Earlier this year, my crew and I went down to Florida to spend time in the strawberry fields with Florida Strawberry Growers Association. There is something amazing about seeing all of these beautiful, fresh berries growing and being ready to eat, simply by snapping them off its plant. The care and passion that goes into growing these berries is something that most of us never get to see first-hand, and I'm hoping that I can convey some of the most exciting things that I witnessed and have learned! Plus I visited with Sue Harrel, FSGA Marketing Director, as well as other informed and passionate Florida strawberry growers, all of whom helped us really dig into what it takes to make the best tasting strawberries in the USA! Make sure you take a look at this rare behind-the-scenes look into everything that it takes to grow Florida strawberries for all of us! See the variety of videos to the right.
Many of the strawberries that we find at the store are different varieties. What we typically don't know is how long it took to perfect these berries, as it starts with small plants being grown in a greenhouse, carefully, making sure that they'll grow to be sweet, flavorful and withstand unpredictable weather patterns. Farming is no easy task, and the amount of time, energy and even money that goes into producing a crop is staggering. That's why it's important that when growers, or farmers, put a year into growing a crop, we need to make sure its going to be delicious and something that we discerning consumers are going to love! This year, they are also unveiling the new WHITE strawberry! This is years in the making and has a unique taste all of its own. It has a crunchy taste, almost like a pineapple, and is so unusually delicious! It takes a bite to understand how flavorful and different this strawberry really is - so also request these white strawberries next time you're at the store!
When you purchase strawberries from Florida, you know you're getting the best of the bunch – ones that are the most delicious, most sweet, most healthy, and most likely to be the one that makes you and your family go WOW! There's a reason why Florida strawberries are unique and different, and it starts with where they're grown! The area of the country is situated in just the right way – the climate gets warm, and cool, but not too hot and not too cold. The soil and climate of the area around Plant City, Florida in particular is exceptional for strawberries. A long time ago, Mr. Henry Plant recognized that these berries were absolutely divine, and he created a way to get them up and down the Eastern corridor. He created a railroad that would transport these berries to all of the other folks who were buried in the snow along the east coast. The train would bring these baskets of strawberries to their markets, and soon everyone was able to enjoy some Florida strawberries and delight in the fact that these delicious bites of heaven were now available.
Every year they celebrate the strawberry season with a STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL, and people come from all over to enjoy strawberries in everything! Strawberry shakes, strawberry salads, strawberry BBQ, strawberry ice cream sundaes, strawberry tacos, strawberry sandwiches and, of course, delicious plain strawberries! Big stars come in, too, to sing and celebrate with the enthusiastic strawberry lovers. This happens typically in February, and I can't wait to attend this myself! I had one of the best strawberry shakes OF MY LIFE when I was there last time, and trust me when I say it was a special treat I'll never forget!
Plant City, as it became known after Mr. Plant, became the USA Winter Strawberry Capital of the USA, and soon after, the Florida strawberries became known as the most mouth-watering berries anyone could get. They are only available now, however, and they're being picked and harvested throughout the winter months, some plants producing berries for the entire season! Make sure you start looking for these berries at the local stores near you, and if you can't find them, ask for them! You'll be glad you did – and glad you had a sweet taste of the Florida strawberry season and strawberries from the Winter Capital of the USA!
Strawberry festival sounds awesome! I have yet to see white strawberries at my store I’ll have to search for them around my area.
yummy
You learn how strawberries are growm.
A strawberry shake sounds great!
I love strawberry farms.
an’t wait to go pick some fresh berries
Love that they grow in FL, USA during the winter, otherwise I;d need two by imports.
LOVE STRAWBERRIES
I love Florida!
Would love to visit that farm
I would love to try the white strawberry!!
I live in Florida and the strawberries are wonderful. I enjoy taking my family strawberry picking.
You just gave me another place to visit those strawberries look good
Thanks for sharing about your trip. The strawberries look delicious!
I used to pick strawberries with my family.
It is so interesting how they make those mounds and top them with the plastic to keep the weeds from taking over.. I’ve always wanted to try growing them myself. I’m sure it would never work for me though.
What a well cultivated crop.
A good way to learn about the strawberry festival.
Yummy!
