Uncle Matt’s Expands Citrus Groves and Family of Growers

Clermont, FL (July 8, 2008) Matt McLean, Founder and CEO of Uncle Matt’s Fresh, the organic produce “arm” of Uncle Matt’s Organic, announced today that the number of organic citrus growers and the amount of acreage dedicated to organic citrus that their company manages, is rising at a steady and healthy pace. According to Matt, “We currently manage over 1,000 acres of citrus groves that include 15 different family-owned farms. This number is expanding everyday as we help conventional groves transition to organic.”

As a vertically integrated grower, manager and marketer of organic citrus, Uncle Matt’s Fresh provides management of these small family growers by putting together a farm plan, executing the plan to increase nutrient density, developing bio diversity, providing soil conservation and/or restoration plus selling the fruit for the benefit of the families who own the groves. Adds Matt, “Our ‘coop’ of growers have anywhere from 5-15 acre groves and we own 550 acres ourselves. Just this spring, we had an additional 100 acres of Valencia oranges transition to organic.” The process of going from conventional to organic takes 3 years to complete.

“We are currently growing organic oranges, tangerines and grapefruit for our own juice brand, Uncle Matt’s Organic, along with providing organic citrus produce for Uncle Matt’s Fresh,” says Matt. Of the 1,000 acres that Uncle Matt’s Fresh manages, about 1/3 of the yield goes to juice production and the remainder goes to produce sales. It is estimated that about 8% of all citrus produce in Florida is organic, a number that Matt would like to see significantly grow over the next few years.

Uncle Matt’s Fresh not only includes CEO Matt McLean, a 4^th generation citrus farmer and current Vice President of the Organic Trade Association, but also his brother Ben, his brother-in-law, Alex, and his father Benny. “It’s a family affair all the way down the line,” offers Matt. “My mother and wife also contribute to the business. We love organic citrus!”

Uncle Matt’s Organic, Inc. offers premium quality organic juices, fresh fruit and organic citrus gift baskets. Their produce and juice products have no synthetic additives or preservatives. To further assure high quality standards, the juice is certified Kosher and Pareve by Florida Kosher Services. Uncle Matt’s Organic products are produced under the strict regulation and guidelines of Quality Certification Services, the largest and most respected organic organization in Florida. Products are available in health food stores and groceries. The company is an active member of OTA and supports the Organic Farming Research Foundation.

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