Sustainable Landscapes: Carving the Way for Our Future
December 22, 2022Positive Change & Growth Through Opportunity
February 20, 2023Sweet Sixty Cold Storage & Packing Facility Acquisition
In January 2023, IMG Citrus completed the acquisition of the J&J Fresh Produce assets in Vero Beach, Florida. This strategic move includes a newly built 185,000 square foot cold storage and packaging facility and 1,000 acres of farmland in the Delta Farms water district.
The state-of-the-art facility, constructed in 2022, is equipped with 20 dock doors, advanced refrigerated storage, pre-coolers, and refrigerated packing rooms. This acquisition is a key milestone in our growth strategy, enhancing our supply chain and logistics capabilities. Melanie Ressler, Co-CEO of IMG Enterprises, emphasized the significance of this expansion in reinforcing our commitment to developing a robust summer citrus import program and addressing the increasing demand for our services.
Strategically located between I-95 and the Florida Turnpike, the facility's proximity to major ports like Port Everglades and the Port of Miami enhances our operational efficiency. It offers over 3,000 pallet positions and the potential for future expansion, aligning perfectly with our strategy of supply chain integration.
Despite recent challenges in the Florida citrus industry, IMG Citrus has remained resilient and optimistic. Our proactive approach has led to significant acquisitions, including the Happy Food Grove in 2019 and the Imagine grove in 2021. Our commitment to producing the finest Florida citrus is unwavering, as evidenced by our investments in both traditional and innovative farming practices.
Our Citrus Under Protective Screen (CUPS) project, initiated in 2021, represents a leap forward in controlled environment agriculture, enhancing the quality and yield of our citrus products. This, along with our continued investment in sustainable farming practices, showcases our dedication to innovation and environmental stewardship.
In addition to our focus on Florida citrus, we have expanded our operations to include year-round citrus availability through strategic imports from South America. This expansion not only meets the growing demand of our customers but also leverages our enhanced packing and storage capabilities.
This acquisition marks a pivotal moment for IMG Citrus and IMG Enterprises as a whole. It reinforces our position as a leader in the fresh citrus market and underscores our commitment to providing high-quality products to our global customers. We look forward to the opportunities this new facility will bring and the continued growth of IMG Citrus.