P.O. Box 948153
Maitland, FL 32794
www.ffva.com

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ray Gilmer or Barbara Wunder 321-214-5200

FLORIDA FRUIT & VEGETABLE RESEARCH & EDUCATION FOUNDATION DONATES $50,000 TO FARMWORKER HOUSING PROJECT

Maitland, Fla. (June 13) - Florida Fruit & Vegetable Research & Education Foundation today presented $50,000 to Catholic Charities Housing of the Diocese of Venice to help build new farmworker housing in the Arcadia area. The check, presented by FFVA Chairman Tony DiMare at the diocese offices, represents donations made by growers, suppliers and other industry members following the hurricanes of 2004.

"It's vitally important to support construction of housing that will stand up to hurricanes," said DiMare. "This is an investment in the safety of our workers and their families."

Catholic Charities Housing plans to build farmworker housing units on approximately 66 acres in DeSoto County. The Foundation commitment of $50,000 has helped Catholic Charities Housing secure substantial grants from state and federal sources to underwrite the first phase of construction. The project, called Casa San Juan Bosco, will include healthcare and daycare services, as well as transportation for access to nearby retail shops.

"This donation demonstrates how something positive can come out of the devastation brought by last year's hurricanes," said Peter Routsis-Arroyo, president of Catholic Charities Housing. "We are very grateful to FFVA and its Foundation for their support and encouragement as we work to provide much-needed farmworker housing in Southwest Florida."

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Research & Education Foundation collected donations during the Hurricane Farmworker Relief campaign in the fall of 2004 following hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne. Much of the money was raised during the benefit auction held at FFVA's 61st Annual Convention. The Foundation and Citrus & Vegetable Magazine sponsored the auction.

"The Foundation recognizes the needs of farmworkers, and saw those needs increase dramatically after the hurricanes hit the state last summer," said Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association President Mike Stuart. "After the first hurricane, we made the decision to help these vital members of the Florida agriculture family."

In previous years, the Foundation has raised money for other beneficiaries, including the Redlands Christian Migrant Association, an organization that provides care and educational opportunities for farmworkers' children; and the Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources, a program that helps outstanding young Florida agriculture professionals make the most of their leadership potential.

Florida Fruit & Vegetable Research & Education Foundation was established in 1991 to address specialty crop growers' scientific and knowledge needs in the production,
marketing, transportation and consumption of fruits and vegetables. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, the Foundation operates to the benefit the entire Florida specialty crops industry and the society as a whole. Specialty crop producers provide oversight to the Foundation.

Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association is an agricultural trade organization representing Florida's producers of fruits, vegetables and other crops.

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