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Squash History

Crookneck sqaush has a bulbous shape and can have a somewhat rough texture. Its flesh is pale yellow and when cut open you can also see the seeds. The entire crookneck squash is edible including the skin, flesh, and seeds. The flavor is sweet combined with a light nut taste. It is very good baked in the oven with cheese and can be a great addition to any salad. The crookneck squash does very well in Florida, and we have several growers outside of Plant City that bring us squash during the season. The crookneck squash has been thought to have originated in Mexico or Central America and made its way north.

Squash & Health

Eggplant is a nutritional product with high amounts of dietary fiber and Vitamin C. Choosing a crookneck squash is relatively easy, like many fruits and vegetables you should avoid one that is too large or too small. These squash especially the larger ones tend to be bland. The skin is usually smooth, but can be somewhat rough or warty. Once you choose a nice medium sized squash it should keep by being refrigerated for up to four days.

Squash Nutrition Fact Chart

For Squash Growers

Do you grow squash? Are you looking for a handler to market your product? Wish Farms has been marketing fresh fruits and vegetables for independent growers for decades. The fact that Wish Farms is a grower provides us the knowledge and expertise to market your produce effectively. Furthermore, we have the customer base of major chain stores, food service providers, wholesalers, and smaller retailers to give you an optimal return. We also place high importance on keeping our growers informed about market prices and trends. If you are interested in having Wish Farms market your squash crop contact us. We welcome the opportunity to handle and sell your crop.

Strawberry History & Facts

There are over 600 varieties of strawberries grown all over the world. While strawberries are virtually available year round the growing season in Florida is typically November through May. Strawberries have been cultivated here in the United States as early as 1643 by the American Indians. Another interesting fact about the strawberry is that it is the only fruit that has its seeds on the outside. A strawberry has on average about 200 tiny seeds, which are the actual fruit of the strawberry plant. Strawberries have become a very popular fruit because of its sweet taste and health benefits.

Strawberries & Health

Strawberries contain many of the vitamins and nutrients that make up a healthy diet. Strawberries are an excellent source of Vitamin C and fiber. They are also a great source for the following essential nutrients: Potassium, Vitamin K, B Vitamins, Omega 3 fatty acids, and Magnesium to name a few. Furthermore, one cup of strawberries contains only 50 calories and almost 4 grams of fiber. Furthermore, they contain valuable antioxidants that are important for disease prevention.

Strawberry Recipes

Strawberries can be used in a variety of different foods. Please see our RECIPES section for an extensive list of deserts, salads, jams, smoothies, and many more.

Strawberry Nutrition Fact Chart

For Strawberry Growers

Do you grow strawberries? Are you looking for a handler to market your product? Wish Farms has been marketing fresh fruits and vegetables for independent growers for decades. The fact that Wish Farms is a grower provides us the knowledge and expertise to market your produce effectively. Furthermore, we have the customer base of major chain stores, food service providers, wholesalers, and smaller retailers to give you an optimal return. We also place high importance on keeping our growers informed about market prices and trends. If you are interested in having Wish Farms market your strawberry crop contact us. We welcome the opportunity to handle and sell your crop.

New Wish Farms Shopping Tote

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We have just received our new Wish Farms shopping totes. These shopping totes are durable and feature Misty the Wish Farms Garden Pixie on both sides. They also fold down for convenience and easy storage and stay folded by a button clasp. We are going to send a tote to anyone who is a fan of Wish Farms on Facebook, while supplies last. Simply fill out the form below and if you are not a fan already, simply follow the link at the bottom of the page to our Facebook page and become a fan!

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Field to Fridge

Wish Farm’s berries are handpicked in the early morning and packed into the plastic clamshell containers. They are then inspected for quality and tagged using the FreshQC continuous improve system and palletized right there in the field. The berries are then brought into a cooler where they are “pre-cooled” to an optimal temperature. After they are pre-cooled they are ready for transport to your local retailer’s distribution center where they are promptly merchandised for you to purchase. The time between being picked and purchased is in some cases as little as 36 hours!

