Topics of interest to Florida’s fresh citrus industry will be addressed at Citrus Packinghouse Day on Aug. 24 in Lake Alfred. The event will be held at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center. The free event in Ben Hill Griffin Hall will include an educational program, exhibitors and networking opportunities.
Attendees are encouraged to preregister for the event here. They may also register at the door on the day of the event. On-site registration will open at 8 a.m. The program runs from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
JBT FoodTech is sponsoring coffee and donuts. Lunch is sponsored by DECCO Inc., for the first 75 participants to register. JBT FoodTech is a global machinery corporation. DECCO Inc. supplies postharvest products to international food producers.
A highlight will be the John T. Leslie Award of Excellence presentation. The award was first presented in 1981 to John T. Leslie for recognition of an individual for outstanding leadership and service on behalf of the Florida fresh citrus industry.
Mark Ritenour, UF/IFAS professor of horticulture science is the coordinator of Citrus Packinghouse Day. Ritenour leads postharvest technology research at the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center in Fort Pierce.
“Packinghouse Day 2023 will feature presentations on promising technologies such as citrus grown under protective screens and oxytetracycline injection for HLB management,” said Ritenour. He added that updates will also be presented regarding:
- The latest phytosanitary and regulatory issues
- Global changes in packing regulations
- Current status of cold-hardy citrus in North Florida after the Christmas 2022 freeze
- Preharvest and postharvest fruit decay control methods
- Pesticide maximum residue limits
- Agriculture labor
Ritenour will open the event along with Florida Citrus Packers Executive Vice President Peter Chaires. Chaires will serve as moderator.
More information may be obtained from Ritenour at ritenour@ufl.edu or 772-577-7359.
Source: UF/IFAS