Palm Trees and Perishables

Renowned for its sun-sweetened oranges, tangerines, and grapefruit, Florida accounts for 65 percent of total U.S. citrus production and has long been ranked number-one in orange sales with more than $1 billion in annual cash receipts. Although the fight against citrus greening has affected many of the state’s growers, this subtropical paradise is still a worldwide citrus leader.

Florida’s Flourishing Markets
The Sunshine State is home to a system of 13 official State Farmers’ Markets, overseen by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The majority of these markets are open 24 hours a day on a seasonal basis. Here’s a brief rundown on a selection of the state’s markets.

Tampa Wholesale Produce Market
Just minutes from bustling downtown, the Tampa Wholesale Produce Market is the heart of fresh produce for the western coast of Florida. Open year-round, the market is home to several produce distributors that provide fresh fruit and vegetables to hospitality businesses, retailers, and restaurants throughout the greater Tampa Bay area, which includes St. Petersburg and Clearwater.

Over the last few years, there have been some significant changes at the wholesale market, including consolidation. Steve Kocsis, president of C-K Produce, Inc., says his company bought longtime merchant Diamond & Tagger Produce Company, located at the market for almost 45 years. After combining the two spaces, Kocsis renovated the enlarged facility with “new coolers and drains, sealed factory-coated floors and much more. There’s nothing that’s not ‘new’ in this building now.”

It wasn’t easy, Kocsis contends, as the workers needed to make progress “without interrupting the flow of the market. There are nine companies total on the market, and we wanted to be as neighborly as possible.”

One of his neighbors is Coosemans Tampa, Inc., a grower-shipper, receiver, and importer. When asked about challenges, Roy Kane, vice president, talked about the flow of produce into and out of the market and the importance of timing. Top concerns included “product holds due to customs, and weather impacting quality and quantity—delaying flights.”

Coosemans has seen a rise in demand for tropical and specialty fruits this year, such as figs, dragon fruit, kiwi, and even dried fruits. “As long as the weather continues to be good, the trend should continue into next year,” Kane notes.

In other news, the Tampa wholesale market’s board elected a new president, and to attract more customers, Kocsis notes, “We’re bringing in some younger blood, people with a different perspective. With more competition on the market, companies are trying to catch up so they’re not left behind.”