PLANT CITY, FL - Berries have the power to spark joy from the time they hit your plate to the time you taste their sweetness. In a time when we could all use a bit more sweetness, growers are partnering with community leaders to ensure a consistent supply of fresh produce. International grower and year-round marketer of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, Wish Farms, recently announced it is aiding local food banks amidst these challenging times.

“Our industry has been under pressure to keep produce flowing to consumers during this unprecedented time. Our team is working diligently to keep our retail customers stocked,” said Gary Wishnatzki, Owner of Wish Farms. “However, we can’t forget that many millions of Americans were already food insecure before this crisis hit. We stand ready to support our food bank partners now and in the future, because everyone deserves to have access to healthy food.”

As stated in a news release, over the last two weeks, Wish Farms has donated 220,000 pounds of fresh strawberries (equivalent to 241 pallets on 9 semi-trucks) to Feeding Tampa Bay, United Food Bank of Plant City, and others.

“The need is urgent. We have seen double the amount of people we normally see since the crisis began. With stores having a hard time keeping shelves stocked, our organization’s usual supply chain has been severely interrupted,” said Mary Heysek, Director of United Food Bank of Plant City.

The health benefits of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries have been widely shared with the public over the decades. Studies have shown that they support healthy immune, cardiovascular, and digestive health among many other benefits.

How will the fresh produce industry continue to ensure the supply of fresh produce? Whatever the case, you can bet on ANUK bringing you the latest news.

Wish Farms