Florida Strawberry Members

Welcome to the home of the freshest, most delicious strawberries in the world. Enjoy fresh Florida strawberries, available December through April.

Florida Strawberries on Target

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From The Produce News:

Florida strawberry workers picking fresh berries in the early morning. These berries go directly from the plant to the clamshell.
Florida strawberry workers picking fresh berries in the early morning. These berries go directly from the plant to the clamshell.

Shipments of Florida strawberries began in mid-November in a light way with much greater volume expected by the week of Dec. 8, which is right on target, according to Kenneth Parker of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association.

“We typically run from November through March,” said the association’s newly appointed executive director, adding that the crop can also be harvested and shipped into April if market conditions warrant it.

…

Parker relayed that Florida growers are bullish about this season and the long-term prospects for the local strawberry industry. For quite some time, the industry has had an aggressive breeding program with the University of Florida, and some very promising varieties are being developed in that program.

Continue reading from the original article.

Farm to School Program

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Farm to SchoolThe Farm to School program partners local farms with K-12 schools to provide Florida children with nourishing, locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables in school cafeterias.

Every year, Florida schools spend millions of dollars for fresh produce. The Farm to School program allows more of those dollars to stay within Florida.  It also supports Florida farmers by promoting opportunities for schools and growers to work together to increase the volume of locally grown produce that is served in school cafeterias and dining halls. Incorporating locally grown produce into school meals also supports local economies, reduces transportation costs and helps to preserve farms and farmland.

The partnership encourages nutrition and agriculture education through taste tests, school gardens, composting programs and farm tours—initiatives that also support local and regional farmers. These experiences help children understand where their food comes from and how their food choices affect their bodies, environment and community.

FSGA Appoints Kenneth Parker as New Executive Director

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Kenneth Parker, the new FSGA Executive Director is a natural fit to lead strawberry growers in new goals.

After working out of the front of his truck and spending much of the last 20 years in the area’s strawberry fields, Kenneth Parker, the new Executive Director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, is still getting used to sitting behind a desk and office air conditioning!

Kenneth, a Plant City native, began his new job in July after being hired in a unanimous vote of the FSGA board. He’s the perfect fit for the job, having lifelong relationships with many of the growers and helping them maximize their yields as a certified crop adviser in his previous position with Chemical Dynamics.

In his new position, Kenneth also oversees two related organizations: The Florida Strawberry Patent Service Corp., which licenses the use of new varieties of Florida strawberries, and the Florida Strawberry Research and Education Foundation, which supports the development of new varieties and other grower-related research at the University of Florida.

Being outside and visiting with growers always beats sitting behind his desk sending emails, according to Kenneth. “I want to be out making sure that the association is a value-added part of their business,” he said. “The only way to know is to go out and ask them.

Kenneth will also tell you that he favors the old-fashioned way of communicating over today’s impersonal texts and tweets, so you’re more likely to get a personal visit or phone call from him. “You need to hear someone’s voice inflection and tone when they’re speaking to really be able to effectively communicate,” he said.

As Executive Director, Kenneth will focus on “the many moving parts” that make up the state’s strawberry industry, including the patenting and licensing of new strawberry varieties, channeling royalties to ensure continued research and enhancing marketing efforts of the unique crop that is Florida winter strawberries.

When it comes to reaching his goals for the FSGA, Kenneth is quick to commend and recognize the staff for taking on more responsibilities, allowing the organization to best serve the growers and ensure the future growth of both crops and consumers.

This lifelong resident of Hillsborough County has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and citrus from Florida Southern College. He is an associate director of the Florida Strawberry Festival and serves as superintendent of the steer committee. He also serves on the board of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau, is an associate board member of the Florida FFA Foundation, and on the Hillsborough County strawberry and vegetable advisory committee.

Kenneth also enjoys ranching and is a member of the Florida Cattleman’s Association. He is a partner at the South Prong Ranch, a commercial cow, calf and hay operation, near the Welcome community in Lithia, Fla.

This sixth generation Floridian is committed to agricultural education and enjoys helping FFA and 4-H members with their livestock and crop projects. He knows these young people are the leaders of the future and they represent what is right with America. Kenneth is convinced their projects help build excellent character, sound work ethic, and personal responsibility.

Kenneth is married to his high school sweetheart Dee, and they have two children, Jerrod and Calli Jo. Jerrod is married to Summer Norris Parker and serves as a crop adviser for Chemical Dynamics. Calli Jo is married to James Baker and is a teacher at Knights Elementary. Kenneth is a deacon and Sunday school teacher at Welcome Baptist Church in Lithia.

Check Your Strawberry IQ

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Did you know?

  • Florida is the second largest strawberry producer in America.
  • The season for Florida strawberries is November through mid-March when other U.S. strawberry producing areas are dormant.
  • Plant City, Fla., is known as the “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.”

What Consumers Want
When it comes to strawberries, American consumers are pretty picky. Here’s what they recently told University of Florida researchers. Shoppers value freshness and taste above all. And they prefer to purchase locally grown berries. Imported berries?  Not so much.

Not only that, they are three times more likely to pick strawberry packages that are identified with the Florida Department of Agriculture’s “Fresh from Florida” logo. And, not surprising, consumers want to support our hard-working strawberry farmers and the local economy. Way to go shoppers!

Promoting New Crop of Florida Strawberries

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Florida Strawberry Growers Association promoting new crop of fresh Florida strawberries December through March

We are the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, dominating the market of fresh strawberries during the winter months. Florida is the domestic producer for East Coast markets, competing with increased imports of Mexican strawberries during the same season. As the “local” supplier, our berries travel fewer miles, which translates to fresher, tastier berries for consumers.

Florida Fields PreppedWe are expanding the strawberry research acreage this year. The new field behind the FSGA offices will showcase new advances in the industry, and tours of the facility will feature a working strawberry field and visit with a strawberry farmer to learn first-hand what it takes to grow strawberries today verses how it was done years ago by past generations.

While costs to grow strawberries continue to rise for the farmer, the retail market is very resistant to rising prices. Fortunately, strawberries are a popular consumer indulgence with incredible health benefits and versatility of utilization.

Despite the economic downturn, strawberries have increased in both sales and tonnage at retail. Our farmers are increasing acreage to continue to supply our flavorful fruit during the winter months, and we are optimistic that the popularity of strawberries will continue to grow.

With the increase in acreage this year, and barring any weather disasters, Florida farmers predict they’ll have good supplies of the world’s best strawberries from Christmas through March.

The season is off to a great start. The farmers prepare the land in August and plant from late September through mid-October. Approximately 20,000 plants per acre are all planted by hand! Which means fresh Florida strawberries at Thanksgiving!

The industry will plant more than 12,000 acres of berries this season, which make us the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. Our industry is committed to providing customers with the safest, best quality and most delicious tasting berries on the market.

About Florida Winter Strawberries

In 1980, a few strawberry growers began meeting in their homes to discuss the best way to organize a group that would represent the interests of the Florida strawberry industry. On February 11, 1982, the Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA) was born. Hillsborough County is recognized as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World and the home of some of the sweetest, reddest and juiciest strawberries around.

Get Connected

Florida Strawberry Growers Association
P.O. Box: 2550
Plant City, FL 33564
Telephone: 813-752-6822
Fax: 813-752-216

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