Sustainable Florida Standards Pledge

Taking the Sustainable Florida Standards Pledge demonstrates Orchid Island Juice Company’s ongoing effort to assess our effectiveness, efficiency, impact on the environment and how our practices improve the quality of life in the communities where we conduct business.

 

 

Sustainable Florida Standards

1. Values/Mission:  To establish ourselves globally as a symbol of authentic food and to enhance the lives of those with whom we come into contact, not just through our quality citrus juice, but as a beacon of corporate social responsibility. 

2. Be Involved – Make a commitment to citizen involvement, collaborative approaches, and community partnerships.

3. Promote Stewardship – Be a leader on environmental quality and resource conservation.

4. Meet People’s Needs – Promote opportunity, equity, and improved quality of life.

5. Manage for Sustainability – Adopt best management practices, systems and new technologies.

6. Generate a Fair Return – Sustain our program through productivity and efficiency.

Orchid Island Juice Company in Belgium!

Orchid Island Juice Company is expanding our international customer base by introducing Fresh Squeezed citrus juices from Florida to some of the finest hotels and restaurants in Belgium. Our goal is to serve even more Belgians, and many of their European neighbors, the world’s “BEST TASTING” juice at the Horecatel Expo — a hotel and catering industry food show this spring.

With 39,000 visitors to the show, Orchid Island Juice Company is hopeful that our efforts will help provide more jobs both at home and abroad. In addition to Belgium, Orchid Island Juice Company products are available in France, Japan, the Caribbean and Canada. For more information about the Horecatel Expo, click here.

Congressman Tom Rooney at Orchid Island Juice Company

Tom Rooney, US Representative of Florida’s 16th Congressional District, is pictured with Orchid Island Juice Company CEO, Marygrace Sexton. Congressman Rooney paid a visit to the family owned and operated juice facility to gauge the impact of the recent sub-freezing temperatures on local citrus producers. Of course, the Congressman also discussed the tragic situation in Haiti and how the disaster has affected local workers. We appreciate genuine concern by elected officials for businesses in small communities across America . We need more concerned politicians to help keep Americans working and Florida farmers farming. Congressman Rooney: You are welcome anytime!

Cold Weather Effects Florida Citrus!

Extreme cold weather conditions during the first weeks of January have taken its toll on Florida’s citrus industry. Sustained record nighttime lows of 22° – 28° Fahrenheit in the coastal and central growing areas may have lasting ramifications on the 2010 crop.  

Cool weather sweetens the fruit and turns the color of the skin from green to orange. However, when the temperatures drop to 28° F for 4 or more hours, the growers rush to flood the fields with water in an attempt to insulate the tree roots.

Over the past week, growers have been working around the clock to salvage this year’s harvest. Tools such as the University of Florida’s Weather Network provide a valuable resource for growers to monitor climatic variables.

Orchid Island Juice Company produces Award Winning GOURMET PASTEURIZED  citrus juice and FRESH SQUEEZED citrus juice. FRESH SQUEEZED Juice undergoes no processing, such as pasteurization, and cannot be stored. FRESH SQUEEZED Juice is more vulnerable to environmental fluctuations. 

Orchid Island Juice Company has been making FRESH SQUEEZED citrus juice for 20 years and was named the HACCP safe food program pilot plant by the FDA.

For more information on sub-freezing temps in Florida, click here.

Orchid Island Juice Company in the COLD!

Orchid Island Juice Company Executive Vice President John Martinelli was recently featured in a local news report about the frigid Florida temperature’s effect on the citrus crop. Learn how our family of 5th generation citrus growers deals with frosty weather.

Orchid Island Juice Company in Florida Agriculture News!

Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company is the subject of November’s cover story in FloridAgriculture magazine! The publication is produced by Florida Farm Bureau to celebrate people, families and companies that support the past, present and future of local agriculture. Editor Ed Albanesi wrote a beautiful piece about Orchid Island Juice’s 20th Anniversary celebration, the family business’ model and the faith-based philosophy that has been the mainstay of the company’s growth. Check out the online version of the magazine by clicking on the following link and turning to page 5:  FloridAgriculture Magazine

From Our Family Farms Fresh to You!

For 20 years, our family owned and operated company has been making Fresh Squeezed juice from fruit grown right here in Florida. Our company is an integral part of the community fabric. We support Florida farmers… Florida families.   

Meet Grady Welchel of Premier Citrus Packers (L), a long time resident who, with his wife, is raising three daughters in the Indian River Growing District. Mike Simpson (R), Company Representative for Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company, was born and raised in the area.

Life in the groves takes a special breed of person, one who relishes the wide open sky and persistent Florida sunshine. The work of a citrus grower requires long hours and, like most things in life that are ultimately satisfying, there are challenges and disappointments along the way.

However, when the elements work together in perfect harmony, the quality of the fruit is simply delicious! That’s when we know it’s good enough for Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company!

Orchid Island Juice in the News for Fresh Frozen!

The benefits of Natalie’s Orchid Island 100% FRESH FROZEN Juice are discussed in the November issue of Frozen & Dairy Buyer, a brand new trade magazine targeting retail grocery store and food service buyers. Our FRESH FROZEN Orange and Grapefruit Juices are available in litre and 1/4 litre bottles in select markets throughout the United States and in international markets. We make the juice exactly like we make our FRESH SQUEEZED and GOURMET PASTEURIZED juices — with only the best fruit, no additives, nothing artificial; just the juice from the fruit — and then we flash freeze it. Our 100% FRESH FROZEN is a raw food with all of the nutrients and amazing flavor of Florida grown citrus… ready to drink when you are! Read the article here: Frozen & Dairy Buyer.

Best Place to Work in 2009!

Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company has been awarded the designation of 2009 Best Place to Work. A national program, Best Places to Work challenges businesses of all sizes to raise the standards of excellence in human resources.  Read the rest of this entry »

Orchid Island Juice International Expansion

Fresh Plaza, a global produce news source, is spreading the word about Orchid Island Juice Company’s international expansion. After a warm and wonderful reception in Cologne, Germany at the Anuga Food Show — during which Orchid Island Juice Company reps were photographed with American Ambassador Phillip Murphy — the company is looking to expand to other foreign markets. Imagine … Fresh Squeezed Citrus Juice AROUND THE GLOBE! Check us out at Fresh Plaza.

Orchid Island Juice Company 20th Anniversary Celebration!

Marygrace Sexton, CEO of Orchid Island Juice Company, presents a plaque to Mayor Robert Benton in appreciation for the support, dedication and professionalism of the City of Ft. Pierce. Read the rest of this entry »

A Big Thank You!

Thank you to our customers, fans, friends, supporters, employees, vendors and everyone else that has been there for Orchid Island Juice Company over the past 20 years! You are the heartbeat of OIJC!