Fresh From Florida Supports Local Farmers, Fishers and Ranchers
In partnership with: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
We all know food tastes better when grown closer to home. Have you ever thought about why?
When food is fresh from the farm or just caught from the sea and served locally from the source, it is your best bet for a delicious meal. Produce is crisper and fresher, and seafood is firmer and more flavorful. Why wouldn’t you buy local if this is the case? Let’s explore what it means to enjoy something grown locally versus food that has traveled thousands of miles to your grocer.
See more: Hundley Farms Produces Sweet Corn and More Using Sustainable Methods
Food for Thought
With 44,400 farms and ranches spread over 9.7 million acres, Florida has a reputation for producing a wide variety of fresh and tasty food. From plentiful fruit groves to vegetable crops, seafood and cattle, these farms, abundant waters and ranches provide Florida with bountiful opportunities to eat good and do good.
Food that has traveled across the country or has been shipped in from countries across the world simply isn’t as fresh. When given a choice, why buy food from other places when you can purchase food harvested close to home? Growing standards are stringent in Florida and the U.S., but are you confident in the standards for what is grown or harvested elsewhere? This is food for thought, for sure.
While Florida is under pressure from development, when traveling through the state or even to work, you still almost always pass farmland on the way. Farmers are your neighbors, community partners and friends. Farmers are connected to the land, and they responsibly and faithfully manage our precious natural resources.
Sustainability and environmentally friendly techniques and approaches are the mantra of the Florida farmer. By fully embracing innovation and the latest technology, they consistently produce more using fewer inputs.
If you are looking for domestically grown produce from December through mid-April, you can thank a Florida farmer because they are the only source on the Eastern seaboard. Florida is the “winter garden” of the U.S., and you can be confident when purchasing these products that they have been grown with the greatest care and with you in mind.
See more: Florida Farm Families Keep the Tradition Going Through the Generations
Fresh From Florida
“Fresh From Florida” is proud to be the brand representing Florida’s agricultural commodities. Working with producers, “Fresh From Florida” represents our farmers and fishers, promoting their products. “Fresh From Florida” is all about helping to create jobs in our communities and, of course, making sure you can share with your family and friends all the fresh flavors Florida offers.
Seasonality is key to freshness. Florida produce is especially abundant from November through the beginning of July. Florida seafood is generally available year-round
with restrictions on some species. Understanding seasonality and being mindful of when and what to prepare is important. To learn about what is in season and find seasonal recipes, visit FreshFromFlorida.com. You can also learn more about seasonality by looking at the chart on page 34 of this magazine.
To help you gain an understanding of “Fresh From Florida,” join the club. Club members receive a monthly email with recipes and interesting tidbits about Florida products. In addition, members have opportunities to talk with Chef Justin Timineri, our expert in preparing recipes using Florida products, and more.
The “Fresh From Florida” brand is something you can look for when shopping at your favorite grocer. We partner with more than 100 retailers with over 10,000 stores to guarantee that “Fresh From Florida” products are in their stores when in season. Ask your grocer or find the sunny “Fresh From Florida” logo on the packaging of your favorite produce, seafood or beef when purchasing your food, and enjoy a great dish while supporting your local farmer.
Remember to choose “Fresh From Florida,” your homegrown brand.