The Sunshine State’s fields and groves are flourishing with seasonal abundance, from vibrant citrus and sweet strawberries to creamy avocados and crisp vegetables.
Growers and producers alike say this season’s crops reflect not only Florida’s agricultural diversity but also its determination to keep fresh, locally grown produce flowing to consumers nationwide.
Florida’s agriculture industry is a vital part of the state’s economy, with 44,400 farms spanning 9.7 million acres, producing more than 300 different commodities, says Susie McKinley, director of the division of marketing and development for Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Tallahassee, Fla.
“Many of Florida’s top-ranked commodities, such as tomatoes, bell peppers, sweet corn, snap beans, squash and watermelons, are harvested during the fall season and contribute significantly to the state’s agricultural output,” McKinley says. “Florida ranks first in the nation in the value of production for oranges, sugarcane, fresh market tomatoes, watermelons, grapefruit and fresh market snap beans. It also ranks second for bell peppers and strawberries and third for cabbage and sweet corn.
“These rankings highlight the importance of fall-harvested crops in sustaining Florida’s role as a national leader in fresh produce. Overall, Florida agriculture generates more than $7.8 billion in cash receipts annually, and fall crops play a key role in supporting that economic impact through production, employment and supply chain contributions,” McKinley says.
Season Outlook
As temperatures cool across the country, Florida’s fall harvest is just heating up. Key fruits and vegetables in season include bell peppers, cucumbers, squash, eggplant, snap beans, avocados, carrots, radishes, watermelons, tomatoes and sweet corn.
“Fall also marks the beginning of our citrus season, with early varieties of oranges, tangerines and grapefruit coming into harvest,” McKinley says. “It’s also the start of leafy greens like romaine, as well as the first signs of Florida’s famous strawberry season.”
McKinley says demand has increased in recent years for Florida-grown fruits and vegetables.
“This trend reflects strong consumer interest in fresh, local products and highlights the strength of Florida’s year-round growing capabilities. From retail to foodservice, Florida agriculture is experiencing consistent growth and expanding its presence in markets nationwide,” McKinley says.
Lipman Family Farms’ fall focus is on tomatoes — particularly Crimson, roma and grape — as well as chili peppers, cucumbers, green beans and squash, says Bo Bates, the company’s president of farming.
“In general, Florida is critical to our vertically integrated business model. For example, as tomato harvests in Tennessee and Virginia wind down, tomatoes in the Palmetto/Ruskin region ramp up and enhance our supply from the Quincy area,” Bates says. “Another is Florida’s mid-to-late November green bean season that corresponds with Georgia’s. We balance geography and timing to ensure a continuous Eastern supply throughout the year. In particular, Florida ensures strong produce availability ahead of Thanksgiving promotions.”
The 2025 fall outlook is looking even better than last year, Bates adds, with smooth, steady supply transitions, minimal disruptions and healthy plants.
“Favorable weather across Florida fields is also keeping us on track for an excellent year,” Bates says.
Wish Farms grows conventional and organic Florida strawberries, along with its signature Pink-A-Boo pineberries.
“The pineberry program continues to be a standout in our portfolio; it’s one of those items that truly catches shoppers’ attention,” says Nick Wishnatzki, public relations director and owner of Wish Farms. “With their blush-pink hue, sweet aroma and flavor notes of pineapple, pear and apricot, pineberries deliver a unique eating experience that’s both refreshing and memorable. Consumer interest remains strong season after season, and this specialty berry has built a loyal following as a limited-time Florida-grown offering.”
Early field conditions and plant health have been ideal, Wishnatzki adds, “giving us every reason to be optimistic about a strong Florida harvest.”
Southern Specialties is harvesting green beans, star fruit, chili peppers, baby arugula, watercress, specialty eggplant and Asian vegetables this season, says Charlie Eagle, vice president, business development.
For fall, Duda Farm Fresh Foods is leaning into its core Florida-grown items: celery, radishes, sweet corn, lettuce and leafy greens.
“Our fall promotion, ‘Dip It 2 Win It,’ specifically supports celery sales during the post-Thanksgiving time frame when we are looking to extend our peak sales season into the first quarter,” says John Alderman, director of sales for Duda Farm Fresh Foods.
“Additionally, our sweet corn, which is grown and packed in the same region, drastically improves shelf-life and offers customers and consumers optimal freshness,” Alderman adds. “We will be wrapping up production at our new Georgia facility in mid-November and then transitioning to Florida. We’ve continued to see tray pack volumes build in popularity with consumers for its pre-shucked and pre-cut convenience.”
Compared with last year, the fall outlook is steady, with supply supported by staggered plantings and multistate production (Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia and Michigan) that help balance regional weather and market swings, Alderman says.
Demand for Florida-Grown
Fresh From Florida is running a dynamic fall marketing campaign across TV, radio, podcasts, digital platforms and in-store promotions, McKinley says.
