Our Recent Trip to Florida with the Florida Strawberry Growers Association

Our Recent Trip to Florida with the Florida Strawberry Growers Association

185

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!

Comments



185 responses to “Our Recent Trip to Florida with the Florida Strawberry Growers Association”

  1. Strawberry festival sounds awesome! I have yet to see white strawberries at my store I’ll have to search for them around my area.

    Reply

  12. I live in Florida and the strawberries are wonderful. I enjoy taking my family strawberry picking.

    Reply

  16. 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.

    Reply

  22. 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.

    Reply

  29. Strawberries bring back fond childhood memories. Tasty creations my grandmother made.
    Thank you Farmers

    Reply

  30. It’s pretty cool that they found the perfect land to grown strawberries in to make them perfect

    Reply

  37. Strawberries make the best dessert. I made a strawberry ice cream pie last week and it was delicious!

    Reply

  48. The beauty strawberries look almost too pretty to eat…I did say almost!! They look delicious 🍓🍓🍓

    Reply

  54. I’m from Louisiana, so I love me some Louisiana Strawberries best but Florida strawberries come awful close!! LOL!!!

    Reply

  57. 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.

    Reply

  63. 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!

    Reply

  66. Strawberries are my sweetest addiction – whether fresh, in desserts, or simply on their own, they always leave me berry happy!

    Reply

  68. I can now see why Florida is the best place to grow strawberries in the winter. They grow the best berries!

    Reply

  75. 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.

    Reply

  113. This reminds me of going to pick strawberries as a young girl. Many made it into my mouth before they made it to our house!

    Reply

  126. STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL looks really fun, growing up in Louisiana we used to really enjoy the Mayhaw Festival!

    Reply

  137. I never knew that Florida was the #1 growing spot. The strawberries look amazing. I am SO ready for summer and all the fresh fruits and vegetables (veg out of my garden).

    Reply

  141. What a Beautiful and tasty looking presentation of those juicy Strawberries displayed in the nice Florida-Shaped Wicker Basket!

    Reply

  143. In the summer time in Wisconsin, we had a farm that would let you pick your own strawberries and charge just per size, plus you could eat as much as you could while picking. Great times!

    Reply

  148. Great looking strawberry plants on the plastic mulch on raised beds. I’ll start picking the strawberries now!

    Reply

  159. Omg I’d really love a trip there! These strawberries look so good and love how it’s a strong community!

    Reply

  161. Stop global farm shutdowns.
    Farmers all over the globe are standing against WEF Agenda 2030.
    Shutting down farms for windmill, solar farms.

    WEF, “Control the food =
    Control the people”

    Reply

  175. I sure would love to have some Florida Strawberries to make a delicious Strawberry Shortcake with some delicious Strawberry Ice-cream. 😋 😋

    Reply

Share Your Thoughts