SunnyRidge Farm continues to expand its operations with the announcement in a press release of a key new employee, Sal Toscano, as well as a new distribution and packing center located in Plant City, Florida.
Sal Toscano joins SunnyRidge Farm to the newly created position of product manager, and brings over 23 years of agriculture experience and 18+ years of strawberry specific background having worked with various strawberry organizations in the Plant City, Florida area.
As product manager, SunnyRidge said Mr Toscano’s mission will be to assure the success of the business units he manages. His first responsibility will be to lead SunnyRidge Farm’s Florida strawberry program and assure another successful season as SunnyRidge enters its second year in the Florida strawberry business.
“We are very excited about the addition of Sal Toscano to our team,” said Keith Mixon, president and CEO of SunnyRidge Farm. “We believe this position is integral to our continued growth. Sal will be intimately involved with our sales, operations and farming departments, ensuring that our growers and customers receive the highest degree of service and quality.”
The new distribution and packing center, located on Jim Johnson Rd. in Plant City, Florida, features over 51,000ft2 of distribution and storage space. The building will be the centerpiece of the company’s strawberry program serving as the shipping, receiving and cooling facility.
In addition, the facility will support the company’s Florida blueberry as well as the Mexico, Argentina and Chile berry programs. The Winter Haven location will continue to function as the company’s main headquarters.
“The new building is an exciting step for SunnyRidge Farm,” said Mr Mixon. “Its prime location offers easy access to key arteries and thoroughfares providing excellent distribution opportunities to our customers in the Southeast.
“In addition, within a 30 mile radius of our new facility, you can find almost 50 per cent of Florida’s blueberry production and 80 per cent of Florida’s strawberry production which fits nicely with SunnyRidge Farm’s five year growth strategy.
SunnyRidge Farm represents berry growers from regions throughout North, Central and South America.
