrus forecast up for 2023-24
Florida citrus forecast up for 2023-24

Florida citrus production is up this year, according to the USDA’s November crop production report.

Why industry leaders say Florida citrus is on track for a better year
Why industry leaders say Florida citrus is on track for a better year

Florida citrus volume will be up this year, and industry leaders were pleased with the outlook in mid-November.

Amid challenges, passion drives Florida tomato growers
Amid challenges, passion drives Florida tomato growers

It’s not easy being a tomato farmer in Florida, but even as their numbers dwindle, enough die-hard farmers remain to earn Florida the No. 1 ranking for the value of fresh-market tomatoes in the U.S.

Florida strawberry industry launching new tech-driven marketing
Florida strawberry industry launching new tech-driven marketing

The Florida Strawberry Growers Association will aim to entice consumers with the rallying cry, "Love Florida Strawberries!" as part of its marketing initiatives for the 2023-24 winter strawberry season.

Publix partners with Fresh From Florida
Publix partners with Fresh From Florida

Florida locations of Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix Super Markets Inc. will participate in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Fresh From Florida program during the coming year.

Good-quality tomatoes expected in Florida after slow start
Good-quality tomatoes expected in Florida after slow start

The state's 2023-24 tomato acreage should be similar to last season’s, but volume should be up because Hurricane Ian put a damper on production last year, said Michael Schadler of the Florida Tomato Exchange.

Florida citrus crop expected to top last year’s
Florida citrus crop expected to top last year’s

Florida’s 2023-24 citrus crop should be significantly more robust than last season’s, according to the latest USDA forecast.

Wish Farms invests big in renewable energy
Wish Farms invests big in renewable energy

Plant City, Fla.-based Wish Farms has announced the completion of a large solar project at its Plant City headquarters.

Florida Tomato Exchange: FPAA-cited study has ‘no basis' in reality
Florida Tomato Exchange: FPAA-cited study has ‘no basis' in reality

A study recently cited by the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas is designed to “distract from Mexico’s record of dumping tomatoes,” the Florida Tomato Exchange says.

New Hurricane Idalia report takes stock of significant agricultural damages
New Hurricane Idalia report takes stock of significant agricultural damages

A preliminary University of Florida report assessing agricultural damages and losses from Hurricane Idalia estimates that 3.3 million acres of ag land were affected, along with a $392 million loss in production value.

Produce podcast plans in-person cruise at Southern Exposure 2024
Produce podcast plans in-person cruise at Southern Exposure 2024

"The Produce Industry Podcast" has set its sights on an in-person networking event aboard a cruise touring Tampa Bay, Fla., at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure 2024 event.

USDA cites Florida firm for PACA violations
USDA cites Florida firm for PACA violations

Sanctions include barring the business and the principal operators of the business from engaging in Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act-licensed business or other activities without approval from the USDA.

Hurricane Idalia slams Florida's Big Bend region, spares most specialty crop growers
Hurricane Idalia slams Florida's Big Bend region, spares most specialty crop growers

Most Florida specialty crop growers were spared damage from Hurricane Idalia, the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association reports.

Florida citrus marketing order changed
Florida citrus marketing order changed

The USDA says Florida citrus producers voted to amend the federal marketing order regulating the handling of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and pummelos grown in the state.

Invaio achieves key step for citrus greening solution featuring Trecise technology
Invaio achieves key step for citrus greening solution featuring Trecise technology

Invaio Sciences says the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has approved its application technology that aims to suppress citrus greening in oranges.

Lipman Family Farms donates 1,500 backpacks to youth
Lipman Family Farms donates 1,500 backpacks to youth

The Southwest Florida grower-distributor says it has given away over 14,000 backpacks and essential school supplies to the Immokalee community over the past 13 years.

Florida produce firm awarded $189M contract
Florida produce firm awarded $189M contract

Freedom Fresh LLC, Medley, Fla., has been awarded a five-year, $189.5 million contract to supply fresh fruit and vegetables to government customers.

USDA cites Fresh Florida Products Inc. for PACA violations
USDA cites Fresh Florida Products Inc. for PACA violations

The USDA has imposed sanctions on Fresh Florida Products Inc. Tampa, Fla., for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

Florida farmworker's death was preventable, Labor Department says
Florida farmworker's death was preventable, Labor Department says

After an investigation into the death of a worker in Parkland, Fla., OSHA has cited a labor contractor for a serious violation for exposing workers to hazards associated with heat while working in direct sun.

Florida tomato leaders asks Commerce Department to revise approach to Mexico-U.S. tomato trade
Florida tomato leaders asks Commerce Department to revise approach to Mexico-U.S. tomato trade

A Florida group has asked the Commerce Department to dump price agreements and implement antidumping duties on Mexican tomatoes.

Weather likely causing a smaller crop of Florida avocados this year
Weather likely causing a smaller crop of Florida avocados this year

Weather has had an impact, said Anita Fernandez, manager of the Avocado Administrative Committee, but the 2023-24 season outlook for Florida avocados is still good.

