Feb 21, 2019

$90K for charity raised by Strawberry Picking Challenge

More than $90,000 for a migrant charity was raised by the sixth annual Strawberry Picking Challenge held Feb. 8-9 in Plant City, Florida.

The annual charity event, presented by Monte Package Company, raises funds that benefit the children of the Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA). RCMA operates 66 child-care centers serving low-income, rural areas in 21 counties around Florida. The Tampa Bay Area alone hosts 18 centers.

The Strawberry Picking Challenge featured 20 corporate-sponsored teams competing in an exciting relay-style strawberry-picking race. Publix, International Paper, Farm Credit of Central Florida and Amalie Oil were just a few of the generous organizations that contributed to make the event an inspiring success. Local strawberry growers cheered on competitors and coached the corporate teams through the picking challenge.

Local first responders even fielded teams.  Two of the teams featured Hillsborough County Fire Rescue firefighters and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies.

Ultimately, the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA), coached by Kane Hannaford from G&D Farms, was crowned 2019’s “Best Harvest Crew.”

FFVA is the newest team to have its name inscribed on the “Strawberry Joe Trophy” which is held each year by the winners to celebrate their victory until they must pass it on to the next year’s champions.

In addition to the sponsor brackets, local strawberry growers nominated their best harvesters to battle it out in a professional picking competition.  A total of $800 was awarded to these master pickers.

There was a charity U-pick open to the public and other family-friendly fun like a strawberry shortcake eating contest, balloon artists, games, music, and even a special appearance by the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court.  The crowd was also treated to a performance by N.R.G., “Next Radical Generation,” a Plant City youth singing group.

All proceeds from the Strawberry Picking Challenge benefit Redlands Christian Migrant Association, a non-profit that operates child-care centers and charter schools serving Florida’s low-income, rural population, particularly the children of agricultural workers. Wish Farms is a long-time supporter of RCMA. Since the event began in 2014, the Strawberry Picking Challenge has donated a total of over $513,000 to the children of RCMA.

“The turnout was our best yet with an estimated 2,500 attendees,” said Gary Wishnatzki, owner of Wish Farms. “This event brings the community together to celebrate the Florida strawberry season and show our appreciation for the dedicated farmers and field workers.  We are grateful to support RCMA and the important work they do for our industry.”

In addition to operating day care centers, RCMA also operates three charter schools, including two in Wimauma, in south Hillsborough County. Founded in 1965, RCMA serves over 7000 children each day starting them on the past towards successful school and life outcomes. For more information about RCMA please visit www.rcma.org.

Wish Farms, founded in 1922 and third-generation owned, is one of the largest shippers of strawberries in Florida and has been for over 50 years.  Nationally recognized for quality and innovation, Wish Farms is a year-round supplier of strawberries, blueberries and blackberries growing both conventional and organic varieties. Wish Farms utilizes How’s My Picking?, a patented tool for traceability to ensure quality by tying consumer feedback to the harvest time, field location, picker, etc. For more information about Wish Farms, please visit www.wishfarms.com.

Monte Package Company is a service-oriented, direct distributor of agricultural containers and products for produce packers and growers throughout North America. Their state-of-the-art facilities located in Riverside, Michigan; Benton Harbor, Michigan; Lakeland, Florida; and Boynton Beach, Florida; combined with their national trucking contacts, shipping programs and highly skilled staff provide superior service and quality products coast to coast – on time, every time. For more information please visit www.montepkg.com.