By Terri Lynn, SouthFloridaReporter.com, Managing Editor, Oct. 8, 2015 – It should come as no surprise that America loves orange juice and we drink close to a billion gallons every year. More people purchase orange juice than any other 100 percent fruit juice on the market.
But do Americans know where their orange juice comes from?
Florida supplies more than half of the orange juice Americans drink each year. But not every carton of OJ has roots in U.S. soil. Florida’s unique, sandy soil and subtropical climate enable growers to produce the world’s best-tasting and juiciest oranges. In fact, about 90 percent of Florida’s oranges are squeezed for juice and Florida is second only to Brazil in production of oranges.
It’s not always easy to decipher origin labels on food. To help distinguish between orange juice hailing from Florida and the rest of the world, the Florida Department of Citrus launched a new program this fall to spotlight 100% Florida Orange Juice.
FindFloridaOJ.com provides a solution for those with a desire to know more about where their orange juice comes from. Designed for use on mobile or desktop, the website allows users to snap a photograph of the UPC code on any bottle of orange juice and instantly learn whether it hails from Florida.
As part of the program, consumers who purchase 100% Florida Orange Juice can receive $1 coupon offers in select stores and markets for a limited time.
“As more Americans desire to know the origins of their food, it’s only natural for us to connect 100% Florida Orange Juice with those who value our homegrown roots,” said Shannon Shepp, interim executive director of the FDOC.
Well over half of all U.S. homes already include orange juice in the choices they make, and an 8-ounce glass of 100% orange juice delivers essential vitamins and nutrients to support good health – and does so with no added sugar. In addition, a single serving of 100% orange juice counts as almost one quarter of the USDA-recommended daily fruit and vegetable intake, based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
For more information on 100% Florida Orange Juice, go to HERE.
About the Florida Department of Citrus
The Florida Department of Citrus is an executive agency of Florida government charged with the marketing, research and regulation of the Florida citrus industry. Its activities are funded by a tax paid by growers on each box of citrus that moves through commercial channels. The industry employs nearly 62,000 people, provides an annual economic impact of nearly $10.7 billion to the state, and contributes hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues that help support Florida’s schools, roads and health care services. For more information about the Florida Department of Citrus, please visit FloridaCitrus.org.
SOURCE Florida Department of Citrus
