Good afternoon everyone. As you may have seen on the local media stations we decided to hold our first ever u-pick at one of our 46 acre farms located on Sparkman Rd. in Plant City. We were expecting a pretty good turn out, but nothing like we got. We estimate that we had close to 5,000 people come by the farm that day. We advertised that it would start from 9am -4pm and I was pleasantly surprised to see a rather large group waiting at the farm at 7:45 am. So, it was only right that we started the u-pick around 8:15am. All that we asked from patrons was for them to make a minimal donation to the Redland’s Christian Migrant Association (RCMA). We ended up raising close to $6500 for them so we were quite pleased.
It was a great day on Saturday, we could not have asked for better weather. Families came out with their children who picked strawberries for the very first time. It was great to see how excited some people got to have the opportunity to pick their very own strawberries. We estimate that close to 10,000 flats were picked and Wishnatzki Farms provided all of the material they needed to pick their berries.
All in all, Gary was very pleased with the turn out and the success of the event. And whether we will decide to do it again this season or next… only time will tell. So, be sure to check out our home page www.wishfarms.com for updates.
Tags: RCMA, Strawberry u-pick, Wish Farms, Wishnatzki Farms
I just want to say that you are the kind of business people that made America great. The kind that are too rare these days. You were willing to stick your necks out and accept the minor risk of injury lawsuits to allow families to come and enjoy a once in a lifetime opportunity to pick strawberries that would otherwise be wasted. You went the extra mile and took up a collection for the pickers who were counting on work that was not economical to provide. I, for one, will be looking for the Wishfarms label when I go shopping because you deserve to be rewarded for being real, decent people instead of just corporate profiteers.
Jeff,
Thank you for you kind remarks. Gary Wishnatzki, President & CEO of our company is an individual who trys to always do the “right thing”. He was very pleased with the turnout this past Saturday, and we were glad to see so many people out in the field having a great time.
Thanks for being a Wish Farms supporter.
Marcus
I grew up on a farm in the South and always loved having fresh fruits and vegetables. Season came and we put them up for the winter months, canning and freezing. Now years later I am starting my own garden for my family. I always appreciated what my Grand Parents and Parents did on the farm. I loved it. I used to trail after my Grandpa like a little puppy and took any chore he threw my way and when he was done with me off to my Grandmother and Mother I went awaiting their instructions. I do miss those days. Anyway we really do wish all of you farmers would start selling direct to the public. These days with most people fed up with the grocery stores shipping in stuff from other countries and putting toxins in our foods we really just want real food from real people like yourselves who care about what they are doing. We loved the idea you had about people picking their own and realize that you need to earn a profit in order to survive, so we hope that you would consider doing a u-pick again even at a price where your family can earn some money. We really do wish you and your family the best.
Kind Regards,
Teresa
Teresa,
We enjoy making our products available to the public. We are lucky enough to have some great chain store customers that put emphasis on buying the freshest product available so that people outside our area can enjoy our product. We were very pleased with the turnout at our u-pick this past Saturday and may decide to do it again. If we do decide to do it again it will be advertised on our homepage http://www.wishfarms.com.
Thanks,
Marcus
I have to agree with Jeff. Thank you for your generosity. My husband had been out of work for 2 months. With our savings exhausted, we were having a difficult time being able to provide food for our family. By opening up your farm for that one day, you literally put food on our table. We picked enough to eat from for several days, freeze some for later, and share with neighbors. Thank you for caring about your community. Our family of 12 will also be looking for the Wishfarms label from now on.
I just the say how happy I was to purchase you Strawberries from Public’s. Then I read the article in the Herald Tribune on Tuesday and discovered the new about the U Pick Strawberry;s. How wonderful it sure does restore the faith. I will look for your berries always. I am from Michigan, and don’t know if I have ever seem in the store that I shop at, but will be sure to ask. Thanks again for sharing the wonderful experience of picking your own fruit with the wonderful people of Florida and not just distroying or letting it roit.
Thanks again and here’s to a great growing season next year.
Pat Noel