Following severe storm damage from Hurricane Milton, Wish Farms celebrates a resilient recovery and the first strawberry harvest in Florida, bringing fresh berries to grocery shelves soon.
Wish Farms, a prominent grower and marketer of berries, recently announced a milestone for Florida’s strawberry industry, marking the first harvested strawberry flat of the season.
The Plant City-based company, known for its year-round production of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and pineberries, shared the news with the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, an organization that annually commemorates the start of the harvest season.
G&D Farms, part of Wish Farms’ extensive berry-growing operations, stands as one of the world’s largest contiguous strawberry farms, covering 650 acres in Duette, Manatee County. Just weeks prior, this farm suffered significant damage from Hurricane Milton, which battered the area with winds exceeding 100 mph.
The powerful storm wreaked havoc on essential infrastructure, uprooting plastic beds, damaging irrigation systems, and even launching an 11,500-gallon tank nearly a mile into the nearby woods.
Chris Parks, the farm manager, officially informed the Florida Strawberry Growers Association about the first harvest, marking an important recovery milestone for the farm. The resilience of the Wish Farms team was underscored by the dedication of its workers, who labored tirelessly to repair the damage and ensure the readiness of the fields.
Nick Wishnatzki, PR Director at Wish Farms, expressed pride in his team’s efforts, stating, “It makes me very proud that only three weeks ago, this devastating storm made a direct hit, and here we are talking about harvesting the very first strawberries from this farm.”
The company is optimistic about the upcoming strawberry season and anticipates that Florida-grown strawberries will soon be available in grocery stores nationwide. Wish Farms aims to provide shoppers with high-quality berries, underscoring their commitment to taste and freshness despite the recent challenges.
Established in 1922, Wish Farms has grown into a respected name in the produce industry, with a rich family heritage spanning four generations. The company combines tradition with innovation, utilizing patented traceability technology to connect consumer feedback with specific details from each day’s harvest, ensuring high standards in quality and safety.
In addition to its commitment to providing top-quality berries, Wish Farms upholds a strong dedication to community service.
Through its Wish Farms Family Foundation, the company donates a portion of its profits to causes that address food insecurity, youth education, and local community needs, aligning with its mission to “Feel Good. Eat Berries. Make A Difference.”
For more information, visit the company’s official website at www.wishfarms.com.
