Duda Farm Fresh Foods Inc., headquartered in Oviedo, FL, is a leading grower, shipper and marketer of an extensive line of domestic and offshore fresh fruits, as well as fresh and fresh-cut vegetables. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of A. Duda & Sons Inc., also headquartered in Oviedo.

In Florida, the company produces major volumes of citrus fruits and vegetables. The state is also where the company got its start numerous generations ago.

Sam Jones manages the Florida citrus category for Duda Farm Fresh Foods. On March 24, he said that the crop is on a normal schedule this year.

Duda Farm Fresh Foods' four-pound bag of ‘Dandy’ brand red Florida grapefruit with Canadian-appropriate language labeling.“We will have grapefruit and tangerines for two to three weeks longer than we did last season,” Jones noted. “We are currently harvesting Valencia oranges, honey tangerines and red grapefruit. We are harvesting fresh fruit from Duda’s Southwest Florida citrus groves and from other select groves in Central Florida.”

He added that the company expects to have Honey tangerines through the first week of April. Grapefruit supplies will run through the middle of April and Valencia orange supplies will be available through May and into June.

“The internal quality and condition of the citrus crops remain strong,” explained Jones. “We are very pleased with the maturity levels, taste, flavor and color of the fruit. Growing conditions remain ideal for Florida citrus, and we have almost completed the annual citrus bloom period in Florida.”

Jones also noted that Duda Farm Fresh Foods’ year-end fresh citrus volume in Florida is expected to remain very consistent with last season’s crop.

Jason Bedsole is the manager of Florida citrus for Duda Farm Fresh Foods. He addressed the condition of the company’s Florida field vegetables this season. He said that all vegetable items are on schedule and are very good quality. He also noted that Duda Farm Fresh Foods’ spring corn crop start is just around the corner.

“Growing conditions have been very good,” said Bedsole. “The fields look to have good stands and no supply gaps are expected in the upcoming future.

“We’re currently harvesting celery, radishes, iceberg lettuce, Romaine lettuce hearts and butter lettuce,” he continued. “All of these items are being produced in the Belle Glades’ area of Florida.”

Bedsole explained that this is the first season that Duda Farm Fresh Foods is growing commercial volumes of Romaine lettuce hearts.

“We’ve been trialing the item for three seasons to determine the proper varieties,” he added.

The company is enthusiastic about its upcoming spring corn movement, which appears to be in great condition with high quality.

“We have excellent eating varieties,” Bedsole noted. “April and May are peak months for our Florida corn crop, and like our other field vegetables, conditions have been very good during the growing season.”

Duda Farm Fresh Foods also produces numerous other field vegetables, such as endive, cilantro, green and red cabbage, parsley and celery, which it is very well known for producing under its “Dandy” brand name. The majority of its products are available on a year-round basis from its several growing locations in the country.

Duda Farm Fresh Foods works closely with grower and state agricultural organizations and promotions. The company’s involvement takes place through its membership in the Florida Sweet Corn Exchange, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, Southeast Produce Council and through its involvement in all of the regional councils.

The company also offers its retail and foodservice customers support in numerous ways to help sell its products. It offers point of sale, point of purchase and shelf place cards to identify Florida-grown products for regional retail chains. Recipe cards are also available. Its website, www.dudafresh.com, is consumer oriented and offers nutritional information, recipes and kid’s activities, as well as foodservice and usage information.

Duda Farm Fresh Foods is also active on social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, to consume the company’s “Dandy” brand products.