08/08/2016
Dear Patrons,
I regret to inform you that we will not be shipping fruit this upcoming 2016-2017 Citrus Season, but we plan to resume delivery of peaches next July.
President and C.E.O. George Brown and Harvesting Manager Martin Brown have diligently traveled, looked at and tested the present fruit and met with growers throughout the state of Florida in pursuit of "H & S Citrus" quality of oranges and grapefruit for you.
With the ongoing diseases of Canker, Greening and Postbloom Fruit Drop, the production and quantity of Florida citrus continues to decline every year. The continuance of warm weather, and lack of the much-needed colder temperatures, prohibits the tree from going dormant, therefore the tree sets numerous "off blooms" (large, dry and inedible fruit), which results in less fruit that we are able to use--it has to be thrown out--but we are obligated to pay the grower for it when it is harvested.
The acid is low again this year. It is the ratio of acid to brix (sugar content) that not only gives the citrus its wonderful taste of Florida Sunshine, but also contributes to the integrity of its shelf life. With low acid levels, the fruit lacks a strong flavor and is weak which causes it to decline quickly.
For these reasons, the Board has elected to not pack citrus this season, but will resume our Peach Tour in July 2017.
In closing, we want to thank you for your business and patronage and look forward to seeing you next summer.
