Florida Strawberry Members

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

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.

The Ag Workforce Coalition

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Agriculture Workforce CoalitionThe Agriculture Workforce Coalition represents the diverse needs of agricultural employers across the country and serves as a unified voice to ensure America’s farmers, ranchers and growers have access to a stable and secure workforce. The Lembert Report shares this news:

Some industries and businesses cannot survive without foreign workers, and for labor-intensive agriculture in California, their presence is especially critical. There is another key demographic in America: the 100 percent of people who eat. They require human hands to plant, harvest, pack and deliver fresh fruit, vegetables and tree nuts to their plates every day. Machines have yet to be invented that can pick strawberries or celery, and these and other crops are in danger of rotting in the field without timely harvesting.

For example, according to a 2012 survey by the California Farm Bureau, 71% of tree fruit growers, and nearly 80% of raisin and berry growers, were unable to find an adequate number of employees to prune trees or vines or pick the crop. In 2008, Texas A&M reported that 77% of vegetable farmers reported scaling back operations. More than 80,000 acres of fresh produce that used to be grown in California have been moved to other countries. Without immigration reform, estimates are that thousands of farms could fail and farm income could drop by $5 to $9 billion.

Continue reading at Food, Nutrition & Science.

Celebrate Strawberry Month

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February is Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month

PLANT CITY/DOVER, FLA — Fresh strawberries in February? February is fabulous in Florida where strawberry farmers are harvesting their sweet winter crop and shipping handpicked fruit to key markets.

“Strawberries dipped in chocolate or served straight up with a dollop of whipped cream are sure to please the special Valentine in your life,” said Sue Harrell, director of marketing for the Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA). “It’s a happy coincidence that Valentine’s Day, one of the most popular celebrations in the country, falls during the peak of our season,” she continued.

“Acreage this year is estimated at 11,000 – about 1,000 acres over last year. Florida’s cool nights and warm days have made the berries particularly sweet and the shipping quality is excellent,” said Ted Campbell, Executive Director of the Association.

Strawberry farmers begin harvesting in November and continue until the end of March. Marketing programs are giving consumers, chefs and caterers the knowledge and opportunity to purchase Florida’s flavorful, healthy and delicious berries in the winter when they least expect them.

“We’re celebrating February as Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month to call special attention to winter strawberries. We’re getting the word out this season to as many audiences as possible,” Harrell concluded.

States east of the Mississippi are target markets for Florida strawberries.

After experiencing two consecutive years of freezing temperatures and heavy rainfall, growers are optimistic that mild weather will continue through the harvest season.

Strawberry tips and facts:

  • Eating eight strawberries a day has been shown to lower blood pressure and improve memory and heart health.
  • When you’re on the run, take strawberries with you in a plastic container or sandwich bag.
  • Strawberries taste best at room temperature.
  • Strawberries are picked at full ripeness. Unlike some other fruits, they don’t ripen once they are harvested.
  • A dash of balsamic vinegar, lemon or orange juice will bring out the flavor of strawberries.
  • Strawberries are the only fruit that have seeds on the outside —about 200 of them. Each seed has the potential to become a new variety. Strawberry seeds are all those little bumpy spots on the surface of the berry.

More information about Florida strawberries including recipes, news, events and behind the scenes stories are available on the Strawberry Sue blog.

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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