PLANT CITY, Fla. – The Florida Strawberry Growers Association presents the fourth annual Strawberry Picking Challenge on February 10th and 11th. The unique charity event raises funds for the Redlands Christian Migrant Association and invites guests out to the farm for a day of strawberry picking and entertainment.
The main event at the Strawberry Picking Challenge is when corporate sponsors bring their teams to battle it out in a strawberry picking relay-style race competing to win the title “Best Harvest Crew.” The fundraising efforts kick off Friday evening with drinks, dinner and a live auction at the TPepin Hospitality Centre in Tampa. Saturday’s family-friendly event will be held at Fancy Farms in Plant City and is free admission to the general public. Families can come out to enjoy live entertainment, fun activities, and delicious strawberries. An onsite BBQ lunch, fresh strawberry shortcake, and kid’s meals will be available for purchase.
Proceeds from the charity event will benefit the Redlands Christian Migrant Association; a Florida nonprofit that provides quality childcare and early education for children of migrant farm workers and rural low-income families. Over $228,000 has been donated to the cause in the past three years.
"The Florida Strawberry industry owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to our farm workers and places a high priority on supporting the families and children in our community,” said Kenneth Parker, president of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association. “This provides a way to encourage and financially support these families through this special fund raising event."
“Our farm workers are the backbone of our industry,” said Gary Wishnatzki, owner of Wish Farms. “This event recognizes their hard work all while bringing the community together for a fun day at the farm.”
Who: Florida Strawberry Growers Association, Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA)
What: 4th Annual Strawberry Picking Challenge presented by the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, to benefit RCMA
Where: Fancy Farms
3536 Futch Loop, Plant City, FL 33566
When: Saturday, February 11th from 11 am to 3 pm
Cost: Free to the general public. Free to park.
U- Pick Strawberries $5 per quart will be donated to RCMA
Website: www.wishfarms.com/spc
Sponsorship opportunities at various levels are still available. For details please contact Jesse Brock, Wish Farms’ Marketing Coordinator (813) 752-5111 or spc@wishfarms.com.
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About Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA):
Redlands Christian Migrant Association operates 70 child-care centers for Florida’s rural poor, including 18 in the Tampa Bay area. RCMA also runs three charter schools, including two in Wimauma, in south Hillsborough County. Founded in 1965, RCMA has given thousands of children a vital boost toward success in school and life. For more information about RCMA please visit www.rcma.org.
About FSGA:
In 1982, the Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA) was officially formed, becoming a voice for Florida strawberry growers. The mission for the handful of farmers was to become “partners in research, promotion and member/community service.” In the years since then, the growers have met that mission and succeeded in forming a voluntary organization that supports over 11,000 acres of berries. Hillsborough County produces about 15 percent of the nation’s strawberries and virtually all the berries grown during the winter. The commodity has an economic impact on our community exceeding $700 million. The 20 million flats produced each year, if placed end to end, would extend from Plant City to Seattle and back again.
About Wish Farms:
Wish Farms, founded in 1922 and third-generation owned, is one of the largest shippers of strawberries in Florida and has been for over 50 years. Nationally recognized for quality and innovation, Wish Farms is a year round supplier of strawberries, blueberries and blackberries growing both conventional and organic varieties. Wish Farms utilizes How’s My Picking?™, a patented tool for traceability to ensure quality by tying consumer feedback to the harvest time, field location, picker, etc. For more information about Wish Farms, please visit www.wishfarms.com.
Source: Florida Strawberry Growers Association
