VERSATILITY | GROWER SPOTLIGHT | 11
Grower Spotlight
Owner Ronnie Young and Family
I
n 1986 Ronnie Young and partner Marvin Brown purchased an 85-acre farm in Dover, Florida and began an operation of raising, selling and shipping their own strawberries. Four years later, in 1990, they purchased a cooling facility and BBI Produce Inc. was born. Since then, they have added more than 600 acres of additional growing land.
Because BBI only handles their own fruit, they can more effectively monitor quality and consistency from farm to farm as well as the efficient implementation of new, environmentally friendly focused programs across all growing locations.
Ronnie began farming in the 1970’s with his father and brother. He has served on many boards and belonged to numerous associations related to farming, including serving as the President of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association. Ronnie has won numerous awards for innovation and production, including the Florida Farm Bureau’s C.A.R.E.S. award which is given to farms that provide outstanding protection and management of sensitive environments and who maximize the conservation and protection of natural resources. In 2001 Ronnie’s son Adam was brought into farming. He is now the manager of BBI’s newest farm, Strawberry Ranch. Sadly, Marvin passed away in late 2019. His wife and daughter are still very active in day-to-day operations of BBI as well as running their own farms.
Lisa, Marvin, and Linda Brown The Anthony Marano Company has been working with Berry Boss since 2008 and we are very proud to have them as partners.
To order Berry Boss Strawberries, contact the Berry Department, send an email to berry@amarano.com or call 773.321.7540.
