LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Although grocery store shelves have been pretty bare lately, many of Florida’s produce farmers are still struggling because many businesses, like restaurants and theme parks, remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
At Long and Scott Farms in Lake County, Hank Scott is in the midst of harvest time for his cucumbers. “We need a good year, just like everyone does,” he said. “We need a good year to survive.” [UPDATED LIST: How to buy straight from Florida’s farmers hurt by coronavirus pandemic] Scott said the pandemic has interrupted his routine sales with wholesalers, where their food ends up in food services. “Now you got plenty of product, are you able to move it or are you stuck with it?