PLANT CITY, Fla. — Welcome to Berry Sweet Acres. The “U-Pick” spot opened in mid-December.

What You Need To Know

  • Berry Sweet Acres U-Pick Strawberries, 5621 U.S. Hwy. 92, Plant City 33566

  • Wednesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in season 

  • Nearly 4 acres yield 100,000-140,000 pounds of berries

  • Plant City is known as "The Winter Strawberry Capital of the World"

It’s strawberry picking time at the nearly 4-acre plot off U.S. Hwy. 92 in Plant City. How many strawberries will the area produce in one season?

“This whole block should probably do — if my math is correct — about 100-140,000 pounds,” said Matt Parke.

Parke and his wife, Kandice, own the land and have a “barntique,” for (included but not limited to) clothing, home decor, locally made candles and berry jewelry.

Parke and his family also have been a part of Plant City’s strawberry farming community for generations.

When picking strawberries, your first instinct might be to twist and pull.

Parke grasps a strawberry lightly and bends it: it pops right off. This all started as one-off a few years ago at the end of the season. The response to opening the field to visitors was surprising to Parke.

“We had a super big draw. People coming from all over the place, they were so excited to be here,” he said.

And they had lots of questions. This interest edified Parke.

“A lot of people just think you go to the store and there it is. It comes from the store,” he said.

Parke is there to explain the fruit’s journey before it hits the store.

“Kids are more educated on what we do out here in the agricultural world,” he said.

Seeing kids happily picking berries reminds him of his own childhood.

“I was privileged in that way,” Parke said. “I was raised, you know, not in the cities, but out here.”

It’s a privilege he wants to pass on to other families — even if it’s just for a few hours. 

“Just having a good time out here, running around,” said Parke. “Just being a kid.”