“Through the Retail Incentive Program, participating stores can highlight Florida-grown products using circular ads, digital placements, custom displays, recipes and sampling events. With nearly 1.4 million social media followers and 35 years of trusted branding, Fresh From Florida continues to drive produce sales and increase consumer awareness,” says McKinley, adding that those who follow Fresh From Florida on Facebook and Instagram can stay connected with seasonal recipes, farmer stories and Florida-grown highlights.
Cheryl Hoefs, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Lipman Family Farms, says consumers are increasingly interested in knowing where their food comes from, and corresponding retailer interest in locally grown and consistent Eastern supply supports it.
“We see a focus on increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the day. As inflation affects other food categories, fresh produce is competitively positioned,” Hoefs says. “Price sensitivity is there, but consumers understand the value, health benefits and convenience of fresh produce.
“To meet the season’s opportunities, Lipman and its retail partners are focused on year-round consistency, along with local sourcing and quality from the fields,” Hoefs adds.
For Wish Farms, strawberries continue to drive growth across the berry category, with the segment adding more than $500 million in year-over-year gains, Wishnatzki says.
“Health-conscious consumers are increasingly drawn to berries as an everyday snack — something sweet, flavorful and family-friendly that also supports their wellness goals. At Wish Farms, our team is closely aligned with retail partners to forecast demand, plan promotions and keep Florida-grown berries front and center during peak supply windows,” Wishnatzki says.
Fall Marketing Campaigns
Hoefs says the Crimson tomato has been an anchor of Lipman’s fall marketing and trade show presence.
“This is a juicy, deep red and homegrown variety from Florida. It’s our ‘crown jewel’ tomato. Both chefs and retailers love it,” Hoefs says. The Crimson was highlighted at the International Fresh Produce Association’s 2025 Global Produce and Floral Show, alongside the Lipman fresh-cut lineup.
“Our expanded fresh-cut program includes appetizing fajita and pico de gallo mixes, salsa, perfectly prepared bell peppers, onions and more,” Hoefs says. “It’s all innovatively prepared at the peak of flavor and packed to maximize shelf life for retail and foodservice.”
These initiatives reinforce Lipman’s “grower-at-heart” identity and the innovation behind its vertically integrated operations, Hoefs adds.
Florida is Southern Specialties’ largest source for green beans, Eagle says.
“Our growers will start harvesting in October and finish around April/May. From [the] November toApril window, Florida is the only source for Domestic green bean production, making us stand out in the marketplace,” Eagle says.
Duda Farm Fresh Foods’ fall marketing campaign consists of celery dippers (petite 2-inch fresh-cut sticks), a recent line built for snacking, with bilingual packaging extending reach in North America. The dippers debuted in 2023, expanded in 2024 (including bilingual packs and foodservice SKUs) and continue to anchor fall snacking sets, Alderman says.
Broader Dandy value-added celery (sticks, hearts, snackers) and Ready Radishes provide convenient, pre-washed options that fit party platters and weeknight meals — ideal for fourth-quarter traffic, Alderman says.
“Our annual fall/winter consumer-facing sweepstakes, ‘Dip It 2 Win It,’ underscores the relevance celery plays in healthy snack scenarios in and throughout football season and supports retailer sales with multi-tier activations leading into the holidays,” says Alderman, who adds that the company is gearing up for the launch of a brand-new snacking item that will be available in retail by the end of the year.
Fall is strategic for Duda Farm Fresh Foods because it bridges back-to-school, football and holiday entertaining, which are prime occasions for fresh-cut celery and radish snacking alongside cooking vegetables like sweet corn and leafy greens, Alderman says.
Mission Produce Expands Operations, Distribution to Miami
Oxnard, Calif.-based Mission Produce has expanded its operations and distribution to Miami. The company, which sources, produces and distributes fresh hass avocados, says the move will enable it to directly service customers in Florida with its signature World’s Finest Avocados and World’s Finest Mangos, as well as provide ripening and bagging services.
“Mission’s strategic decision to open a ripening and distribution center in Miami was driven by the great potential for both the avocado and mango categories in the market — and fall is a key time to tap into promotion opportunities,” says Brooke Becker, senior vice president of sales for Mission Produce.
“Nearly half of Florida shoppers are buying avocados during the fall, and that number jumps to 73% for Hispanic shoppers,” Becker says. “The fall season is no longer just about traditional staples. Avocados are showing up in more holiday dishes, game-day spreads and family gatherings. That’s a big opportunity for retailers to capture incremental sales as consumers look for fresh, versatile ingredients.”
Thanksgiving is becoming a real moment for avocados and mangoes, says Becker, who notes that, in the Southeast, holiday-week volume has climbed 15% for avocados and 25% for mangoes since 2021, “proof that these fruits are earning a place on more holiday tables every year.”
Becker says Florida is more than just a strategic hub. “It’s a dynamic, fast-growing market with the right demographics and retail landscape to drive meaningful category growth,” she says. “With our Miami facility online, Mission Produce is better positioned than ever to fuel growth in Florida and deliver the World’s Finest Avocados and Mangos to customers across the state.”
