We have updated the Florida-Citrus online catalogue with lots of new great gifts and Citrus.  Check our General Information section for frequently asked questions about Internet commerce, Credit Card safety and Citrus in general.

Florida Citrus has many varieties, some which ripen starting in November (Navels, Tangerines, Hamlins) and some varieties ripen later ending the season around June (Valencias and Honey Tangerines).

Please take a moment tocome visit our Fresh from Florida Citrus site.  We can provide you with a large variety of Fresh, Juicy, and Sweet Florida Citrus, as well as unique specialty gifts.

Our Packing House is Licensed and Bonded by the Florida Department of Citrus and all fruit is subject to Inspection by the Florida Department of Agriculture.  We are also in the process of implementing an enhanced food safety program that covers all aspects of our operation.  Although there is currently no regulatory requirement for a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) program for fresh citrus fruit, we are developing a program for the Packing House facility to comply with the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Good Agricultural Practice Guidelines (GAP).  These Guidelines, which include recommendations on water quality, worker health and hygiene, grove practices, sanitation, and transportation are outlined in FDA's Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables.  We believe that compliance with the GAP Guidelines is a proactive approach to managing any food safety risks associated with fresh citrus fruit.

We are also taking further steps to assure the quality and safety of your citrus gifts and to provide for the safety and welfare of the Packing House employees.  The Mail Clerks are receiving special training from the Police Department; the Packing House physical plant and offices have been made more secure.   The employee hiring practices and employee supervision have received greater scrutiny.  We are also developing a tamper resistant tape seal.  We will be posting a sample image on the website shortly so you know what it looks like.  Our transportation trailers are sealed after they are loaded and we are making delivery reservations with the Postal Facility Distrubution Service Centers.  Each Facility will be told when the packages are in route and when to expect arrival.  The Postal employees have been made aware of this program and we hope this plan will assist them in delivering your gifts quickly and efficiently.

In an effort to better insure everyone's safety we will not be inserting any personal cards or notes into the gift packs this year.  The personal greeting on the shipping label will have to suffice.

The first packing day of the season will be November 7th.  Thanksgiving gifts will be shipped the week of November 12th.  Please order as soon as you can for Thanksgiving delivery.

Please give me a call or send an E-mail if you have any questions or comments.

Tom Mack