{"id":7572,"date":"2025-12-16T14:23:36","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T19:23:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.floridacitrus.org\/grower\/?post_type=fdoc-news-item&p=7572"},"modified":"2025-12-30T14:13:49","modified_gmt":"2025-12-30T19:13:49","slug":"chairman-johnson-raising-a-glass-in-gratitude-for-florida-citrus","status":"publish","type":"fdoc-news-item","link":"https:\/\/www.floridacitrus.org\/grower\/fdoc-news-item\/chairman-johnson-raising-a-glass-in-gratitude-for-florida-citrus\/","title":{"rendered":"Chairman Johnson: Raising a Glass in Gratitude for Florida Citrus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Raise a glass in toast to Florida Citrus with these Florida Orange Juice mocktails.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During the holiday season and especially as the end of the year approaches, people tend to reflect on years past. As an industry, one could argue that we have more reasons than ever before to count our blessings. Talk to any citrus grower, and they\u2019ll tell you about all the obstacles that we\u2019ve overcome, all the challenges that remain before us, and all the blessings that continue to multiply for the benefit of Florida Citrus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no secret that citrus greening has reduced our supply in the last 20 years. As we\u2019ve worked tirelessly towards sustainable treatments and developing disease-tolerant varieties, we\u2019ve also had to work equally as hard to keep Florida Citrus in the minds of consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The strategy for this is multi-pronged and involves a collaborative effort with everyone \u2014 from the FCC along with all our FDOC staff, to our processors as well as industry partners and extending all the way to our growers. Part of that strategy involves maintaining a strong presence on the shelves during times of lower yields, and that\u2019s been done in part by importing 100% orange juice from other regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another strategy that seems to help preserve some of the shelf space is by creating blend options, where 100% orange juice is combined with other fruit juices. Dr. Marisa Zansler, FDOC director of economic and market research, shared recently on this very topic. \u201cDuring the 2024-25 season, volume share for OJ blends and drinks in the broader OJ beverage category rose from 38.8% to 40.6%. But these are stopgaps, not replacements, for 100% OJ,\u201d Dr. Zansler said. \u201cDespite this shift, 100% OJ drove over 70% of the category\u2019s revenue share during the same period.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This data shows us that Florida\u2019s future is 100% orange juice, especially since the returns to growers remain highest in this cornerstone segment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet another important prong of the strategy for keeping Florida Citrus in the minds of consumers is through partnerships like the one we launched earlier this fall between Florida Orange Juice and the Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a>. Besides our activities during each home game, which will be seen by millions of consumers at the games and watching from home, we\u2019ll also be offering vibrant (and delicious) mocktails to arena fans for two 6-week periods in December through January and February through March. In case you\u2019re looking for a delicious beverage idea to enjoy with the family at home this holiday season, I\u2019m sharing them below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Florida Orange Juice mocktails to be offered at Tampa Bay Lightning games:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FLORIDA CITRUS PUNCH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3oz Florida Orange Juice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1oz Pineapple Juice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2oz Florida Grapefruit Juice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Club Soda to finish<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Florida Grapefruit wedge to garnish<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FLORIDA ORANGE MOJITO<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3-4 fresh mint leaves<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3\/4oz simple syrup<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3oz Florida Orange Juice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Club Soda to finish<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Florida Orange wedge and mint sprig to garnish<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steve Johnson is Chairman of the Florida Citrus Commission, which oversees the Florida Department of Citrus. He is the owner and general manager of Johnson Harvesting, Inc., based in Wauchula, FL.<\/em> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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