Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month
Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month is a lively celebration that highlights Florida's delicious winter strawberries. The event is all about enjoying these sweet, juicy fruits at their peak.
Drive February foot traffic and sales by positioning fresh Florida strawberries as peak-season, locally-sourced, and perfect for family farm experiences and culinary content.
- Pick-your-own farm day content: family-friendly agritourism experiences in Plant City
- Strawberry recipe inspiration: shortcakes, smoothies, and jam-making tutorials tied to fresh seasonal produce
- Festival promotions: highlight local strawberry festivals with games, food, and live entertainment
- Health angle: strawberries as vitamin-rich superfoods for wellness-focused audiences
Campaign ideas8
- Run a grower highlight series featuring short videos of 'faces behind the berries' on TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube—emphasize family farms, generational farming, and agricultural innovation; partner with farm influencers to amplify reach.
- Launch a February Valentine's Day tie-in campaign: chocolate-dipped strawberry kits, cocktail recipes, dessert bundles, and romantic date-night bundles; create limited-edition packaging in red/pink; promote heavily on Pinterest and email.
- Host a #FabFLStrawberry user-generated content contest on Instagram/TikTok—ask consumers to share recipes, photos, and videos with Florida strawberries; offer prizes (gift baskets, local produce vouchers, brand merch); feature top submissions on brand channels.
- Create a 'Pick-A-Berry' subscription box or CSA partnership for local delivery during peak season; offer organic + conventional options, specialty varieties (pineberries), and pairing suggestions; use email nurture campaigns to drive signups in November.
- Partner with specialty retailers, farmers markets, and farm-to-table restaurants to cross-promote; offer sampling events and on-site demonstrations; create co-branded window displays highlighting the 'Plant City' origin story.
- Develop a Christmas/holiday campaign (Nov-Dec): gift guide featuring strawberry products (jams, shortcake mixes, chocolate-covered berries); run retargeting ads on Facebook/Instagram to holiday shoppers; create in-store point-of-sale displays.
- Launch a sustainability/local story angle: 'Winter Warmth from Florida Soil' campaign highlighting that Florida strawberries are the only domestic source in winter, reduce food miles vs. imports, and support local jobs; feature on sustainability-focused platforms.
- Run a carousel ad series on TikTok Shop, Instagram Shopping, and Pinterest Ads showcasing recipe ideas (smoothies, desserts, preserves); each ad links directly to product listings at major retailers; use seasonal hashtags #FabFLStrawberryMonth #FreshFromFlorida.
Social angles6
- 'Three months of pure Florida sweetness' — snap a photo of your fresh Florida strawberries and tag us. We'll feature your recipe or moment! #FabFLStrawberryMonth #FreshFromFlorida #FLStrawberries
- From our soil to your table: Florida strawberries are the ONLY domestic source during winter months. The difference is real. Taste the difference. #SupportLocal #WinterFresh #FabFLStrawberries
- Valentine's mood ✨ Dip them in chocolate, pair with prosecco, toss them in shortcake. Florida strawberries do LOVE like no other. #ValentinesDayRecipe #FabFLStrawberries #FreshFromFlorida
- Meet the growers! Family farms. Generations of knowledge. One perfect berry. 🌱 Tap to see where your strawberries come from. #FarmToTable #MeetTheGrowers #FLStrawberries #SupportLocal
- Strawberry season IS here 🍓 Available now at your favorite retailers. Look for the Fresh From Florida logo on packaging. Winter just got a lot sweeter! #FabFLStrawberryMonth #ShopLocal #ProducePower
- Homemade jam, fresh shortcake, morning smoothie—Florida strawberries are the star of every recipe. What's your favorite way to enjoy them? #RecipeInspo #FarmFresh #StrawberrySeason #FabFLStrawberries
Ad copy starters5
“Winter's Sweetest Harvest—Only in Florida. Fresh, juicy, and picked just hours before you bring them home. Shop Florida strawberries now.”
