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.
“Our crop looks great right now and we are excited to see good volume the first week of January,” Wilhelm said. The company’s peak volume will arrive in February and March.
The firm has expanded its conventional strawberry acreage 100% this season and will keep its organic acreage steady, he said. Bova Fresh is growing mostly brilliance and sensation varieties, in addition to some acreage of the medallion variety.
“We are planning to bring a new long-stem label to market this year as we pack a lot of long stems for various customers,” he said.
Retailers are encouraged to promote strawberries with Fresh From Florida POS signage, he said. “Everyone loves their winter strawberries from Florida,” he said.
In company news, Wilhelm said Bova Fresh has opened a new office in Pharr, Texas, this past summer with the hiring of Derek Ponce and Justin Martinez.
“Both bring a fresh new perspective to Bova Fresh and give us two guys on the ground to help facilitate all the products we sell from Mexico,” he said.
