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Agriculture program connecting SWFL growers with customers
by Geoff Harris
8:50 PM EST, Wed November 30, 2022
NAPLES, Fla. — A new agriculture initiative aims to connect growers with customers. Called SWFL Fresh, the program was put together right after Hurricane Irma in 2017, but the official launch date was put on hold because of the pandemic.
So now, as we approach 2023, the program organizers are making a push to get more information about the program out there to the public.
"So people are looking for local food, they want to know where their food is coming from, and this is just a way to kind of connect folks with their local farmers and figure out where they can buy local food," said Jessica Ryals, an Agriculture and Sustainable Foods Systems Agent for the University of Florida and IFAS Extension in Collier County.
Along with UF/IFAS, Blue Zones Project and the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council have been heavily involved in creating this program.
"I think folks are excited to get a resource that shows them where the go-to locations in Southwest Florida (are), and I'm really hoping that this brand will help do that," said Asmaa Odeh, a Project Director for the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council.
Right now, anyone can access the SWFL Fresh program online. On the site, you'll be able to search which farms are involved in the program and where you can buy their produce.
"You would go on the website, and on the website, there's a link that says producers, and so you would click on that link, and it will basically show all of the farms that have been registered in the Southwest Florida region," Ryals said.
One of the farms involved in the program is Inyoni Farm in Naples. A 20-acre organic farm that grows dozens of different fruits and vegetables.
"Well, you know, SWFL Fresh is just kind of, you know, going along with a lot of what I represent. Connecting the local community with the farms in the area," said Nick Batty, Owner of Inyoni Farm.
Born and raised in a farming family, Batty said joining the program was really a no-brainer.
"There is a good community of people that are very passionate about supporting the local farms, and we've been lucky to be a part of that," he said.
So a few times a week, Batty is set up at local farmers' markets, selling a variety of different items.
"It's good to know you're kind of helping to feed people," Batty said.
For more information on the SWFL Fresh program, click here.
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