Florida: Where America Meets the Sun

The state of Florida’s origins actually go back to the earliest days of New world Exploration. Today, it’s perhaps most famous worldwide for it’s hundreds of tourist attractions and for its perennial welcome for retirees and senior citizens.

But there’s a lot more to Florida, the “Sunshine State“, than just visitors and retirement.

America’s First City

The United States’ oldest city, St. Augustine, is located in the state’s northwestern corner, near Jacksonville. It’s over 450 years old, established more than 40 years before the founding of Jamestown, Virginia. Many of the original settlement’s earliest structures remain intact today, preserved by the US government. In particular, the fortress of Castillo de San Marcos remains an imposing monument of history.

The Gateway to the Caribbean

America’s economy was built upon a foundation of naval commerce, as American merchants and traders plied the whole of the Atlantic shipping and importing goods from around the world. The Caribbean Sea represented a vital series of shipping lanes for the young country’s burgeoning economy, and Florida, known for its premium citrus, served as the gateway to its lucrative potential.

Enchanting Cities and Towns

The sprawling metropolis of Miami, once labeled “America’s Casablanca” by Time magazine – is probably the state’s best-known city. But Orlando and Tallahassee are bustling economic centers as well, and smaller towns like Ocala, Sarasota, and Tampa Bay contribute to the state’s reputation for warmth and warm welcomes.

The World’s Best Citrus Fruit Basket

Besides tourism, the citrus fruit industry provides the Sunshine State’s bread and butter. Premium citrus fruit grows abundantly, almost effortlessly, in the plentiful sunshine, temperate rainfall and fresh ocean and breezes.

Citrus fruit baskets, composed of oranges, grapefruits, and tangerines, provide an amazing wealth of vitamins and other important nutrients for good bones, muscles, and teeth. In fact, one of the most nutritious fruits in the world was actually invented in the small Florida town of Minneola. Florida citrus growers first invented the tangelo, also sometimes called the Honeybell orange, in the 1930s.

Modern citrus fruit orchards, typically located in the midsection of the peninsula, can ship gift fruit baskets and gift towers anywhere nationwide.

Taste the Sunshine with Hale Groves

At Hale Groves, we believe the best gifts come from the land, not a factory. For generations, our fruit has been grown slowly under the Florida sun, picked at its peak, and delivered fresh to your door. From sweet Navel Oranges to rare Honeybells, every gift shares the simple joy of real flavor—perfect for holidays, milestones, or everyday moments worth celebrating.

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