New State Resource Connects Farmers, Consumers

Florida is making it easier for farmers to find buyers for their fruits and vegetables by connecting them with consumers online. Agriculture commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services have created a Florida Farm to You commodities list, connecting potential buyers with farmers and producers of Florida-grown commodities like fresh produce, seafood and poultry.

The Florida Farm to You commodities list is updated daily with Florida-grown products including tomatoes, watermelons, lettuce, blueberries, oysters, chicken and fish.
 
By emailing FLFarmToYou@FDACS.gov, Florida farmers list their available products listed. Buyers, food banks, and consumers can directly connect with growers selling these products using contact information on the list. Fried has also spoken with large retailers including Publix, Walmart and Whole Foods, as well as state agencies and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, requesting that they purchase or stock more Florida-grown commodities.
 
“There’s no silver bullet to solving the decreased demand from foodservice businesses, but by connecting our agricultural producers with willing takers, we can help move Florida-grown products from fields to consumers,” says Fried.