And now I want to plan a trip to Florida to taste these gems
I’d love to visit a strawberry farm
I give it up to the farmers, how much is costs and how much work and planning it takes to grow anything and they get it done.
jam yummy
Find out what was learned about strawberries on the field trip.
yummy
And now I want a truffle cake with fresh strawberries
I’m from Florida and miss the Strawberry Festival so much!
I’d love to try that strawberry shake
Strawberries bring back fond childhood memories. Tasty creations my grandmother made.
Thank you Farmers
It’s pretty cool that they found the perfect land to grown strawberries in to make them perfect
Thanks for visiting central lorida.
I always purchase Florida strawberries 🍓 for my preserves!
I am glad there are strawberries grown in Florida.
The strawberry festival looks like fun.
Interesting!
Strawberry picking is one of our favorite family activities
Strawberries make the best dessert. I made a strawberry ice cream pie last week and it was delicious!
Love the strawberries from central Florida.
look fantastic
This is great!
Thanks to the farmers who grow strawberries for their hard work.
Thank you for the passion you have to bring quality fruit ro our tables
I want to take a trip!
I am ready to buy some now.
May she always find happiness were ever you go & what ever you do.
Strawberry shakes are yummy and nutrious
Those look amazing!
The beauty strawberries look almost too pretty to eat…I did say almost!! They look delicious 🍓🍓🍓
A good way to learn about the Florida Strawberry Growers Association.
I love strawberries
I give you kudos.
Wonderful flavor
Greys read!
I’m from Louisiana, so I love me some Louisiana Strawberries best but Florida strawberries come awful close!! LOL!!!
Strawberries from Florida are delicious & nutritious.
I could never work in the fields..I would eat all the goodies
The strawberries are very versatile. There are so many ways to dress them up. For me the best way is to dress up ice cream with strawberries and angle food cake.
Strawberry is so amazing!
Love strawberry shortcake
I wish I could eat strawberries all the time.
A good way to learn about these farmers.
Rockville 2024 were on our way to Daytona Breach!
Well I guess now I need to make a strawberry pie! I was thinking about it, now I have the taste for one! What a beautiful Farm!
Look delicious
Nice!
Strawberries are my sweetest addiction – whether fresh, in desserts, or simply on their own, they always leave me berry happy!
and now I am in need of this sweet snack
I can now see why Florida is the best place to grow strawberries in the winter. They grow the best berries!
Love my strawberries!
Love strawberries.
A good way to learn about strawberry growing.
I love Florida weather!
Strawberries are such a wholesome, nutritious snack!
YUMMO
I like strawberries and it is great I can enjoy them all year long if wanted. I do enjoy getting locally grown strawberries when in season in Wisconsin though.
best tasting strawberries
Thank you for sharing your experience
Now I gotta go out and get strawberries
I’m ready for a trip to Florida!!
You make me hungry for strawberries every time I see these sites.
Florida looks like paradise!
That shake looks so good!
Our Recent Trip to Florida
A good way to learn about the Florida Strawberries Growers association.
Strawberries look great.
I have fond memories of visiting Florida many years ago with my family.
Strawberries are delicious!
Great summertime snack!
These farmers work SO HARD so that we can enjoy these delicious fruits!
I need to go to florida
a great afternoon snack
Thank you Mary, and Thank you ALL!
love strawberries
I would love to take a trip to Florida and visit this farm!
love strawberry shortcake.
love straberries
love to grow straberries
Great article
You learn about Florida strawberries.
The best is with ice cream!
Enjoy them, especially for fresh eating when ours are out of season.
Yum! Now you have me wanting strawberry shortcake!
I sure would love to have some Florida Strawberries to make a delicious Strawberry Shortcake with some delicious Strawberry Ice-cream. 😋 😋
Thank you for all your hard work!
Got to make a strawberry shake now
interesting we love strawberries thanks for the contest and the info.
LOVE “STRAWBERRIES FROM FLORIDA ” hope to visit next year
Florida Strawberries are the best .. I make preserves every year to make the goodness last all year long. Yummy.
I scream for ice cream, strawberry ice cream!
would love to try some, the one around here are not so pretty and not to sweet. how’s your .
Ty for chance
I WANT SOME!
My mouth is watering looking at the beautiful strawberries