Latest Fresh Produce News & Insights

Florida News

Sprouts Farmers Market is set to expand its Florida footprint.

Sprouts Farmers Market to expand Florida footprint

The specialty retailer plans to open more than seven stores and hire over 650 team members throughout the state... Read More

The Packer Staff

Jan 29, 2025
Industry News , Produce Retail , Florida

Wish Farms said G&D Farms has harvested the year's first strawberry flat in Florida.

Wish Farms harvests year's first strawberry flat in Florida

Farm manager Chris Parks shared the news with the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, which celebrates the annual feat officially kicking off the season... Read More

Jill Dutton

Nov 04, 2024
Florida , Strawberries

Katelynn Long, global marketing director for Florida Department of Citrus said the Florida citrus harvest begins in early fall and includes red and white grapefruit, orange varieties such as hamlins, navels, tangerines and mandarins.

Florida's fall harvest bringing seasonal favorites to stores

From citrus to other fruits, these crops are essential to the state’s economy but also provide opportunities for retailers to meet consumer demand... Read More

Jill Dutton

Nov 03, 2024
Citrus , Florida

Florida citrus assessment to increase

Effective Aug. 21, the assessment rate for Florida citrus will increase to 2 cents per carton, up from the previous rate of 1.5 cents per carton, which has been in place since 2018-19... Read More

The Packer Staff

Jul 24, 2024
Florida , Citrus

USDA is reporting the Florida all orange forecast at 17.9 million boxes, which is up less than 1% from the previous forecast

After a historically small citrus crop, is Florida finally bouncing back?

USDA is reporting the Florida all orange forecast at 17.9 million boxes. See what that latest snapshot means to the state's citrus industry... Read More

The Packer Staff

Jun 14, 2024
Citrus , Florida

Justin Timineri, state chef and culinary ambassador for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, develops recipes featuring Florida avocados that are published on freshfromflorida.com and shared with more than 900,000 social media followers.

Why stores and restaurants tout Florida avocados

Consumers, retailers and many foodservice operators eagerly await the arrival of Florida green-skin avocados every year, grower-shippers say... Read More

Tom Burfield

May 20, 2024
Foodservice , Produce Retail , Avocados , Florida

The results of Fresh From Florida’s efforts are seen in more than 12,000 stores operated by nearly 100 retailers in Florida and throughout the U.S., Canada, Central America and Europe, said Susie McKinley, director of the Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' marketing and development division.

Fresh From Florida touts state’s produce

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has come up with a plethora of ways to promote the state’s fruits and vegetables through the Fresh From Florida retail promotion this spring... Read More

Tom Burfield

Mar 19, 2024
Produce Marketing , Produce Retail , Florida

Plant City, Fla.-based Wish Farms started picking its Florida strawberries the first week of November, which is about a week earlier than usual, says Nick Wishnatzki, public relations manager. “Berry size is average, and quality has been above average,” he says.

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. .. Read More

Tom Burfield

Dec 29, 2023
Strawberries , Florida

Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services plans to promote Florida strawberries through its Fresh From Florida program from December through March, says Susie McKinley, director of the division of marketing and development. FDACS features a recipe for Florida strawberries and goat cheese tart on its website.

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... Read More

Tom Burfield

Dec 27, 2023
Strawberries , Florida , Produce Marketing

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... Read More

The Packer Staff

Dec 20, 2023
Produce - General , Florida

Shown from left are Jake Rayburn, Candace Harrell, Therese Wishnatzki, Gary Wishnatzki, Nick Wishnatzki and Kenneth Parker at Florida Strawberry Growers Association's hall of fame induction.

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... Read More

The Packer Staff

Dec 19, 2023
Strawberries , Florida , People

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... Read More

Tom Burfield

Nov 03, 2023
Florida , Produce Retail

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... Read More

Tom Karst

Sep 21, 2023
Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act , Florida

USDA has cited a Florida company 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)... Read More

The Packer Staff

Jul 19, 2023
Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act , Florida

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... Read More

The Packer Staff

May 02, 2023
Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act , Florida

Fresh From Florida offers display bins so retailers can feature a rotating selection of Florida produce, says Susie McKinley, director of marketing and development.

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... Read More

Tom Burfield

Mar 17, 2023
Produce Retail , PMG Retail Merchandising , Merchandising , Florida

Top trends at inaugural IFPA Global Produce and Floral Show, part 2

Kristin Leigh Lore

Nov 02, 2022
International Fresh Produce Association , Florida , Consumer Demands , People , Logistics , Produce Tech , PMG Produce Market Trends

USDA files action Against Burbano Corporation d/b/a CasaBella Farms Corp. in Florida for alleged PACA violations

The Packer Staff

Sep 16, 2022
Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act , Florida

USDA Cites G & K Citrus LLC in Florida for PACA Violations

USDA

May 26, 2022
Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act , Florida

Florida tomato crop looks steady, while competitive research continues

Amy Sowder

Nov 23, 2021
Produce - General , Florida , Logistics

Florida anticipates high-quality crop thanks to favorable growing conditions

Allison Gibeson

Nov 10, 2021
Citrus , Florida , Logistics

Another battle in the tomato war

Amy Sowder

Jul 15, 2021
Produce - General , Tomatoes , Mexico , Florida

FL scientists use computers to breed better-tasting strawberries

Amy Sowder

Apr 09, 2021
Produce - General , Produce Tech , Strawberries , Florida , Produce Research

Ample supplies, increased interest set citrus up for a strong season

Tom Burfield

Jan 15, 2021
Citrus , Clementines , Grapefruit , Lemons , Limes , Oranges , Organic Citrus , California , Florida , Texas , Produce Retail , Produce Marketing

Packer Insight — FDA investigations, H-2A news, online grocery and more

Ashley Nickle

Oct 30, 2020
Produce - General , Produce Retail , Food Safety , Florida

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