King Farms’ new farm and packing facility now in operation
King Farms’ new farm and packing facility now in operation
King Farms, a Naples, FL-based grower-shipper, added a new farm and packing facility in White Springs, FL, a strategic location that will give the firm access to all produce grown in Florida and Georgia.
“We are now operating at our new farm and packing facility in White Springs, Florida,” Steve Oldock, president of King Farms LLC, told The Produce News. “Our first harvest will be during the first week of October.”
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The new King Farms facility in White Springs, FL, gives the company a strategic location that will enable it to provide its clients with all produce grown in Florida and Georgia.he company started the operation on July 6 with plantings that will be continual with the growing seasons going forward. Its first fall crop will be Bell peppers, with a program that is expected to run to just prior to Thanksgiving.
“It is located at the junction of Interstate-10 and Interstate-75, making it a perfect place for consolidating,” Mr. Oldock said. “We are between the Georgia and Florida seasonal growing windows, which makes it very easy to consolidate for our customers.”
King Farms’ spring 2013 season plan at the new farm is to add additional Eastern vegetables and watermelons. The programs will start in May and run through June. Mr. Oldock noted that all of the food-safety certifications are in place at the new farm.
The company also recently expanded its staff.
“Sam Harrison has joined our team in the sales department,” said Mr. Oldock. “He brings over 20 years of experience in the trade to our company. Sam was hired in July. He will be manning the Lakeland office and be handling sales for the company.”
Bryan Jennings, also new with the company, will oversee the growing and packing process at the new farm and facility. He has been in the production end of the industry for over 20 years.
