‘TIS THE SEASON FOR FLORIDA STRAWBERRIES

Now through the middle to end of March is the time to get and enjoy the ripest and sweetest strawberries grown right here in our own backyard.

Strawberry season runs from late December to midMarch and culminates with the annual Strawberry Festival in Plant City.

The Berry Barn , located at 3931 SR 60 in Dover, is an operating strawberry farm and the place to get fresh strawberries along with other fruits, vegetables and raw honey. The Berry Barn has a kitchen that offers up strawberry milkshakes, strawberry shortcakes and more. It is open daily from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and only accepts cash. The Berry Barn is open from January through March.

Parkesdale Market is located at 3702 W. Baker St. in Plant City. It is open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. during strawberry season. Strawberries are grown on its farm. In addition, it offers its world-famous strawberry shortcakes and milkshakes. You can get a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the year.

Goodson Farms is located at 12405 County Rd. 672 in Wimauma. It is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Strawberries are grown and harvested on-site. It, too, offers

By Kathy L. Collins

a variety of treats such as strawberry shortcakes only during strawberry season.

Crossroads Produce is located at 10463 County Rd. 39 in Lithia. It is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Crossroads Produce is open year-round and offers fruits, vegetables, pickled items and boiled peanuts along with flowers and plants.

The Market at St. Martin’s Farm is located at 4802 James Redman Blvd. in Plant City. The strawberries are grown on its fields. It is open 10 a.m.6 p.m. daily. The Market at St. Martin’s Farm is open throughout the year and offers a delightful assortment of seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Lott’s First Choice Family Farms is located at 804 SR 60 W. in Plant City. It was established in 1949 and are open seven days a week from 8 a.m.6:30 p.m.

Wolfe’s Produce Market is located at 6005 U.S. Hwy. 301 S. in Riverview. It is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday. Wolfe’s is open year-round and offers a delightful selection of fruits and vegetables in addition to the seasonal strawberries.

Nativity Catholic Church, located at 705 E. Brandon Blvd. in Brandon, ofers a variety of services that are not exclusive to its parishioners. The services are ofered as a part of its Pastoral Care. Services provided include counseling, food assistance, homeless assistance and support groups.

The church has been ofering services such as the food pantry for over 35 years. Others, like counseling, have been ofered for over 20 years.

When asked why the church ofers these services, Bonnie Ussery, director of Pastoral Care, said, “As Catholic Christians, we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ. We do this by ministering to those in our community who are in need and are hurting. We help them by sharing the love of Christ with them, by encouraging and enhancing the spiritual, economic and personal development of the people in the Brandon community.”

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, Nativity Catholic Church may be able to help.

If you need food assistance, the food pantry is open on Thursdays at 1 p.m. It

By Kathy L. Collins

serves individuals who live in the following zip codes: 33510, 33511, 33596 and 33594. It is a drive-through food pantry, so you must stay in your car. The pantry is offered on a first-come, firstserve basis. The line starts at 12 Noon.

If homeless assistance is needed, then, as Ussery explained, “Our homeless ministry provides homeless bags with food and toiletries and other necessities such as blankets and rain ponchos (when available). We also partner with Family Promise of Hillsborough County to assist homeless families in need to regain their independence and dignity. Our Peanut Butter and Jelly Ministry makes and distributes thousands of sandwiches every two weeks to locations across the Tampa Bay area to organizations that assist the homeless and also makes up and distributes ‘goodie bags’ for the homeless three times a year that include socks, snacks, toiletry items and more.”

The church ofers counseling as well. It has four licensed counselors who ofer individual, couples, marriage, youth and family counseling.

The church also helps moms in need of baby supplies as well as seniors who may need assistance for their daily needs.

Finally, the church ofers a six-week Group Bereavement session three times a year and a 12-week Surviving Divorce Group twice a year.

To get these services, simply call the church at 813-681-4608. You can also visit www.nativitycatholicchurch.org.