Bountiful berries
Another top crop, strawberries, continues to gain popularity throughout the Southeast. Representing more than 13 percent of all U.S. strawberry production, Florida ranks second after rival California. In 2016, total production value of Florida strawberries reached $450 million.
Amber Maloney, director of marketing with Wish Farms in Plant City, says the 2016-17 strawberry crop was a successful one. “Weather was on our side this year, which led to favorable berry flavor and overall quality,” she explains, adding that Wish Farms strawberries came in early and held strong all the way through March.
FLORIDA’S FARMERS’ MARKETS
Suwannee Valley Farmers Market
2758 County Rd. 136,
White Springs, FL 33209
Phone: (386) 963-5903
2015-16 Sales: $196 millionStarke Farmers Market
2222 N. Temple Ave., Starke, FL 32091
Phone: (386) 329-3713
2015-16 Sales: $2.5 millionTrenton Farmers Market
830 NE Trenton Blvd.,
Trenton, FL 32693
Phone: (386) 963-5903
2015-16 Sales: $3.1 millionPalatka Farmers Market
225 U.S. Hwy. 17, East Palatka, FL 32131
Phone: (386) 329-3713
2015-16 Sales: $2.5 millionPlant City Farmers Market
1305 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.,
Ste. No. 5. Plant City, FL 33563
Phone: (813) 359-2620
2015-16 Sales: $49.8 millionFort Myers Farmers Market
2744 Edison Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33916
Phone: (239) 332-6910
2015-16 Sales: $25.6 million(Continued on next page)
Strawberries are soaring in popularity with consumers across the nation, and it seems the trend is boosting other berry purchases as well. “Rather than a special treat that people pick up from time to time, we’re seeing trends where consumers are putting strawberries in their cart during their weekly shopping trip,” Maloney shares.
