- Local
- Community
- Journalism
Support the independent voice of Miami and help keep the future of New Times free.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez loves his Publix. And its store manager, John Navarro, too.
"Johnny...I'm giving you a plug, your bosses are here. Best manager Publix has," Alvarez said of Navarro addressing media, Publix employees, and producers during the launch of Redland Raised -- a branding campaign to promote local produce.
A beaming Navarro told Short Order that his Westchester store (7805 SW 40 St.), was chosen for the
launch because the mayor shops there a couple times a week. "He likes
me because I don't talk politics to him, only sports."
The Redland Raised campaign was created by the county, the Florida
Department of Agriculture and Publix to encourage consumption of local
produce. Miami-Dade's agricultural industry ranks second in the state and 18th in the country, according to Alvarez. And it pumps $2.7 million billion into the local economy.
The Redland Raised seal is already in Florida Publix stores. On display at the Westchester store were zucchini, squash, avocados, boniato, green beans and Schnebly wines. Let's hope with the branding also comes an expanded local selection.
Keep Miami New Times Free... Since we started Miami New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Miami, and we would like to keep it that way. Offering our readers free access to incisive coverage of local news, food and culture. Producing stories on everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with gutsy reporting, stylish writing, and staffers who've won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi feature-writing award to the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism. But with local journalism's existence under siege and advertising revenue setbacks having a larger impact, it is important now more than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" membership program, allowing us to keep covering Miami with no paywalls.
