What does HMC stand for?
Harold and Mike Company.
What is hydrocooling?
Hydrocooling is the process of taking the field heat out of the fruit after harvest before packing. It allows pickers to harvest fruit at a riper stage than fruit that is packed without hydrocooling. Our summer temperatures can hover around 100 degrees, so it is important to bring down the temperature of the fruit to around 58 degrees before packing. We only cool to 58 degrees because it was discovered that temperatures below 58 can lead to staining and splitting in tree fruit.
Can I buy fruit direct from HMC Farms?
Of course, simply visit our store on the HMC Farms website to see what we are currently offering.
Are you organic?
We do not grow organically but we do grow sustainably, which we believe is actually better for the fruit and the environment.
Are stickers harmful?
Not at all.
What are the white specks on the peach or nectarine pit?
The white on the pit is called Callus. These are undifferentiated cells that occur when the pit seperates from the walls. This is completely normal and in no way harmful. If you see this white buildup on your pit or the flesh that was connected to the pit please feel free to eat and enjoy.
Why do you pack in bins instead of totes?
We have found through the years that when it comes to picking and packing bins work better for us. We can bring more fruit in at a time, which cuts down on inefficiencies in transportation. The bin dumpers on all of our lines are gentle reverse dumpers to ensure the fruit is delicately placed on the belt rather than dumped as the name suggests. Lastly we are able to sort through the fruit in the field and get a better idea of quality by looking at the product in a large quantity.
What are chill hours?
Chill hours are a resting time for the tree during the winter months. Every winter every tree must receive anywhere from 800 to 1000 chill hours. Chill hours are the number of hours 45 degrees and less between November 1st and February 28th.
Do you deplete your soil’s nutrition?
We do not, in fact we do just the opposite. Every year we take samples of the ground to study which nutrients may have been lost, then we add them back into the soil in the early winter months. Minerals added usually include calcium, nitrogen, zinc, iron, magnesium, and boron.
How do we choose varieties?
All varieties are chosen based on three categories. The first and most important is flavor/taste. The second is timing and the third is fruitfulness and sizing. Sometimes varieties are purchased from a nursery and other times we have discovered that a tree has started producing a different piece of fruit which can then be grafted onto a rootstock or underpreforming variety.
What is Grape Escape?
Grape Escape is fresh grapes off the stem, washed and ready to eat. Grape Escape is washed only with water so that all you taste are fresh grapes.
I am waiting patiently for your June Flame peaches to show up at our local store here in Central Florida. Last year it was July before I found those big, plump, ripe and delicious peaches you grow and ship. Soon after that it was Bev’s red, and July Flame. Love them all. I grow up on an orchard in Missouri and I know a good ripe peach when I see one. Thank you for having the best.- James Lunceford
Just wanted you to know that there are those of us out here in the hinterlands who enjoy your produce, especially the HMC 4042 Plums. Thanks
- Daniel DuPre
The Black Grapes are the best grapes I have ever tasted. I eat grapes all of the time and so far these are the best. I love black grapes and red ones too. I found the Black Grapes in Gulfport, MS and have bought 6 containers of them. Everyone who tastes them says the same thing.
- Sandra Mitchell
Just tasted the red plums that I bought yesterday. They were reasonably priced, firm, great looking and delicious. Thank you.
- Jesse Burdette
Peaches are marvelous. Have never had better
- Pat Quinn
Where is your farm located? I bought some nectarines with your farms logo on them, and they were excellent. Thanks for any feedback.
- Tom Gniazdowski