Eat Local Florida Foods

This post was sponsored by Fresh From Florida as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central, however all opinions expressed are my own. 

Eat local Florida foods, like farm fresh fruits and vegetables.

I have lived in Florida all but the first five years of my life. I was raised in South Florida, and since, I have moved to North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, and back to North Florida. In that time, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing all that Florida has to offer, from shell-covered beaches to crystal-clear springs to tree-filled forests. There’s so much to discover outdoors throughout the state. One of our favorite things to do annually as a family is visit farms to go strawberry picking.

This has become somewhat of an annual tradition. In South Florida, we would pick tomatoes, strawberries, and peppers from about late November through late February. Strawberry picking season just opened in our new community in Gainesville this past weekend, the first weekend in March. A few weeks ago, we picked carrots, and in a few weeks, we can pick blueberries. It’s great to connect children with where their food is grown, and they love to eat local Florida foods.

If you live in Florida, here are a few ways you can eat local Florida foods and support our farmers:

1. When you head to the grocery store, look for the Fresh from Florida seal on all of your locally-grown produce.
2. Learn about the growing seasons in your area. Across different parts of the state, you can find different types of fruits and vegetables available throughout the year.
3. Visit a local you-pick farm. It’s a great way to bond with your kids while supporting your community.
4. Join a Community Supported Agriculture program and sign up for weekly or biweekly shares. This is something we have joined since moving to Gainesville, and we really love it. It’s a great way to try fruits, vegetables, and fresh herbs you may not have otherwise tried.
5. Purchase seeds and trees from local farmers to grow in your own yard. We currently have a mulberry tree, mandarin tree, plum tree, and blueberry plant, all purchased locally. We plan to plant a vegetable garden soon, too!
6. Rather than going to big chain restaurants, support small restaurants that purchase and prepare local ingredients {or even grow their own}.

If you want to experience some of the delicious fruits and vegetables grown in Florida, visit your local Target. Check out the produce section, and look for the Fresh from Florida label, like you see on the lower right of my strawberry package below.  Some of the produce items available this time of the year includes:

• Bell Peppers
• Strawberries
• Tomatoes
• Mushrooms
• Radish
• Snap Beans
• Cabbage

In addition to supporting Florida farms and farmers, when you shop locally, you also shop seasonally. This helps you to get the ripest, most delicious fruits and vegetables every time! In just a few weeks, I’ll follow-up with a delicious seasonal recipe made with locally-grown fruits and vegetables.

What’s your favorite way to eat local Florida foods?

Pin below for ways to support local agriculture!