While most of the U.S. experienced one of the coldest springs on record this year, sweet corn growers in the state of Florida hit new highs production with consecutive week totals that exceeded 1.6 million crates shipped.

In a release, the Sunshine Sweet Corn Farmers of Florida (SSCFF) group said with its members it had helped drive this movement by supporting an integrated marketing campaign that reaches multiple audience across a variety of channels.

"We faced a variety of obstacles, including extended cold in the north U.S. and trucking challenges during a critical period," said SSCFF president Paul Allen.

"Despite that, we shipped nearly 7.8 million crates in April and May."

The release said many retailers cited the corn's quality as a driving force behind growth in spring sales, which was aided by SSCFF member-funded third-party inspections.

"When you are able to drive purchase and deliver a great tasting product to the market, you have the recipe for a successful season, regardless of the challenges you face," Allen said

"As an industry, we have invested significant time and resource to change the perception of sweet corn as just a summer vegetable and improve attitudes toward spring corn," added SSCFF marketing committee chair Ted Wanless.

"Through an integrated campaign that has included outreach to trade, media, influencers and consumers, we have been able to grow sales in the face of hyper local and seasonal trends."

The release highlighted that Florida has been the U.S.'s biggest sweet corn-growing state for more than 50 years, and that the crops were non-GMO seed varieties that are reviewed and approved each year.

www.freshfruitportal.com