“Our Georgia crops began a bit later than normal this year,” Jimmy Myrick, vice president of Edward L. Myrick Produce in Andersonville, GA, told The Produce News April 18. “We will start on May 15 with squash and beans, but things may speed up a little depending on the weather. The crops, we’re happy to report, are all in good condition. Between April 15 and 20 is pretty normal for us, so we don’t expect to be very late.”

The company’s location-further north in Georgia than most major producers-means that it plants a little later than others. And Myrick noted that there is always some overlap between eastern growing regions as production moves north from Florida every year.

“Some people are speculating that Georgia’s crops in some areas may be considerably late, but we’re having good weather now and we expect everything to come on nicely,” he noted.

Myrick is the second generation to work in the family firm. It was founded by his father, Edward L. Myrick, in 1974, who continues as an active participant in the daily operations. The company grows bell peppers, hot peppers, summer squash, beans, corn and cucumbers. It produces the majority of fresh produce that it handles, but it also represents Minor Produce, Inc., a major farmer in Georgia.

“We run product from Georgia from May through July, and from September through November,” said Myrick. “Minor Produce is the farming company, and we act as its sales agent. We also have several other farmers growing in partnerships with us. Overall, we handle about 1,500 acres in Georgia, most of which produce beans and cucumbers.”

Florida crops move through the company’s Pompano Beach office from November through June. It also functions as a broker by representing several small farmers. Its Florida and Georgia lines are mostly of dry vegetables. Consolidation is an important service that the firm offers today.

Myrick said that green bean consumption continues to increase.

“We think that this growth trend will continue into the future,” he said. “It’s a healthy vegetable, and people today are more aware and concerned about their health and nutrition. “Also pushing the demand is our offerings of value added packages that makes it easier than ever for consumers to prepare them at home.

“Another aspect that is helping to increase consumption is that everyone is doing a better job producing them today,” Myrick continued. “The seed companies are producing better varieties; growers continually learn better production methods and promotional efforts all combine to help the demand grow.”

The company is well-known in the industry for its “Bayview” brand. Edward Myrick worked for the South Carolina farmer who used the name in the late 1970s. The company dissolved in 1989, leaving the label to become obsolete. Edward L. Myrick purchased it in the late 1990s. The label’s history is an integral part of what makes it interesting and notable to customers.

Myrick also explained that the company’s pole cucumber program in Honduras continues to increase.

“This program has been going on for over a decade,” he said. “We use our ‘Monty’ brand for the cucumbers and pepper line, which is also produced in Honduras during the growing season. Our program there continues to be very strong and it grows with every year. Winter squashes, also from Honduras, are also doing very well. We increase our volumes as the demand dictates.”

Edward L. Myrick ships from Pompano Beach and Plant City in Florida, and from Leslie, GA.