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Smith’s Farm celebrating 25 years of Florida broccoli

By
John Groh

smithSmith’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.”

Smith said so much has changed in Florida during the past 25 years, and together they have navigated change from labor challenges to food safety regulations while continuing to remain innovative on growing the post-harvest handling practices.

“Onboarding change is really the main job of longevity in any farming operation, including ours, and the Florida Smiths have been with us every step of the way since 1999,” she said. “We’re always trying to stay competitive and build efficiency in our business, and when we can rely on the experience of the Smith family and our production manager, Gary Allman, it gives us a huge advantage.”

As for the season ahead, Smith said that everything looks promising for a great year.

“I’m very proud of our program here and our partnership with the Smiths,” she said, “and we are looking forward to seeing our efforts yield next-level success in 2025.”

John Groh

John Groh

About John Groh  |  email

John Groh graduated from the University of San Diego in 1989 with a bachelors of arts degree in English. Following a brief stint as a sportswriter covering the New York Giants football team, he joined The Produce News in 1995 as an assistant editor and worked his way up the ranks, becoming publisher in 2006. He and his wife, Mary Anne, live in northern New Jersey in the suburbs of New York City.

 

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