By Frank Giles In September, the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) hosted its annual conference in Orlando. Specialty crop growers gathered for three days of engagement and education. One of the forums held during the conference was a panel discussion on the new Trump administration and trade. Participants included Lauren Reamy, Penn Avenue Partners; Carolyn Gleason, McDermott Will & …
BJ’s Wholesale Club Honored as FFVA’s Customer of the Year
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) honored BJ’s Wholesale Club with its 2025 Customer of the Year Award. The award was presented during FFVA’s annual convention in Orlando. The annual award recognizes the important role that food service and retail merchandising play in the promotion and sale of fresh Florida produce. It is given to a valued partner that …
Vance Whitaker Honored as FFVA’s Researcher of the Year
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) presented Dr. Vance Whitaker with its 2025 Researcher of the Year Award. The award was presented in September during FFVA’s annual convention in Orlando. The Researcher of the Year Award is given to deserving individuals who have dedicated themselves and their work to improving Florida agriculture. Whitaker, a professor of horticulture and …
FFVA Issues Letter Concerning H-2A Program
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) is calling for the repeal of the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) Methodology Rule and the H-2A Worker Protection Rule; action that would impact the current labor crisis, including in Georgia and Alabama. The FFVA submitted a letter to the White House Office of Management and Budget. The repeal is necessary since both …
H-2A Help: FFVA, Other Ag Organizations Submit Letter to Secretary Vilsack
Florida’s new Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) is $16.23 and will become effective Dec. 30. It marks a 10% increase from the previous year’s rate of $14.77. The AEWR increases are part of the reason, the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA), along with other industry organizations, submitted a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack this week. The …
FFVA’s Rumenik Discusses Farm Bill at Expo
By Clint Thompson The ongoing farm bill discussions were a highlight of this year’s general session at the Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo. Tori Rumenik, director of commodity services and supply chain at the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA), discussed the important piece of legislation. She believes its finalization will hinge greatly on what happens in November. “I think …
FFVA Comments on Salmonella Investigation Report
This spring a multistate outbreak of Salmonella (Salmonella Africana and Salmonella Braenderup) occurred, and the ensuing investigation indicated that the illnesses were potentially linked to cucumbers. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported their finding on July 2. The investigation update named a Florida grower as a possible source of illness for this outbreak. …
You’ve Got Mail: FFVA Chair Provides Comments to Governor on Farmworker Housing Situation
David Hill, chairman of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA), sent a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis in mid-June in support of Senate Bill 1082. Senate Bill 1082 According to the Florida Senate: “Senate Bill 1082 preempts a local government from inhibiting the construction or installation of housing for legally verified agricultural workers on land classified as agricultural if …
FFVA Issues Statement Following Farmworker Bus Crash
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) issued a statement following Tuesday morning’s fatal bus crash involving Florida farmworkers in west Marion County. “We were devastated to learn of Tuesday morning’s fatal crash involving a bus transporting farmworkers, and all of us at the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) are lifting these individuals and their families in our prayers,” …
Labor, Trade Highlight FFVA Letter to USDA
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to strengthen Florida’s specialty crop industry. The FFVA submitted a letter to the USDA last week, outlining recommendations on how it could better support the state’s specialty crop industry, through the USDA’s Specialty Crop Competitiveness Initiative. The recommendations stemmed from the current challenges Florida growers …



















