Smith’s Farm, a leading grower-shipper of broccoli and cauliflower, with operations that span the East Coast from Maine down to Florida, is marking a quarter of a century growing broccoli in the Sunshine State.
Tara Smith, president of Smith’s Farm Sales, who is based in Florida, said Florida production is an important region for the company for a couple of reasons. “Florida represents our first area of expansion when we started broccoli production here in 1999,” she said. “It has also become an important part of our efforts to supply our customers with year-round programs.”
Smith said the company is investing in expanding its Florida operations by adding acreage and a substantial warehouse expansion at its Hastings, FL, cooler.
“Growth is challenged in Florida by availability of farmland as real estate development tries to keep pace with the rapid population growth throughout the state,” said Smith. “But our Florida production is so strong and we’re committed to continuing to build and invest in it since it represents an important region for winter production.”
Smith credits strong partnerships as the foundation for growth in the business over the years in the Southeast. The Smith’s first partnership outside its Maine operations was coincidentally with another Smith family.
“No relation to us, but we have become a family anyway,” she said.
“I really want to celebrate how special it is to have 25 years in business here in Florida,” Smith continued. “Zane, Arlie and Wesley Smith have been growing potatoes in Florida for generations, and we share the same commitment to preserving a legacy of farming family land. It was a natural fit for us to partner with the Florida Smiths in 1999 on our first broccoli crop here. We have no other partnerships as long or established as this one, and these strong alliances are the key to how we operate. The trust and cooperation that it takes to not only survive but thrive over 25 years is the component that can’t be quantified.”