Latest News From Florida

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.

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

Bova Fresh LLC has increased acreage of Florida strawberries this season and has excellent crop prospects, says Bob Wilhelm, owner of the Boca Raton, Fla.-based marketer.

The 2022-23 season marks the 100th anniversary of Astin Farms, and Payton Astin, marketing director for the Plant City, Fla.-based supplier, said that milestone will be celebrated.

The sanctions include barring the business and the principal operators of the business from engaging in PACA-licensed business or other activities without approval from USDA, according to a news release.

The Plant City, Fla.-based company hosted PixieRock, with event proceeds going to local charities.

University of Florida researchers have found UV light to be an effective physical control for the two-spotted spider mites that have preyed on Florida’s winter strawberry crops.

Florida citrus growers got off easy following Hurricane Nicole, which hit the Sunshine State on Nov. 10, compared to the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian in late September.

Sustainability has benefits in production and in marketing, growers say.

The vertical farm lettuce grower has recalled more than 600 cases of lettuce, but no cases of illness have been reported.

Produce suppliers, tech leaders and logistics firms arrived in force to 2022’s Global Produce and Floral Show in October.

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences will build a 19,000-square-foot artificial intelligence (AI) hub at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm, Fla.

The U.S. Trade Representative has declined a 301 investigation request from Florida lawmakers and instead will form an advisory panel to explore ways to assist Southeastern producers.

While Florida’s November tomato crop will be smaller than normal due to the impact of Hurricane Ian, the state’s growers will remain significant suppliers from mid-October through December.

While Florida’s November tomato crop will be smaller than normal due to the impact of Hurricane Ian, the state’s growers will remain significant suppliers from mid-October through December.

Drawing comparisons to the damage wrought by Hurricane Irma in 2017, Hurricane Ian’s damage to Florida crops and livestock has been estimated from $787 million to $1.56 billion.

Hurricane Ian struck Florida in late September, creating a path of destruction for crops in southwest Florida that agricultural leaders are still tallying.

Hurricane season began in earnest in late September, impacting both Florida in the U.S. and Canada’s maritime provinces.

After Hurricane Irma in 2017, Hurricane Michael in 2018 and six other hurricanes since 2000, Florida farmers are hyper-aware of the potential impacts of Hurricane Ian.

1981 was the first year in the industry for Dan Richey, president, and chief executive officer of Vero Beach, Fla.-based citrus grower-shipper Riverfront Groves Inc.

If Florida citrus growers are forced by disease or other pressures to cut back acreage on their first love, what other crops can serve as alternatives?

In Greek mythology, Zeus condemned King Sisyphus to roll an immense rock up a hill, only to have that rock roll down on Sisyphus when he was nearly at the top.

Still battling disease pressures, Florida citrus growers continue to cut their acreage, a new report shows.

The USDA has filed an administrative complaint against Burbano Corporation, doing business as CasaBella Farms Corp. (Burbano) for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association presented Nathan Boyd with its 2022 Researcher of the Year Award.

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association has honored 4R Restaurant Group with its 2022 Customer of the Year Award.

Citrus growers all over the world are fighting against huanglongbing, aka HLB and citrus greening disease.

The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas cries foul in response to a recent bi-partisan petition calling for investigation into Mexico’s trade practices.

The avocado has become what the grapefruit once was, and vice versa.

Tom Spreen, professor emeritus at the University of Florida, came to Florida in 1977 as a “green” assistant professor of economics, fresh out of Purdue.

Lipman Family Farms will be increasing production of its winter vegetables in Immokalee, Fla.,  with an additional 1,400 acres, according to the company.

Maitland, Fla.-based Florida Citrus Packers honored Quentin J. Roe with its John T. Lesley Award for Excellence at Packinghouse Day on Aug. 25. 

You may not have heard about Florida citrus being produced with the Citrus Under Protective Screens (CUPS) yet.

The USDA has imposed sanctions on R & S Export & Import Inc., Doral, Fla., for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

The USDA has imposed sanctions on Central Market of FL II Inc., Sarasota, Fla., for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.

The Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology recently assisted Inteligistics, a WGCIT partner, in the evaluation of Inteligistics’ InteliCool system at Fresh Del Monte facilities.

The season for Florida-grown avocados is off to a good start, with promotable volumes available June through August, according to a news release.

Florida growers have said yes to more producer-funded citrus research.

Taking care of Florida farmers who help take care of the U.S. food supply is the goal of a new program from the Florida Department of Agriculture.

Homestead, Fla.-based Brooks Tropicals LLC has added two new members to its sales office, says Peter Leifermann, vice president of sales and marketing.

The USDA has imposed sanctions on G & K Citrus LLC, (G&K Citrus) Miami, Fla., for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

Homestead, Fla.-based Brooks Tropicals LLC will see an increase in Florida avocado production because of new grafts bearing fruit, says Peter Leifermann, vice president of sales and marketing.

New Limeco LLC expects to have a better Florida avocado crop in 2022-23, said Eddie Caram, general manager of the  Princeton, Fla.-based marketer.

Florida avocado shipments totaled 1.11 million 25-pound cartons in 2021, according to the USDA Market News Service.

A Florida woman pleaded guilty on April 6 to a federal racketeering conspiracy that victimized Mexican agricultural workers admitted into the U.S. under the H-2A temporary visa program, according to a news release.

As Florida peach season approaches, Florida Classic Growers shares tips for maximizing merchandising and display of the stone fruit.

Immokalee, Fla.-based Lipman Family Farms will highlight its exclusive Crimson tomato and other fresh produce at Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure conference.

Salinas, Calif.-based Naturipe has announced increased organic and conventional blueberry production in the Southeast U.S.

Florida strawberry production for Gem Pack Berries will continue strong into spring, said Michelle Deleissegues, director of marketing for the Irvine, Calif.-based company.

Central Florida blueberry fields for Dundee-based Florida Classic Growers Inc. should start harvest the last week of March, said Al Finch, president.