There are Florida produce loading opportunities available, but keep in mind it is autumn and volume is much lighter than it will be next spring. However, there are hauls available for vegetables, and strawberry loadings will be available this year, earlier than normal.
Vegetable growers in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties are shipping cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, herbs and fall watermelons while also preparing land and planting for later winter crops. In Miami-Dade County loadings of the fall vegetables and winter plantings have started. Cabbage and leafy greens are in the ground in Flagler and Putnam counties. Florida growers are also shipping eggplant, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, fall watermelons and some specialty items.
Florida strawberry shipments will be starting earlier than normal this year.
Light loadings typically begin in late November, and slowly build in early to mid-December, with good volume occuring by late December.
Because of earlier maturing berries this year, excellent volume will be taking place in time for Christmas holiday deliveries. Produce truckers should expect high volume by late November and early December, with shipments hitting full stride around December 20th or so.
Florida strawberry shipments could be up as much as 20 percent this season. Big volume loadings typically occur through March and finishing by mid-April.
Florida veggies – grossing about $2400 to New York City.