“From Plant City to Your Table. Real farms. Real families. Real flavor. Discover why Florida strawberries are unmatched December–March.”
“Chocolate-Dipped Love. Strawberry Shortcake Dreams. Winter Romance. Florida strawberries—the only domestic fresh berry in season. Find them now.”
“Skip the imports, celebrate local. Florida's winter strawberry season is here with berries so fresh, they arrive to your store the same day they're picked.”
“Garden-grown in the Sunshine State. Tried everything? Try Florida. Our strawberries taste like sunshine tastes.”
Tips4
- DO leverage 'Winter Domestic' as a unique angle—Florida is the ONLY U.S. source Dec-Mar. This freshness/local story beats imports. Emphasize farm-to-table speed (picked morning, distributed same day).
- DON'T ignore Valentine's Day (mid-Feb peak)—strawberries are iconic for romance; create tie-in bundles with chocolate, champagne, dessert kits; it's a proven traffic driver.
- DO build in educational content around lesser-known varieties (pineberries, heirloom types) to drive trial and excitement; feature them as limited-edition/premium upgrades to tap adventurous shoppers.
- DON'T skimp on grower/family story angles—consumers respond to 'people behind the product'; short-form video (30-60 sec) on TikTok/Reels showing real farm families outperforms generic product shots.
Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month started to bring attention to the peak strawberry season in Florida. The Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA) initiated this celebration.
Their goal was to highlight the unique advantage Florida has in producing sweet, ripe strawberries during the winter months when other regions cannot.
The idea took root in Plant City, known as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. Henry B. Plant, a key figure in the area’s development, helped establish the market for strawberries by constructing a rail line to Tampa. This move boosted the local strawberry industry significantly.
February was chosen for this celebration because it marks the height of the strawberry harvest. Thanks to Florida’s mild winter climate, strawberries are at their best during this month. In addition, this is the season when the Florida Strawberry Festival takes place — and has been for almost a century!
This month-long event honors the hard work of local farmers and the ideal growing conditions in Florida. The state’s mild winter creates perfect conditions for producing high-quality strawberries, renowned for their flavor and sweetness. During this time, people are encouraged to enjoy strawberries in various forms, from fresh snacks to delicious desserts.
The FSGA and local farmers wanted to promote this period to ensure people enjoy the freshest and sweetest strawberries while also supporting local agriculture.
Pick-Your-Own Adventure
Take a trip to a local strawberry farm. Spend a fun-filled day picking the ripest berries straight from the vine. Delight in the fresh air and the excitement of finding the juiciest strawberries. A perfect activity for families and friends looking to connect with nature and enjoy a sweet treat at the same time.
Culinary Creations
Experiment in the kitchen with strawberry-based recipes. Whip up a strawberry shortcake, blend a fresh strawberry smoothie, or even try your hand at making strawberry jam. The possibilities are endless and delicious. Let the vibrant red berries inspire your culinary creativity and fill your home with the sweet aroma of strawberries.
Strawberry Festival Fun
Attend a local strawberry festival. These events are packed with games, contests, and endless strawberry treats. Enjoy strawberry shortcakes, milkshakes, pies, and more. Live music and rides add to the festive atmosphere. Perfect for a day of fun and indulgence with friends and family.
Strawberry Art
Get crafty with strawberries! Create strawberry-themed artwork or decorations. Use strawberries as stamps to make fun patterns, or paint them for a unique piece of art. This activity is especially fun for kids and brings a fruity touch to your home decor.
Berry Good Health
Incorporate strawberries into your daily diet for a healthy boost. Add them to your morning cereal, or salads, or eat them as a snack. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, strawberries are a delicious way to stay healthy and enjoy the flavors of the season. This celebration aligns perfectly with Valentine’s Day, making it a great time to enjoy strawberries dipped in chocolate or other delightful treats!