Coolers

An important aspect of delivering fresh quality produce is having state of the art facilities. Wish Farms has large coolers on site that allow the product to be cooled immediately for shipment. These coolers and receiving facilities allow Wish Farms to maintain the integrity of a cold chain supply system. We also use temperature recorders on all of our refrigerated trucks to validate the temperature during the entire delivery.

Crate Houses

Wish Farms has a warehouse centrally located where all of our crate materials are created. This allows us to maximize efficiency by having a team whose sole responsibility is to make sure we are creating the correct amount of boxes for each of our products. Furthermore, the plastic clamshell containers are also stored with this material and distributed to our surrounding farms.

Wish Farms has been in business since 1922, and has always placed heavy importance on being active in the community.

Wish Farms First Ever U-Pick

On March 13th 2010 Wish Farms held its first ever u-pick. We opened one of our farms to a community u-pick. Attendees were only asked to make a minimum donation to the Redland's Christian Migrant Association and they were allowed to pick as many flats of berries as they would like. Wish Farms also provided all of the material to pick the berries in.

We had a tremendous turn-out, and estimated that we had close to 5,000 people come out and participate. Many people were from the local area food banks and other community organizations. Weather was perfect and everyone seemed to have a great time. You can find some u-pick testimonials here.

Gary Wishnatzki was so pleased with the attendance from the first u-pick that he decided to have another one. At this event we opened the field up to Society of St. Andrew, a local Girl Scout group, and the public ($3/Flat charge). The Society of St. Andrew had over 300 volunteers come out and pick approximately 5,015 lbs of berries which were distributed to Second Harvest, the Ronald McDonald House in Tampa Bay, 'Hope Children' in Tampa, and House of Hope in Merritt Island. We hope to be able to offer the same events next season!

Wish Farms Strawberry Pro-AM

On February 13th 2010 Wish Farms will be hosting the 5th Annual Strawberry Pro-Am Tennis Tournament at Avila Golf and Country Club in Tampa, Fl. This event has become quite successful in generating funds for the Redland Christian Migrant Association (RCMA). This includes funding for new schools in under-served rural areas, and the Wishnatzki Family Migrant Scholarship which assists in the funding of a graduate degree in education for children whose families are engaged in farm work. Gary was invited to fill a seat on the RCMA board earlier this year where he is able to provide valuable input for future progress.

Furthermore, the Strawberry Pro-Am features pros paired with individual men and women. This past year we had 11 team sponsors that included Mercedes-Benz of Tampa, Outback Steakhouse, Jaguar of Tampa, Green Giant, and a variety of other sponsors that all make the tournament possible. This year we hope to raise over $100,000. If you are interested in sponsoring this event or would like more information feel free to contact Amber Kosinsky This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it here at the home office.

University of South Florida

Wish Farms has been very active in donations to the University of South Florida. These donations have been delivered through a couple activities including the aforementioned Strawberry Pro-Am and the annual sale of Wish Farms strawberries on campus.

Florida Strawberry Festival

The Florida Strawberry Festival was born in the 1930's when a newly formed club called the Plant City Lions decided to create an event that would celebrate the strawberry harvest. Today the Strawberry Festival is organized by a board of directors and a small year long staff that make the event possible. The Strawberry Festival draws crowds from all over during this 10 day event which includes great rides, arts, crafts, livestock showings, and of course the top of the line live rock and country performances.

Because the Strawberry Festival is such an important event in the community, Wish Farms has decided to sponsor a day during the festival and naming it Farm Worker Appreciation Day. Wish Farms (Gary Wishnatzki) decided that it was only appropriate to recognize the people who make the strawberry season possible. Farm workers are encouraged to ask their farm managers for free admission tickets that are good for this day. We are expecting close to 5,000 farm workers to attend on Farm Worker Appreciation Day.

Wish Farms Farmworker Appreication Day at the Strawberry Festival

On March 13th 2010 Wish Farms will be sponsoring Farm Worker Appreciation Day at the Florida Strawberry Festival. Gary Wishnatzki wanted to allow farm workers to attend the festival which has come to existence because of these hardworking individuals. Farm workers are encouraged to ask their employers for tickets.

These tickets are only intended for active farm workers, and any local growers in the area are encouraged to call us if interested in this great event. Feel free to contact Amber Kosinsky @ 813-752-5111 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .