Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Your FIRG Fundraising Sale

Q: When should we start our sale?

A: Immediately. Our clients have discovered that the way to maximize their sales while minimizing their effort is to begin planning for their sale far in advance of their actual selling period. Your actual selling period will most likely be between September and November and will depend upon the time available to you and any other fundraising activities you may be conducting. If you’re like most individuals, the one thing you’re most likely short on is time. You most likely have a full time job, a family, and numerous other responsibilities. And that’s where we come in. Because at Florida Indian River Groves, our team takes pride in making your job easy, stress-free, and enjoyable. So even if you’re unsure of what varieties to sell, when to hold your sale, or when to take delivery, even if the only thing you know is that you’re planning on having a sale, just pick up the phone and call a member of our team toll free at 1-800-468-3168. A member of our staff would be happy to walk you through the entire process step by step.

Q: What varieties should we offer?

A: If you are beginning a citrus fundraising program, we would suggest offering our Navel Oranges and our Indian River Red Grapefruit. These are by far our largest selling varieties, accounting for more than 90 % of our total sales. You may also want to consider offering our mixed carton of Navel Oranges and Indian River Red Grapefruit. This carton has become very popular with smaller families and individuals who would like to support your organization but who do not wish to purchase a box of each variety. If you already have an established program that offers Florida Tangelos, Hamlin (Juice) Oranges, or any other varieties, you will most likely want to continue with those varieties unless the volume sold does not justify the additional effort associated with distribution.

Q: You don’t offer a variety we currently sell. What now?

A: If you currently sell citrus as a fundraiser and do not see information on an item you have offered in the past, please call our offices. Florida Indian River Groves may be able to provide you with a particular variety or mixed carton as we do special packing on a limited basis. However, please note that it is a common misconception that by offering more varieties your organization will increase sales. This is simply not true! You will not sell three times as many cartons by offering three times as many varieties. You will simply create three times as much work! Some of our clients have attempted to boost sales by expanding the number of varieties they offer, and a large majority of these clients have found that their total sales remain the same. However, the time required to unload, sort, and distribute the fruit has increased considerably. By limiting the number of varieties your group offers, you will achieve excellent results while keeping your distribution easy.

Q: Do you provide any promotional materials for our sale?

A: Yes, Florida Indian River Groves will provide your organization with full color promotional materials at no cost to you. These materials include: color product flyers, 3 part order forms, collection envelopes, and a variety of posters in a variety of sizes. For your convenience, samples of these materials have been included with this information. Please note that there is no right or wrong way to use these materials. You may choose to use some, all, or none of these materials. We have also enclosed numerous tips for promoting your sale. Be sure to ask a member of our team for additional tips on promoting your citrus fundraiser.

Q: How long should our sale last?

A: Most organizations will sell for a period of two to six weeks. This will give you substantial time to promote your sale while keeping enthusiasm high.

Q: What Delivery Options Do We Have?

A: Deliveries for Fall 2007 will be made during the following four weeks: November 11th through November 17th November 25th through December 1st December 2nd through December 8th December 9th through December 15th December 16th through December 22nd (Limited Availability. Please Call) If your order is equal to or will exceed the equivalent of a full truckload, you may specify a day and time for delivery. A full truckload is equivalent to 40,000 pounds. If your organization will be ordering less than a full truckload, we must combine your order with orders of other clients. Doing so enables us to control freight costs and to offer you a larger profit margin. Of course you may still request and may receive your fruit on a specific day, but you must be flexible. Unless prior arrangements have been made through our office, we cannot guarantee a specific delivery day for orders totaling less than a full truckload. Even though your order may be less than a full truckload, we will notify you in advance of the approximate delivery date and delivery time. You will be contacted once your order has left our packing facilities. If you require further advance notice, please contact our office. With orders totaling less than a full truckload, it is extremely important that you not advertise a pickup date to your customers until that date has been confirmed by our office.

Q: Is there a minimum order?

A: Yes. While we are normally able to accommodate smaller orders, we cannot guarantee delivery of an order totaling less than 10,000 pounds. While we will do our absolute best to deliver orders that fall below our minimum order requirement, you need to be aware that this may not be possible. Please note that, in the event we are able to deliver an order that falls below 10,000 pounds, an additional $100 shipping charge will apply.

Q: When do we need to contact you with our order?

A: The date that you will need to contact us with a final order will depend upon your requested delivery period. Use the table below to locate your order deadline. If you need extra time, please contact our office. However, unless prior arrangements have been made, we will expect your order based upon the following schedule. For Delivery Between: Contact Us No Later Than: November 11th through November 17th October 26th November 25th through December 1st November 9th December 2nd through December 8th November 16th December 9th through 15th November 23rd December 16th through December 22nd (Limited Availability. Please Call) November 30th (Limited Availability. Please Call) Please note that the order you call in should be your final order, as revisions will not be accepted after the listed dates. Always order a few extra boxes to fill orders that have not been turned in or for extras to sell to last minute buyers.  When your order is complete, please call.  We will take your final quantities over the phone and will verify both delivery day telephone numbers and your delivery location.  We will also provide you with a confirming order form. You will need to mail, fax or e-mail a confirmation of your order along with a short set of directions or a map to your delivery location.  This will enable us to do a final check of the numbers that we have taken from you over the phone. It is important to note that your order will not leave our facilities without both verbal and written confirmation of you order.  If you are required to prepay your order, payments should be included with the confirming order form you return to us.

