The fall season — in the middle of hurricane season — can be challenging for Florida farmers when it comes to getting their produce to the market.
"Florida offers a diverse array of fresh produce in the fall and winter months, including snap beans, squash, cucumbers, bell peppers, and leafy greens, which can complement Florida tomatoes and sweet corn in seasonal recipes," says Susie McKinley, director, division of marketing and development at Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Tallahassee, FL. "Florida also offers a variety of specialty citrus and strawberries, with supply steadily increasing as the season progresses."
DiMare Fresh will offer grape, Roma and round tomatoes from its Ruskin, FL, location during the Florida fall season, which starts in mid-October and continues until the end of the year, says DiMare, as well as round tomatoes from its Homestead, FL, operation through the winter until mid-April.
Tony DiMare, president of both DiMare Fresh, headquartered in Arlington, TX, and DiMare Homestead, based in Homestead, FL, recommends the Florida Tomato Committee. "It partners with Canadian retailers through a MAP grant, which promotes and markets Florida tomatoes during the Florida tomato season."
Read more at Produce Business