Cancel OK

What’s Happening In Florida?

Market updates, hot trends, and top commodities
Florida Spotlight_MS

“We believe strawberries are the go-to berry item, which leads consumers to pick up a package of a secondary berry, such as blueberries or blackberries.” When retailers display different berries together in the same display, Maloney says it often encourages consumers to buy a variety.

Indeed, blueberries are now a bona fide part of the state’s top crop roster. Just 20 years ago, there was no significant commercial production; today, there are hundreds of blueberry growers in an industry valued at over $80 million. “The Florida blueberry season was successful for our growers despite strong competition from Mexico,” Maloney remarks. “Georgia was hit hard with a freeze damaging a large percentage of its crop; this allowed Florida’s blueberry season to extend a little longer than normal.”

FLORIDA’S FARMERS’ MARKETS (Continued from previous page)

Immokalee Farmers Market
424 New Market Rd. E.
Immokalee, FL 34142
Phone: (239) 658-3505
2015-16 Sales: $13.9 million

Gadsden State Farmers Market
18212 Blue Star Hwy.
Quincy, FL 32351
Phone: (850) 617-7384
2015-16 Sales: $0
(This market partners with Farm Share, a charitable corporation, providing a collection and distribution point for surplus food for individuals and charitable organizations.)

Wauchula Farmers Market
535 S. 6th Ave., Ste. No. 101
Wauchula, FL 33873
Phone: (863) 773-9850
2015-16 Sales: $49.9 million

Fort Pierce Farmers Market
3479 S., U.S. 1 Hwy.
Fort Pierce, FL 34982
Phone: (772) 468-3917
2015-16 Sales: $32.6 million

Edward L. Myrick State Farmers Market
1255 W. Atlantic Blvd.
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
Phone: (954) 786-4828
2015-16 Sales: $43.5 million

Florida City Farmers Market
Address: 300 N. Krome Ave.
Florida City, FL 33034
Phone: (305) 246-6334
2015-16 Sales: $41 million

Source: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Successful Marketing
As consumer demand for local produce continues to skyrocket, the “Fresh from Florida” label is growing by leaps and bounds, partnering with 45 grocery chains, and now available in 26 countries across the globe.

Twitter