Q: Who’s responsible for unloading the fruit once it arrives?

A:Our drivers are considerate, helpful, and most importantly, on time.  However, since each full truckload holds the equivalent of 1000 large cartons, they are not required to unload. Your driver may or may not offer to assist you. You should have an adequate number of volunteers ready to unload.  The number of volunteers required will depend upon the size of your total order.  Please keep in mind that your truck driver may have additional deliveries to be made.  Your assistance in unloading as quickly as possible is greatly appreciated by both the driver and the organizations who are expecting their citrus after yours.

Q: How do we distribute the fruit?

A: When the truck arrives, the fruit for your organization will be clearly marked and will be separated by orange streamers from the fruit intended for other organizations.  It is extremely important to verify the count as the fruit comes off the truck. Do not attempt to unload the fruit into a storage area and then count the fruit.  It is nearly impossible to get an accurate count this way.  Please note that the numbers on the drivers manifest will be greater than your actual order. This is the result of the 1 % overage that Florida Indian River Groves supplies at no charge to you!  Also, to assist you in both verifying the correct count and in distribution, all of our citrus is shipped in clearly labeled, color-coded cartons. Once unloaded you may prefer to have your customers come pick up their fruit at a designated day and time, or you may prefer to hold your members responsible for distributing their individual orders.

Q: How long will the fruit last?

A: Your Florida Citrus should be kept refrigerated.  It will last longer in temperatures ranging from 35 to 50 degrees.  Also, it’s important to let air circulate around citrus.  Don’t place your fruit in plastic bags or film-wrapped trays. Drops of moisture will form between the film and peel and will promote mold growth. A special note about grapefruit:  The skin of grapefruit can develop dark sunken patches if left refrigerated too long.  After all, it’s a tropical fruit so it’s sensitive to cold temperatures, but only superficially. Blemishes on the peel don’t affect the fruit inside at all.  It’s still delicious.

Q: Is the fruit seedless?

A: Yes.  The term “Seedless” fruit is generally used to describe pieces of fruit that contain fewer than six seeds. While you may find one or two seeds near the center of the fruit, be assured your time will be spent enjoying our Fresh Florida Citrus and not removing seeds.

Q: What about the exterior color of the fruit?

A: The exterior color of the fruit you receive will vary with the climate. When we experience colder temperatures, the exterior will turn a yellow-orange, the way you may be used to seeing.  However, when we experience milder temperatures, you may notice a green tinge as the trees are busy putting more natural sugar into the fruit instead of color into the skin. The inside of the citrus is fully ripe regardless of the color of the exterior.

Q: Is the grapefruit red, pink, or white?

A: Florida Indian River Groves will provide your organization with our famous Red Grapefruit.  However, the actual interior color of the grapefruit will vary from year to year depending on growing conditions. Some years the interior may be more pink in color while other years it may be more of a darker red. Therefore, we suggest that you tell your members to describe the grapefruit as pink in color. Your customers will more than likely just want to know that the grapefruit is not white grapefruit.

Q: When will prices be available?

A: Our fundraising prices are generally released in mid August. Prices do not fluctuate much from year to year, and you should be able to get an excellent idea of your profit margin by reviewing a copy of last year’s pricing. However, if your organization would like to get an early start on your sale, prices can be confirmed at any time. Please call our office and a member of our team will confirm pricing for you. At Florida Indian River Groves, you will find that our prices are highly competitive. Certainly, cheaper fruit will always be readily available. However, your decision to use Florida Indian River Groves reflects a decision on your part to offer your supporters the best citrus available anywhere. Do not be fooled.  Over 1500 organizations cannot be wrong. Our citrus is unparalleled in quality and is available exclusively through our office. We do not use local brokers or middlemen. As a benefit of offering the best quality available, you will find that your sales will drastically increase from year to year and that your increase in sales will more than make up for a nickel or dime difference in price.

Q: How do we determine our selling price?

A: We will provide your organization with suggested selling prices. In most cases, our suggested selling prices will provide your organization with a markup of approximately 100%.  Our suggested selling price is conservative, and many of our organizations have found that they are able to charge more than what we recommend. Ultimately, the amount you charge is entirely up to you. More than anyone, you are familiar with the economic conditions of your area.

Q: What are the various discounts available to us?

A: In addition to our competitive pricing, Florida Indian River Groves offers numerous discounts that your organization may be eligible for. If your organization sells a full truckload or more, you will receive a $250 discount per full truckload. As previously discussed, a full truckload is equivalent to 40,000 pounds.  Regardless of the size of your order, your organization qualifies for 1 % discount for prepayment of your order. If you plan on mailing a check prior to delivery, please deduct 1 % of your entire fruit cost.

Q: Is there anything else I should know?

A: Yes! Simply put, Florida Indian River Groves is the Best in the Business! Your business is as important to us as your fundraising is to you!  Our team is always available to assist you at anytime. The entire process is very simple and our experienced team of professionals will walk you through the entire process step by step. Our success (and yours) is based upon providing you with our Finest Indian River citrus, ensuring that our citrus arrives on your schedule, and providing you with our First Class customer service. Call us today with any additional questions and to finalize arrangements for your sale.

Additional Questions?
Call Us Today! 1-800-468-3168