Tallahassee, FL – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced today that the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association joined the department's “Fresh From Florida” membership program on behalf of its more than 250 members.
The “Fresh From Florida” marketing program promotes Florida products through a variety of initiatives, including advertising and national and international food shows. The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) joins thousands of “Fresh From Florida” members, including the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association; the Florida Strawberry Growers Association; the Sunshine Sweet Corn Farmers of Florida; and the Florida Tomato Committee.
“This partnership with the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association will strengthen the sales of fresh Florida produce,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “Florida agriculture has a more than $100 billion economic impact on our state, and we will continue to find innovative and exciting ways to show the world that everything tastes better ‘Fresh From Florida.’”
FFVA is a full-service organization serving Florida's grower-shipper community since 1943. The association represents a broad range of crops, including vegetables, citrus, tropical fruit, berries, sod, sugar cane, tree crops and more. FFVA members comprise the vast majority of fresh fruit and vegetable production in the state.
“Participation in ‘Fresh From Florida’ is an outstanding benefit for FFVA members, and we're pleased to be able to offer such a value-added service,” said FFVA President Mike Stuart. “The program offers our members additional resources to market their product and ensure that consumers know that it's grown here in Florida.”
Through the “Fresh From Florida” brand, the department works to raise awareness for the high-quality products produced in Florida and promote the sale of Florida commodities. Members of the “Fresh From Florida” program receive many benefits, including the use of the highly recognized logo.
In addition, members receive point-of-purchase materials, have access to trade leads, receive the “Fresh From Florida” magazine and industry newsletter, tie-in to supermarket promotions that feature Florida products in newspaper and store circular advertisements and receive a farm sign customized with the member's business name.
For more information about FFVA, go to http://www.ffva.com. For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit www.FreshFromFlorida.com.
Source: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
