Farmers producing seasonal crops can’t seek the same protections from unfair practices as those selling produce year-round. But U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, said Congress can level the playing field. 

He filed legislation in the House to protect Florida growers and allow them to file grievances against Mexico’s trade practices.

“Illegal seasonal dumping and unfair Mexican trade practices are crippling Florida’s fruit and vegetable growers,” Buchanan said. “It’s time to level the playing field and protect hardworking Florida farmers and our vital produce industry.”

He filed bipartisan legislation in the House with U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Kissimmee. Meanwhile, Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, both Republicans, will carry a companion bill in the Senate.

Notably, Buchanan serves on the House Ways and Means Committee. While he recently lost a race for chair, he remains the most senior member on the panel that oversees trade policy for the U.S.

If the Defending Domestic Produce Production Act becomes law, it will allow seasonal fruit and vegetable growers to petition the federal government and get relief from unabated foreign imports through the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission.

“As Florida growers face significant economic losses, it is crucial for us to stand with them and work to find solutions,” Soto said. “I’m proud to work with Congressman Buchanan on this legislation to help our farmers get relief.”

Buchanan notably served as a House liaison to the Trump administration during negotiations of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement. He praised the deal at the time but also promised to pursue further protection for specialty crop growers. 

Since 2000, there has been a 580% increase in produce imports from Mexico into the U.S. In Florida, that has created an estimated $4 billion annual economic loss, with seasonal growers bearing a hit of between $1.31 billion and $2.63 billion each year.

“Volumes of unfairly priced produce imported from foreign suppliers continue to soar at an alarming rate, putting extreme pressure on Florida growers of fresh fruits and vegetables and forcing many out of business. Solutions like those presented in The Defending Domestic Produce Production Act will combat the flood of produce imports entering the U.S. market, helping to level the playing field for Florida growers and ensure a strong domestic food supply,” said Mike Joyner, president of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association.

“We appreciate the continued leadership of Congressman Buchanan, as well as the entire Florida congressional delegation, on this important issue and look forward to continuing our work together to identify desperately needed trade mechanisms.”

Image courtesy IFAS.

JMX Brands Business Manager Doug Tuck received the President’s Award during the company’s annual awards ceremony on January 26, 2023. Since 2017, the JMX Brands awards ceremony has celebrated and recognized individuals’ outstanding character, commitment, hard work and results.Tuck joined JMX Brands in June 2020. A fast learner, he quickly became comfortable assuming leadership within Business, Finance and Human Resources (BFH) team and the larger company. Under Tuck’s leadership, the JMX Brands accounting system, budget process, financial reporting and financial management systems were improved. His oversight of human resources has required competency at the strategic level and in managing individual situations and processes. He has a vision for change over time that is consistent with the company’s culture. His impactful contributions include overseeing JMX Brands existing properties and the development of new properties. The JMX Brands President’s Award annually recognizes one employee for excellence in work and game-changing contributions. For his notable achievements, Business Manager Doug Tuck was presented with a trophy and monetary award. 

Pictured: Jim Miller (left) with Doug Tuck. Courtesy of JMX Brands.

Since the pandemic, studies have shown Americans are spending more time than ever on the couch with it becoming a work station as well as a place to relax and unwind. Breeze Airways has just announced the “Get Off The Couch” sale from Sarasota-Bradenton, FL, with fares starting from $39* to Hartford and New York’s Westchester County, which should help to reverse that trend. From Sarasota/Bradenton, FL to: Hartford, CT starting from $39*, Westchester County/New York, NY starting from $59*. Must be purchased by February 6 (11:59pm ET), for travel through February 28, 2023. 

Happy 59th Anniversary to Nationwide Protective Coatings! For the past 59 years, Nationwide Protective Coatings has been a leading provider of high-quality architectural paints and coatings for a variety of surfaces and structures. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for protecting and preserving, Nationwide has earned a reputation for delivering top-notch results as well as exceptional customer service. Over the years, Nationwide Protective Coatings has expanded its offerings to include a full range of coating solutions for a wide variety of industries. From industrial and commercial to residential, we have the expertise and the products to meet the unique needs of each client or project anywhere in the world. Whether you need a coating to protect against the elements, to extend the life of a surface, or to enhance its appearance, Nationwide Protective Coatings has the solution you need. With a focus on sustainability and environmentally friendly products, Nationwide provides coatings that not only protect but also care for the planet. We are proud to have been a part of Nationwide Protective Coatings' journey over the past 59 years and look forward to many more years of success. Congratulations to our team on this amazing milestone and here's to many more! Next year is the big 6-0! For more information about Nationwide Protective Coatings and their products, visit their website at www.nationwidecoatings.com. 

