Erickson Farm Inc. has been growing tropical fruit for over
100 years. Located in Canal Point, this 62-acre farm run by the Erickson family
is a popular place with Florida foodies. I am visiting the farm looking for lychees. “This year we have been getting more and
more Florida orders,” says Kim Erickson, Farm President.
“We’ll only be picking these for another few days,”
says Kim cutting lychees from green leafed branches. A UPS driver stands a
short distance away waiting for boxes of newly picked and cooled fruit. “Next Monday
we’ll start selling our ripe mangoes. This year the season will go into August,”
Kim says. The farm has 40-acres set aside for growing mango trees.
I buy a few pounds of lychees at $4/pound, and notice
someone next to me buying a box of multicolored mangoes. “Do you have any more
mangoes,” I ask Krista Erickson, sister of Kim and Treasurer and Director of
Operations at Erickson Farm.
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| Kim Erickson in front of mango tree at Erickson Farm LLC, Canal Point, Fla |
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| Freshly harvested Florida lychees from Erickson farm LLC, Canal Point, Fla. |
“Yes,” she says, reaching down to pick up a box
of green and red skinned mangoes, “Our Dad picked these this morning. They’ll
be ripe in a few days. And if you want to speed up the process, put them in a brown
paper bag with an apple or banana.”
I buy a bucket for $6 and get seven mangoes. I leave happy with
the knowledge that I am supporting a local farmer and thrilled that I will be
eating extremely fresh fruit.
Erickson Farm grows many more types of tropical fruit,
spices and vegetables like longan, Florida avocado, papaya, star fruit(carambola), paan, and curry leaves.
They have a seasonal farm store on their property at 13646 U.S. Hwy 441, Canal Point, FL 33438. Call for hours (561) 924-7714
Or go to their website for more information http://www.ericksonfarm.com/
You can also follow them on their FaceBook account.
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