Alpine Fresh breaks ground on Florida facility
Alpine Fresh breaks ground on Florida facility

The Miami-based grower, shipper and marketer is expanding its operational capabilities with a new cold storage facility in Sweetwater, Fla.

Miami shipper touts tree-ripe Florida mangoes this summer
Miami shipper touts tree-ripe Florida mangoes this summer

Bigger volumes of Florida mangoes are expected this summer from Miami-based Seasons Farm Fresh Inc. The firm’s Florida mango shipments began in May and will be strong this summer, said Gabe Bernal, vice president.

Fair Food Program, Chilean delegation take step in international expansion
Fair Food Program, Chilean delegation take step in international expansion

A delegation of Chilean representatives recently visited Immokalee, Fla., to meet with growers, buyers, farmworkers and U.S. government officials to discuss the possible expansion of the Fair Food Program in Chile.

USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on Florida produce company
USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on Florida produce company

The USDA has announced that WWD Fruits LLC, doing business as B Fruits, satisfied a $60,725 reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act involving unpaid produce transactions.

HBO's 'Last Week Tonight' with John Oliver spotlights farmworkers' plight
HBO's 'Last Week Tonight' with John Oliver spotlights farmworkers' plight

HBO TV show "Last Week Tonight" with John Oliver recently highlighted some of the challenges faced by farmworkers, suggesting the Coalition of Immokalee Workers' Fair Food Program as one solution to combat exploitation.

FDACS offers display bins to help retailers' spring produce promotions
FDACS offers display bins to help retailers' spring produce promotions

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides the Fresh From Florida-branded bins to retail partners, and they can be used as endcaps or stand-alone floor displays.

Florida operations focus on long-term with sustainable practices
Florida operations focus on long-term with sustainable practices

Customers and consumers alike are demanding suppliers to grow, pack and ship sustainably, and for many of the state’s producers, sustainability is nothing new.

Good quality expected for Florida spring produce after slower start
Good quality expected for Florida spring produce after slower start

Some Florida spring produce items are getting off to a slower start than usual, but grower-shippers expect volume to pick up quickly and say quality should be top notch.

University of Florida tallies the state’s agriculture losses from hurricane at over $1 billion
University of Florida tallies the state’s agriculture losses from hurricane at over $1 billion

Economists have confirmed that Florida citrus crops sustained the most extensive hurricane damages, estimated at over $247 million, in a study of Hurricane Ian's impacts to Florida agriculture.

Florida’s orange estimate lowered again
Florida’s orange estimate lowered again

Florida’s orange production estimate was knocked down again in the USDA’s February report.

USDA sets referendum dates for proposed amendments to Florida citrus marketing order
USDA sets referendum dates for proposed amendments to Florida citrus marketing order

The USDA will conduct a referendum April 3-May 1 on proposed amendments to the federal marketing order regulating the handling of oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and pummelos grown in Florida.

PJ Citrus grows with customer focus, president says
PJ Citrus grows with customer focus, president says

Doral, Fla.-based PJ Citrus continues to grow its business with a variety of citrus options and a focus on customer service, says Julyann Borges, president.

Florida citrus marketers regroup after weather setbacks
Florida citrus marketers regroup after weather setbacks

Florida citrus production was staggered by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole last fall, but those setbacks are temporary, says Steven Callaham, CEO of Dundee Citrus Growers Association.

Mark Bassetti kicks off 2023 as Duda Farm Fresh Foods’ new president
Mark Bassetti kicks off 2023 as Duda Farm Fresh Foods’ new president

Bassetti's promotion follows the appointment of Sammy Duda as the new CEO of A. Duda and Sons, parent company of Duda Farm Fresh Foods.

IMG Citrus acquires farmland and new cold storage facility in Florida
IMG Citrus acquires farmland and new cold storage facility in Florida

The integrated citrus company is purchasing Vero Beach, Fla.-based J&J Fresh Produce assets, which includes 1,000 acres of farmland and a 185,000-square-foot cold storage and packaging facility.

Wish Farms plans for expanded supply, builds on Pink-A-Boo momentum
Wish Farms plans for expanded supply, builds on Pink-A-Boo momentum

Florida strawberry production for Wish Farms should see an increase in volume for 2022-23, says Nick Wishnatzki, public relations manager for the Plant City, Fla.-based grower-shipper.

Florida strawberry promotions ramp up
Florida strawberry promotions ramp up

Florida strawberries are entering their prime time.

Well-Pict volume building in Florida
Well-Pict volume building in Florida

Florida strawberry volume is increasing for Well-Pict Berries, says Jim Grabowski, director of marketing.

Florida strawberries on the upswing for the new year
Florida strawberries on the upswing for the new year

Florida strawberries are expected to show increasing volume for Christmas and New Year celebrations, says Sue Harrell, marketing director for the Florida Strawberry Growers Association.

GEM-Pack looks for big jump in pineberry volume
GEM-Pack looks for big jump in pineberry volume

Conditions look excellent for GEM-Pack Florida strawberries, says Michelle Deleissegues, director of marketing for the company.