Historic Florida citrus stand Hollieanna Groves not opening this year, citing industry issues
Citrus shipping business will continue operating Hollieanna Groves in Maitland. MAITLAND, Fla. – A Florida holiday tradition will not return to Maitland this…
Citrus shipping business will continue operating
MAITLAND, Fla. – A Florida holiday tradition will not return to Maitland this year, after 70 years in business.
On Wednesday, Hollieanna Groves announced it would not open its citrus stand after all.
he Lingle family posted an official announcement on its Facebook page Thursday.
“The many challenges the citrus industry brings, coupled with economic hurdles, our ages and the desire to spend more time with family has brought us to this milestone,” the announcement said.
The Lingle family purchased Hollianna Groves and its citrus stand on 17-92 in Maitland in 1954. Since then, the family has operated a mail-order citrus business, sending oranges, grapefruits and tangerine baskets and gift boxes around the country, along with the citrus stand from November to around April, depending on the season.
But the years have not been kind to the citrus industry in Florida, and neither have the hurricanes.
A citrus season forecast released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in October showed a 16.8% decrease in the production of oranges, grapefruit and specialty fruits for the 2023-2024 season. Production was also projected to be below the 2022-2023 output, which was the lowest in 90 years.
The Lingles — sister Alinda and brothers Kurt and Jason — used to have several groves themselves. Freezes in the 1980s took out the family grove in Sanford, and citrus canker and citrus greening reduced productivity at their Fort Pierce grove.
