State Farmers Markets Ship Florida Commodities Across the Country
In partnership with: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
For more than 80 years, Florida state farmers markets have provided communities across the state and nation with fresh, delicious products.
During the Great Depression, the state searched for a project to help with employment, leading to the development of Florida state farmers markets. To conveniently move commodities, markets were opened next to railways, creating jobs throughout Florida. The 1960s saw the peak with over 30 markets. Now, 12 markets remain.
The market is a commercial epicenter for agribusinesses to collect, sort, pack and ship commodities to cities across the country. It is also a gathering place for the ag industry and the community.
The Wall Street of Florida Ag
“At one time, Pompano State Farmers Market was considered the Wall Street of the produce industry,” says J.T. Guida, CEO of Pexco Produce Sales with locations at the Plant City and Edward L. Myrick State Farmers Markets (formerly Pompano State Farmers Market).
The expansion of housing, packing houses and other land demands have changed the farmers market through the years, but Pexco seeks opportunities to grow with these changes.
While most think imports from outside of Florida hinder the markets, Guida says imports have provided an opportunity for consolidation. Often when a truck picks up import commodities and isn’t full, companies reach out to the markets to fill the rest of the space.
“A lot of people say that Pexco has been the leader in the consolidation business. We were consolidating back in 1970-72. We’ve been doing it for 50 years. And the best part about it: We are being emulated all the time.”
Gift Baskets, Brokering & Beyond
Beth Boris Waldorf grew up going to the state farmers markets with her father, Ira Boris, who started the I. Boris Company at the Pompano State Farmers Market in 1954.
Waldorf recalls childhood memories walking along the platform with her father as he selected the produce. “All the produce coming in, coming off the farm trucks and going onto the 18-wheeler trucks,” Waldorf says. “That whole thing was just very fascinating.”
Farmers would bring in the produce and unload it onto conveyor belts – on rollers, not electric – and stack the commodities up high until the truckers came to pick up and distribute the goods across the country. But as production houses moved to the farms, Pompano became more of a consolidation point.
Although it isn’t the hustle and bustle the market used to be, the brokering aspects have not changed much. Price lists flow in on Mondays and Thursdays and are sent to the customers for ordering.
Alongside the brokering business, Waldorf started Miss Beth’s Groves & Gifts. “A lot of people like to ship something from Florida,” says Waldorf, who ships Florida citrus gift fruit as well as all-occasion baskets with honey, fruit wine and more, allowing people and corporate clients to ship products across the country.
See more: Farmers Markets are Vital to Florida Agriculture
Recipe for Nostalgia
The oldest restaurant in Lee County, Farmers Market Restaurant, welcomes guests for fresh food created from local commodities at the Fort Myers State Farmers Market.
“Recipes have been handed down, and we work hard to preserve them and to serve them consistently even though they are made from scratch daily,” says Betsy Barnwell, who owns and manages the restaurant.
The tradition and memories created within the restaurant resonate with visitors, along with the fresh, local food.
“The nostalgia this restaurant gives people is really special,” Barnwell says. “So many times, it may be about a parent or grandparent that has passed away, and they fondly remember eating here with them many years ago. Not many places have the opportunity to feed generations of folks.”
A Future for Generations to Come
The farmers markets provide agriculture jobs, family memories and state pride for generations. Consumer demands and changes have led to hurdles, but the state farmers markets persevere to provide commodities nationwide, making them crucial to the economy, locally and nationally.
“The market is still important to all Florida growers, as they will always have an outlet to move their products,” Guida says. “They can rely on professionalism for all who will handle their products for sale.”
See more: The Spicy Datil Pepper Is a Local Florida Favorite