<p>The strawberry harvest is underway in the state of Florida. Acreage is up marginally having increased industry-wide, with small increases here and there this year, growers tell us. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>A new variety to come out of the University of Florida has created a buzz as well. The Florida Sensation is still only in its trial stage and not yet ready for mass distribution, but the new berry is getting quite the attention with anticipated availability for 2015-2016. The variety has lots of yield and flavor is good. University of Florida had a taste panel that judged the variety, President Gary Wishnazki, Wish Farms, tells us. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Wish Farms is trailing by a little bit, but anticipating increasing yield into new year with steady volumes.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Growers note that it’s all about the flavor for strawberries and consumers are focused on that element. With increasing acreage and lower prices coming from their Southern neighbors, growers note that proximity is key and ‘freshness’ is closer in terms of supply, in comparison to their southern neighbors. Great tasting.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Wishnatzki, tells us, that he does anticipate that labor will be a challenge for the industry, but Wish Farms has gotten out in front of that by bringing in guest workers from resources like the H-2A program.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we follow the Florida strawberry season.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
