Scotlynn Sweet-Pac readies for Florida spring push after weather challenges
Scotlynn Sweet-Pac readies for Florida spring push after weather challenges
Scotlynn Sweet-Pac Growers, which proudly refers to itself as “North America’s Farm Stand,” is preparing for a strong spring season as its Florida sweet corn program gets underway, despite a difficult winter that tested growers across the region.
What began as a small family farm in the 1990s has grown into one of Ontario’s largest farming operations, with a diverse portfolio that includes sweet corn, melons, pumpkins and asparagus.
Today, the Belle Glade, FL-based company sources produce from both the United States and Canada, allowing it to deliver fresh products across North America year-round.
According to Bryan Biederman, one of the company’s owners, the Florida season is just getting started—and expectations are high.
“We are on the eve of our Florida spring corn volume kicking off,” Biederman said. “Once we start, it should be all systems go. Supplies will be strong and the quality looks great.”
This year’s season, however, comes with a unique set of challenges. A series of winter weather events significantly delayed production and impacted crops across Florida.
“Our volume was delayed by a good three weeks,” Biederman said. “Mother Nature hit us extremely hard this winter. We sustained four mornings of freezing temperatures in late January and early February that wiped out our winter vegetables. It was catastrophic for Florida farmers.”
Despite those setbacks, Scotlynn Sweet-Pac has rebounded and is focused on delivering for its customers.
“That being said, we are back and ready to serve,” Biederman said. “Moving forward, we are excited to send our fresh Florida sweet corn all over North America.”
Sweet corn remains a cornerstone of the company’s spring program, and Biederman noted that both quality and supply are aligning well as harvest begins. The company is also seeing continued success with its value-added offerings, particularly its traypack corn program.
“Our traypack corn program continues to grow and represent Sweet-Pac in the best retailers in the U.S. and Canada,” he said. “We take great pride in being on those shelves. Our eye-catching traypack draws the consumer in and keeps them coming back for more.”
While the Florida season may be shorter than in past years due to the delayed start, the company is optimistic about maintaining momentum through strong partnerships and a seamless transition into its next growing region.
“Florida sweet corn will be a sprint for us compared to past seasons, but we are optimistic that our northern partners will support us and push it hard,” Biederman said. “Our continuity of supply will be covered by our Georgia crop coming in late May. That crop looks strong as well, and we will roll right through Memorial Day and the Fourth of July with great product.”
Beyond corn, another highlight of the spring season is the company’s Ontario asparagus crop, which is shaping up to be a standout.
“We hope to start cutting by the first week of May,” Biederman said. “It’s shaping up to be our largest asparagus crop yet, and we can’t wait to start shipping it.”
As the company moves through the season, its focus remains on supporting growers and maintaining high standards across its operations.
“We work closely with all of our growers to provide the guidance and resources they need to meet our standards,” Biederman said. “We care about what we grow and how we grow it, and that includes making sure everyone working in our fields is in a safe environment.”
In a competitive produce landscape, Scotlynn Sweet-Pac continues to differentiate itself.
“Our focus continues to be on service,” Biederman said. “There are a lot of companies selling the same seasonal vegetables, but we try to exceed our customers’ expectations every day.”
The company will also be heading to the CPMA show in Toronto, where it will be part of the Fresh From Florida Pavilion.
“We invite people to come by and say hello to the team,” Biederman said.
