Florida
It’s the start of spring! Here’s what produce is in season at the grocery, Publix stores
![It’s the start of spring! Here’s what produce is in season at the grocery, Publix stores It’s the start of spring! Here’s what produce is in season at the grocery, Publix stores](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2023/10/25/PNAS/71319043007-nas-2-brd-01272021-tennessean-1-c-00320210122-img-getty-images-81053323-1-1-rds-5-rmb-0-l-1581028955-img-getty-images-81053323-1-1-rds-5-rmb-0.jpg?auto=webp&crop=4927,2772,x0,y0&format=pjpg&width=1200)
When do fruits and vegetables go bad? The next time you compile your grocery shopping list, consider these items.
Spring equinox kicks off March 19, the earliest since 1896
March 19 at 11:06 p.m. Eastern time marks the equinox and the start of astronomical spring.
The spring season is officially here, with Floridians already feeling the warmer weather.
Tuesday, March 19, marks the vernal equinox, bringing the first day of spring to the Northern Hemisphere. USA TODAY explained daylight hours will continue to increase, especially after the start of daylight saving time, and will peak with the summer solstice in June.
Along with the new season, several nutritious and delicious produce items are now in season or reaching its peak. From blueberries to watermelon, ’tis the season for splurging on in season fruits and veggies.
What produce is in season in Florida now?
Going off data from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Fresh From Florida website, here’s what to look out for on your next grocery trip:
Produce:
How long is it in season?
Basil
March through November
Bell Pepper
November through May
Blueberries
March through May
Broccoli
December through April
Cabbage
December through May
Cantaloupe
March through July
Carrots
November through June
Cauliflower
Jan through March, they will no longer be in season after this month
Celery
December through May
Cilantro
November through May
Coconuts
Harvested year-round
Collard Greens
December through April
Cucumber
October through June
Eggplant
October through June
Endive
November through April
Escarole
November through April
Grapefruit
October through June
Lettuce
November through April
Mushroom
In season all year
Orange
September through June
Pineberry
December through April
Potato
February through June
Radish
November through May
Snap Beans
October through June
Spinach
November through April
Squash
October through June
Strawberry
December through April
Sweet Corn
November through May
Tangerine
September through April
Tomato
October through June
Watermelon
March through July, October through December
Why is it good to eat foods that are in season?
Some might be wondering what’s the big deal with eating “in season,” and whether you can still eat tomatoes in August or blueberries in January.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services stresses products that are in season are fresher and tastier, noting its nutritional value is optimized. Plus, they add eating seasonally encourages a diverse diet, is often more economical, and harmonizes with nature’s production cycle.
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Florida
Trulieve adds $5M to recreational marijuana campaign in Florida
![Trulieve adds M to recreational marijuana campaign in Florida Trulieve adds M to recreational marijuana campaign in Florida](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox35orlando.com/www.fox35orlando.com/content/uploads/2023/06/1280/720/GettyImages-455527934.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Stream FOX 35 News
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The medical cannabis company Trulieve has contributed another $5 million to a campaign to allow recreational marijuana in Florida, according to a newly filed finance report.
The company made the contribution on July 15 to the Smart & Safe Florida political committee, which is leading efforts to pass a recreational marijuana initiative on the November ballot.
MORE HEADLINES:
According to a state Division of Elections database, Trulieve had contributed about $60.39 million to the committee as of July 19.
The committee raised a total of $66.475 million in cash and nearly $129,000 in in-kind contributions, and it spent $53.963 million.
The initiative, which will appear on the ballot as Amendment 3, says, in part, that it would allow “adults 21 years or older to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for nonmedical personal consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise.”
Voters in 2016 passed a constitutional amendment that allowed medical marijuana.
Florida
A deadly disease is attacking Florida mangroves. UCF researchers think they have a solution
![A deadly disease is attacking Florida mangroves. UCF researchers think they have a solution A deadly disease is attacking Florida mangroves. UCF researchers think they have a solution](https://res.cloudinary.com/graham-media-group/image/upload/f_auto/q_auto/c_thumb,w_700/v1/media/gmg/4HCVO6BMLNFHRJDZK22ZO5OVOY.jpg?_a=DATAdtfiZAA0)
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Florida’s mangroves act as a shield for our coasts against potential storm damage, while also serving as a home for wildlife like various types of fish and other sea creatures.
Researchers at UCF are finding ways to protect this natural barrier from a deadly disease that’s attacking them.
Melissa Deinys, an undergraduate student and researcher at the University of Central Florida, along with Jorge Pereira, a graduate research assistant are the main people behind this project.
The disease that is harming these trees is not named but scientists have been calling it “Mangrove CNP.” It’s caused by fungi pathogens that become deadly when activated.
The researchers are working on a “nutritional cocktail” made up of nanoparticles that would be used to strengthen the tree as well as fight off the pathogens that are causing harm.
It is estimated that there are over 600,000 acres of mangrove forests that help protect Florida’s southern coastal zone and other areas around the state, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
There are three main types of mangroves found in Florida with the most well-known being the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle).
Deinys was in Miami in 2019 when she first identified that Mangrove CNP was causing mangrove trees to start dying.
The Marine Research Council later tested her theory and verified her findings, according to UCF.
Deinys and other groups started testing more mangroves and found that around 80% of the mangroves they sampled had tested positive for one or more of the fungi pathogens that were affecting these trees.
Most of these Fungi are dormant but get activated when the trees are exposed to certain environmental factors such as temperature changes, various insects, and other types of diseases that attack other trees and plants.
The research for this project is taking place over at the Materials Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) center at UCF through UCF Professor Swadeshmukul Santra.
As of right now, there is no cure for Mangrove CNP, but researchers say the special nutritional cocktail is one of the best ways to help combat the disease killing off the trees.
You can listen to every episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate in the media player below:
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Florida
Florida residents can make unlimited visits to Universal Orlando with new ticket deal
![Florida residents can make unlimited visits to Universal Orlando with new ticket deal Florida residents can make unlimited visits to Universal Orlando with new ticket deal](https://res.cloudinary.com/graham-media-group/image/upload/f_auto/q_auto/c_thumb,w_700/v1/media/gmg/SMLS5ZET3ZANNFE6T3BUIN4G4I.jpeg?_a=DATAdtfiZAA0)
ORLANDO, Fla. – A new Universal Orlando ticket deal for Florida residents is giving unlimited visits to both theme parks through the end of the year.
Universal Orlando Resort announced the “Florida Unlimited Days Ticket” that will let guests visit Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios through Dec. 18.
You’ll be able to use the ticket to “enjoy the fan-favorite seasonal events and offerings that are included in park admission, like Universal’s destination-wide Holidays celebration, which kicks off on November 22 and features Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular and more.”
This offer excludes separately ticketed events, like Halloween Horror Nights.
You can buy it for $199, plus tax.
Click here to check it out.
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Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.
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