Hillsborough County Public Schools
Teaching Kids About Florida Agriculture - Food, Farmers & Fun!
D I G I T A L M A G A Z I N E TM E N R I C H M E N T
Florida
CUSTOM EDITION
Our aim is to improve the health and education of school children with a diverse variety of meal options.
The goal of the Locally Grown Project is to build a sustainable Farm to School Program in Hillsborough County.
Support locallygrown.org
Hillsborough County Public Schools Food & Nutrition Services is proud to be participating in Farmers Market Fridays serving local Florida crops and celebrating local farmers.
Tangerines
Sweet Corn
Tangerines
Florida is the number 1 producer of tangerines in the United States.
FOUR Main Types of Tangerines Grown in FL:
Fallglo Sunburst
Royal Honey
Tangerine trees grow to be 10-15 feet tall.
Florida is home to around 10,490 acres of tangerine trees.
In Florida, tangerines are in peak season from October to mid-November.
“Easy Peelers”
Tangerines are easier to peel than most other citrus fruit.
Tangerines are known
1 tangerine tree can produce up to 7,000 tangerines
Tangerine trees are evergreen.
Out of all citrus fruits, tangerines are the most resilient to cold weather.
Florida
Noble Citrus
Started in 1926, Noble Citrus is a 4generation family farm and business.
Noble Citrus’ fruit is all hand picked.
4,400+ acres of groves.
LARGEST tangerine producer in Florida.
in craftcultivated tangerines.
Noble Citrus also grows grapefruits & blueberries!
Noble Citrus was founded by William G. Roe.
Adam Roe - part of the 4th generation of the Noble Citrus.
500 Ave R SW, Winter Haven, FL
33880
Yellow Squash
Florida harvests around 85,000 pounds of squash each year.
2 types of squash:
WINTER & SUMMER.
Yellow squash is a type squash.
Squash are related to melons! All type of squash are considered a fruit!
Most of the yellow squash grown in
after flowering.
“Straightneck Squash”
Yellow squash with the best flavor are typically only long.
1 acre of land could grow around 11,000 squash!
As their name suggests, summer squash varieties are in peak season during the summer months.
Florida
Torbert Produce
Torbert Produce is a family farm that has been around since
Torbert Produce is home to 2,000 acres of zucchini and yellow squash.
A L L
Torbert Produce is grown from seed.
“We take pride in delivering valuable services and foods that are unparalleled in nutrition, flavor and in appearance
20001 SW 344th St.
Homestead, FL 33034
Owner Tommy Torbert and his 4 sons: Thomas, David, Eric & Alex.
Florida
Sweet Corn
Florida is the largest producer of fresh market sweet corn in the U.S.
The U.S. is the LARGEST producer, consumer & exporter of corn in the world.
Humans only eat sweet corn
Florida is home to 37,000+ acres of sweet corn. Palm Beach County produces over 50% of Florida’s sweet corn.
In many other countries, corn is called “maize
1 corn stalk produces 1 - 3 ears of corn
Corn stalks can grow between 7 – 10 feet tall.
An ear of corn ALWAYS
There are around 800 kernels on each ear of corn. field crop.
Hatton Farms
R.C. Hatton Farms is now 8,000 acres of land.
R.C. Hatton Farms is located beside Lake Okeechobee in an area known for its rich and fertile “black gold” soil.
Take a closer look at the journey your corn took to reach your plate!
R.C.
135 Bacom Point Rd. Pahokee, FL 33476
Florida
Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit thrives in Florida’s mild climate and abundant sunshine.
The darker the dragon fruit, the sweeter it is.
4
Dragon fruit is also known as “pitaya. ”
Dragon fruit is a night
Types of Dragon Fruit:
1. Red skin/white flesh
2.
3.
4.
Dragon fruit plants grow to be up to 20 feet
Dragon fruit tastes like a mix between a kiwi and a pear.
Dragon fruit grows on a “climbing cactus plant. ”
Red skin/red flesh
Red skin/purple flesh
Yellow skin/white flesh
Redlands Best
Redlands Best has been in the tropical agriculture business for 30 years.
Redlands Best specializes in tropical fruits.
In addition to dragon fruits also grows lychees, logans
Redlands
Redlands Best’s is home to 200 acres of tropical
Redlands Best’s location provides the perfect climate for tropical fruits to grow.
Abundant sunshine
20601 SW 194 Avenue Miami, FL 33187
Florida produces about 300 million gallons of milk/year. Lafayette and Okeechobee are Florida’s leading dairy counties.
Florida is home to around 125,000 dairy cows.
Dairy Cows: 6
1. Ayrshire
Nearly 98% of U.S. dairy farms are family owned & operated.
3. Guernsey
4. Holstein
5. Jersey
6. Milking Shorthorn
1 cow produces around 6 gallons of milk per day. Holstein cows all have a unique pattern of spots!
The reason milk is white is because it contains “casein”
ALL 50 states have dairy farms!
The U.S. produces ~227 BILLION pounds of milk each year.
Farmers measure milk in
- a type of protein.
Milk is the source of ALL dairy products!
2. Brown Swiss
Milk
Florida
M&B Dairy
M&B Dairy is a family farm home to over 700 dairy cows.
Recycling plays a big role.
M&B Dairy is a leader in the industry with their environmentally 8760
M&B dairy cows are milked 3 times a day.
COMFORT for their cows with open-air
M&B Dairy provides milk to over districts in Florida.
S Lecanto Hwy. Lecanto, FL 34461
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