Florida
It’s the start of spring! Here’s what produce is in season at the grocery, Publix stores
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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Brevard County couple gets married in NICU after birth of premature twins
A Florida couple, told they may not be able to have children, welcomed premature twins and had an impromptu NICU wedding.
Provided by AdventHealth for Children
Ben and Danielle Cassidy were told they likely wouldn’t be able to have children.
But this year they will celebrate Mother’s Day just months after having an impromptu wedding in the AdventHealth for Children hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit shortly after Danielle gave birth to twins prematurely — a week before the Palm Bay couple was scheduled to get married.
Both babies, Joshua and Rhett, are doing well despite arriving nine weeks ahead of schedule on Jan. 19, 2026, just one day after their scheduled baby shower. With a proper wedding out of the question with two premature babies in the NICU, a nurse took action.
Issabel Kenkel, the nurse behind the ceremony, said she was already in wedding planning mode for her own upcoming nuptials when she found out the Cassidy family’s ceremony would be interrupted.
“I couldn’t just let them do something small. They needed decorations and something fun, so I spoke to the music therapist and the chaplain,” Kenkel said. In short order, a wedding was being planned for their hospital room and the couple was saying their vows in the company of their safely delivered newborns.
“When we found out we could request staff members to be on our team, that’s when we requested Issabel and having that kind of consistency from someone who has such a big heart and is so kind,” Danielle said.
The hospital ceremony was all the more special because of the Cassidy family’s own health struggles.
“I have five autoimmune diseases and didn’t really think I would have kids. It’s been a rough journey. When Ben and I met, we were floored at how much a miracle it was to have kids,” Danielle said.
Ben, who battled and beat cancer, said he was worried that his prior treatment would result in negative health outcomes for his future children. Having twins for him was an unexpected blessing.
“When we found out we were pregnant, we found it so shocking. We said, wouldn’t it be great if it was twins? It filled out our hopes and dreams list,” Ben said. “They’ve been miracles for sure.”
The Cassidy couple said there was so much fear and uncertainty when their twins were born nine weeks early. Being able to get married right away just made them feel all the better about the future.
“It was nice getting married because we didn’t have to wait any longer to make it official. It made it that much harder for her to get rid of me,” Ben said.
“The unknown made it scary,” Danielle added. “We had no idea how long we would be in the hospital. Our wedding was going to be at the beach with immediate family and parents. Having NICU babies, we realized we’d never be able to get to the beach. It was really special having the people who care for our babies be part of the ceremony.”
The couple hadn’t even planned to have a band at their wedding ceremony and now the hospital’s music therapist was performing live for them and the chaplain was conducting the ceremony, something nurse Kenkel said was just part of her job.
“The babies are going to have the best outcomes if the families are taken care of and going home happy,” she said. “Being in the NICU is already so stressful. This is just one more thing I could do to take care of my patients.”
Tyler Vazquez is the Growth and Development Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Vazquez at 321-480-0854 or tvazquez@floridatoday.com. X: @tyler_vazquez.
The Vero Beach Police Department took a man into custody May 8 in connection with a threatening phone call directed toward a business.
The agency received information at 5:21 p.m. May 7 about a threatening call to Thrive IRC Inc. at 2300 5th Ave. in Vero Beach, according to a news release. The call included someone threatening to come to the business with an AK rifle and “light the building up.”
Detectives began investigating the threat and identified Michael Sean O’Brien, 27, of Vero Beach, as the person associated with the phone number used during the call.
O’Brien was taken into custody at about 3:30 p.m. May 8 without incident. He was charged with the false report concerning the use of firearms in a violent manner, which is a second degree felony, according to the news release.
O’Brien was booked in the Indian River County Jail at 6:13 p.m. May 8 but was released at 1:36 p.m. May 9 after posting the $5,000 bond, according to the jail website.
No additional information was available the afternoon of May 9.
Olivia Franklin is TCPalm’s trending reporter. You can contact her at olivia.franklin@tcpalm.com, 317-627-8048 or follow her on X @Livvvvv_5.
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