Florida’s vegetable crops recovering post-Hurricane Irma

Palm Beach County, Florida’s vegetable farming industry is largely recovered from Hurricane Irma, which ripped through the area in September, destroying early plantings and delaying the plantings of sweet corn, green beans and other holiday favorites.

According to a report by PalmBeachCoast.com, Florida citrus growers were harder hit and could take years to recover. On Sept. 10, Irma moved through the center of the state pounding Florida’s major citrus producing regions with up to 110 mph winds and 15 inches of rain.

“Known as the nation’s winter vegetable capital, Palm Beach County is a major producer of leafy greens and vegetables. It has more than 450,000 acres in agricultural use, the majority of it in sugar cane.

Brett Bergmann, president and co-owner of grower-shipper Branch: A Family of Farms, headquartered in South Bay, said Tuesday, “Things are back to normal.”

Produce supplies were delayed, but now are on par with last year, Bergmann said.

Branch grows, ships and packs corn and beans from Florida, Georgia and other places and also grows and ships leafy greens, radishes and celery.

Gene Duff, vice president and general manager, Pioneer Growers Cooperative, Belle Glade, said green bean and sweet corn crops were delayed, but those are now being shipped to retailers along with radishes and cabbage.

Pioneer Growers is a grower owned marketing cooperative specializing in fresh sweet corn and mixed vegetables including green beans, radishes, and cabbage.

“Supplies should return to normal later this month or the first of the year,” Duff said.”

To access the entire PalmBeachPost.com story, visit here.

Photo above: Green beans are among the crops being harvested in western Palm Beach County, famous for its winter vegetable production. Photo: PalmBeachCoast.com