Citrus Postharvest Day at UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center

FORT PIERCE, Fla.—Florida’s fresh citrus industry members will join together for Citrus Packinghouse Day on Thursday August 24 to hear of promising research updates, updates in various shipping requirements, and Ag. labor related to fresh fruit handling and transport. The free event will include exhibitors and networking opportunities.

Citrus Packinghouse Day will occur at the University of Florida/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center Ben Hill Griffin Hall in Lake Alfred, Florida. On-site registration opens at 8 a.m. The program runs from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

JBT FoodTech is sponsoring coffee and donuts. Lunch is sponsored by DECCO, Inc., for the first 75 participants to register. JBT FoodTech is a global machinery corporation; DECCO Inc. supplies postharvest products to international food producers.

A highlight for Packinghouse Day 2023 will be the John T. Leslie Award of Excellence presentation. The Leslie award was first presented in 1981 to John T. Leslie for “recognition of an individual for outstanding leadership and service on behalf of the Florida fresh citrus industry.”

Dr. Mark Ritenour leads the event

Coordinating the event is Professor of Horticulture Science and postharvest expert Mark Ritenour, who leads postharvest technology research at the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center in Fort Pierce. Ritenour’s research and extension program includes a model packinghouse Postharvest Facility operation.

“Packinghouse Day 2023 will feature presentations on promising technologies such as citrus grown under protective screens and oxytetracycline injection for HLB management,” said Ritenour.

Ritenour added that participants will receive the following updates:

• The latest phytosanitary and regulatory issues
• Global changes in packing regulations
• Current status of cold hardy citrus in North Florida after the Christmas 2022 freeze
• Pre- and postharvest fruit decay control methods
• Pesticide maximum residue limits
• And agriculture labor

Ritenour will open the event, along with Peter Chaires, executive vice president of Florida Citrus Packers, who will also serve as moderator.

Sign up link

Attendees are encouraged to enroll for the event by the online link; attendees may also register at the door on the day of the event. For more information, contact Ritenour at: ritenour@ufl.edu or 772-577-7359.