Letter from the Editor

As I’m writing this, the 2023 Florida Strawberry Festival is heading into its last weekend. It’s been a successful run so far and I’m sure it will continue to be so throughout the final weekend. I hope you had a chance to attend and see all that the Festival has to offer! Check out our April issue for coverage of the agriculture events that took place.

Also wrapping up as I write this, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) hosted its annual Florida Farm to School Conference in central Florida to connect with schools, distributors, and producers across the state with the goal of increasing Florida products served in schools. The event taught best practices for school gardening and procurement processes and also allowed for networking with other Farm to School advocates.

“When our schools prioritize Florida-grown food, we all succeed – from the local farmers who grew the food, to those who delivered the food, to the school staff who purchased and prepared the food, to the students who enjoy the fresh, nutritious food, and every Floridian in between,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “The Annual Florida Farm to School Conference presents a valuable opportunity to invite those who take part in bringing the food to our students’ lunch table together to make a meaningful impact in the lives of Florida’s students and agriculture-related industries.”

The initiative works to enhance the connection that communities have with local growers to increase Florida products served in schools.

According to a press release from FDACS, Florida schools purchased over $45 million in Florida products, contributing $97 million in total economic impact.

You can do your part to help boost Florida’s agriculture community by purchasing Fresh From Florida products. Your food will be the freshest available and you will support your local farmer and rancher.

Until Next Month

Sarah Holt

Publisher/Photography

Karen Berry

Senior Managing Editor/ Associate Publisher

Sarah Holt

Editor

Patsy Berry

Sales

Karen Berry

Sarah Holt

Melissa Nichols

George Domedion

Creative Director/Illustrator

Juan Alvarez

Photography

Karen Berry

Melissa Nichols

Staff Writers

Al Berry

Sandy Kaster

James Frankowiak

Sean Green

Contributing Writers

Woody Gore

John Dicks

Social Media

Victoria Saunders

In The Field Magazine is published monthly and is available through local Hillsborough County businesses, restaurants, and many local venues. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes all of the Greenbelt Property owners, members of the Hillsborough County Farm Bureau and Strawberry Grower’s Association.

Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: info@inthefieldmagazine.com or call 813-759-6909 to you. - Numbers 6:25

Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In the Field magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc.

Published by Berry Publications, Inc.

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