Oranges are the state fruit and beverage and over 50 million pounds are harvested in Hillsborough County
Harvest: Oranges
Learn all about the oranges grown in Hillsborough County.
When are fresh Hillsborough County oranges available at local groceries and farm stands?
October through May
What varieties of oranges are grown commercially here?
Valencia, Navel, and various types of tangerines, all in many varieties
Where are oranges most commonly grown in Hillsborough County?
South and East County. There also are groves in the Lutz/Odessa area.
How many acres are planted with oranges?
Citrus, including grapefruit, are grown on 5,585 acres in Hillsborough County
How many pounds of oranges are harvested?
About 54 million pounds of oranges were harvested in the 2016-'17 growing season.
Fun fact
The great majority of the United States' orange juice is made from Florida-grown oranges. The orange is Florida's official state fruit; orange juice is the state beverage; the orange blossom is the state flower.
Local insight
Florida-grown citrus, both fresh fruit and juice, is labeled as such. So, look for Florida-grown and Florida not-from-concentrate labeling. Dooley Groves is the last grower, packer, processor in Hillsborough County.
Homegrown Hillsborough is also the name of the food system program coordinated by our Extension Services department.
Homegrown Hillsborough is a network of community members with the mission to grow a strong food system. The vision is to create an integrated food system that is diverse, reliable, and creates opportunity for active participation.
Homegrown Hillsborough will act as an educational and community development initiative with a focus on community nutrition, food entrepreneurship, and agricultural production that will strengthen the relationship that Hillsborough County residents have with their food.