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The DeMarcay, a luxury residential condominium project in downtown Sarasota, is pleased to announce only two homes in the Developer Reserve Collection remain for sale in the luxury condominium building in the heart of downtown Sarasota. Residence 1301 is offered at $4.25 million and features 3,407 square feet of living space with three bedrooms plus a den, 3.5 bathrooms, two outdoor terraces with stunning waterfront views and two parking spaces. Residence 1601, the largest home in the building occupying the 15th and 16th floors, is offered at $12.5 million. The stunning, two-story residence features 6,814 square feet of living space, with four bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms and three additional customizable rooms that can be made into a library, wine room or home theatre, among others. The main living area and primary bedroom enjoy expansive views of Sarasota Bay and the marina. A formal guest suite sits on the second level, a full-service guest quarters with kitchenette resides on the first level, and a private internal elevator connects the two floors. Four parking spaces are also included. This week, construction crews will pour the 17th floor deck, drywall is complete through the seventh floor, and windows are complete through the tenth floor. Situated high above the collection of Zagat-rated restaurants and nearby entertainment venues, the 18-story DeMarcay Residences on S. Palm Avenue will feature unmatched city and water views, an unrivaled connection to shops and restaurants, and a rooftop pool and lounge. Starting on the 13th floor, the Developer Reserve Collection floor plans boast a number of exclusive features including expansive bay and city views, soaring 11-foot ceilings, upgraded gourmet kitchens, generous primary suites with large walk-in closets, en-suite guest bedrooms, laundry rooms with side-by-side washer/dryer and sink, two terraces, two parking spaces and floors with only 2 other residences. Luxury interior home finishes include imported Italian Snaidero cabinets, Kallista faucets by Kohler, Caesarstone quartz countertops and Miele appliances. The DeMarcay’s historic address and high walkability scores make the building a prime location for downtown dwellers. Residents will also have a resort-style rooftop pool and large clubroom high atop the city with expansive waterfront views of the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay. The clubroom and lobby areas will feature a mix of transitional and Spanish Colonial styles which are in harmony with the historic 1920s DeMarcay façade. All of this, along with 24/7 on-site staff and valet parking, provides residents with a fabulous luxury home in the best location in Downtown Sarasota. Located directly across the street from the project is the DeMarcay sales gallery at 32 S. Palm Avenue. Visitors can see a scaled replica of the building, take a virtual tour of all remaining residences, see two vignettes of kitchens and bathrooms, and hold samples of the interior finishes. To schedule an appointment or a building tour, call 941-404-8858. 

National Care About Your Indoor Air Month is observed in February, and we plan to celebrate it by cleaning our air filters, ducts, and vents and ensuring our heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (H.V.A.C.) units run efficiently. Total Indoor Environmental Solutions (T.I.E.S. 360) observes this annually and offers everyone the opportunity to think
about the air they breathe indoors with these suggested solutions. Is Indoor Air Quality Important? “One of the more popular statistics often cited about indoor spaces is just how much time the average American spends indoors. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates it at 90%,” said Kay Lenard, president of Total Indoor Environmental Solutions. “Indoor air quality is also significant because of its role in health and wellness. There are many known adverse health effects from exposure to poor air quality.” Healthy indoor air quality is associated with many benefits. There are many solutions and strategies available to ensure healthier, safer, cleaner breathable air in the indoor spaces you frequent. 1. Preventive Maintenance: This includes routine filter changes, seasonal HVAC maintenance, and performing system checks or IAQ testing to take care of problems before a problem is out of hand. 2. Healthy Home Habits: These are simple daily actions or routine practices to change to better control pollution sources. Source control tricks include not wearing shoes inside or cooking with windows open. 3. IAQ Upgrades & Control Strategies: Home system upgrades include air filtration, purification, humidity control options, and improved ventilation. “Like everything else in your home, your air ducts collect dust and debris over time. Dirty ducts cause respiratory health problems and serve as a breeding ground for dust mites, mold, bacteria, and other fungi,” said Lenard. For more information, please call (941) 870-3302 or visit www.ties360.com. 

Christopher Alan Homes announces the selection of Carissa Anderson as its director of sales. Anderson will be responsible for all sales operations for Southwest Florida, regional emerging markets and managing all aspects of the Christopher Alan Homes world-class customer experience. Anderson is an accomplished real estate leader with more than 15 years of experience in strategic direction and sales execution, marketing and branding. She has managed teams at several of the top homebuilding companies in the nation and holds a bachelor of science in engineering and technological management from Arizona State University. Prior to joining Christopher Alan Homes, Anderson was a director of sales for a national homebuilder, where she managed a team of over 40 including sales professionals, interior designers and online sales agents across neighborhoods in Southwest Florida, encompassing more than 2,700 closings. She was also responsible for over 30% of the business in the homebuilder’s Southwest Florida region. Christopher Alan Homes is a builder-owned organization affiliated with Barron Collier Companies. It was the only local homebuilder among Southwest Florida’s top 10 builders for single-family residential permitted units in 2021, ranking fourth against a field of national companies. Christopher Alan Homes is a preferred home builder in Southwest Florida because of its focus on customer needs and simplifying the homebuying process. Christopher Alan Homes also builds on scattered homesites in Charlotte, Sarasota and Lee counties in Southwest Florida and Melbourne and Palm Bay on Florida’s East Central Space Coast. For more information, visit www.ChristopherAlanHomes.com or call 855-44-MYCAH. 

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