Florida
Florida’s 2023-24 citrus crop should be significantly more robust than last season’s, according to the latest USDA forecast.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
A proposed rule from the USDA would increase the assessment rate for Florida citrus for the 2023-24 fiscal year and subsequent years. Comments on the proposal must be received by March 4.
The USDA is seeking nominees for 10 grower members and 10 alternate members for the Citrus Administrative Committee.
Most Florida specialty crop growers were spared damage from Hurricane Idalia, the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association reports.
Some of the amendments include reducing membership of the Florida Citrus Administrative Committee and updating quorum requirements.
Doral, Fla.-based J&C Tropicals is committing to a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
How much of an impact major hurricanes and storms have had on this season’s crop remains to be seen.
Portions of Hillsborough and Sarasota counties, both located on the west coast of Florida, received over 10 inches of rainfall, according to a USDA crop progress report.
Results of Florida’s annual Commercial Citrus Inventory show total citrus acreage in the state in 2024 was off 50% from 554,037 acres in 2010.
Padilla began working with FDOC in July 2024; the consumer marketing and issues management assignments are two-year terms with an option for renewal.
While many Florida-grown fruits and vegetables were out of season, the majority of the storm’s impact was in other commodities, according to an economic impact analysis from the University of Florida.
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association is accepting applications for its next Emerging Leader Development Program class.
Companies have their own definition of what “local produce” means, but the consensus is the closer the better.
The Southeast Produce Council, Millen, Ga., has cancelled Southern Innovations because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Del Monte Fresh Produce NA, Coral Gables, Fla., has opened its own packing facility in Michoacán, Mexico, said Chris Henry, vice president of sales and product management for avocados.
Tom Karst, Chris Koger, Amy Sowder and Ashley Nickle take you through the big stories of the week, from developments related to H-2A wages to company news born from increased demand for online grocery services.
Orange-juice futures in New York are heading for a 15th straight day of losses, the worst rout in records back to 1967.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has expanded quarantined areas for citrus greening in California, Texas and Louisiana after the disease was detected in plant tissue samples in multiple locations in the states.
A roundtable for responsible recruitment of farmworkers and packers will feature speakers representing Walmart, Castellini Group, Lipman Family Farms and Titan Farms.
IMG Citrus, Vero Beach, Fla., has added an electronic fruit grader to its packing line.
Customs and Border Protection officers at Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., found cocaine stashed in boxes of oranges.
Keeping in place a tomato suspension agreement between Mexican growers and the Commerce Department, the International Trade Commission ruled that Mexican tomatoes sold at less than “fair value” threaten the U.S.
A state audit of the Florida Department of Citrus gives the group’s contract procurement and management process a clean bill of health.
Brian Rayfield, a longtime Southeast produce executive, is the new president at Wimauma, Fla.-based PennRose Farms.
Del Monte Fresh Produce and Mann Packing Co. will showcase fresh, fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, as well as snack solutions, at the Southern Exposure trade show.
The University of Florida is asking for growers to participate in a study on the pandemic’s effects on the state’s agriculture industry.