JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The citrus industry in Florida is facing a severe crisis. Over the past two decades, production has plummeted dramatically by 90%, dropping from 300 million boxes annually to just 12 million in the last season. The Florida Legislature has intervened with $140 million in aid, and in Jacksonville, a local community is joining the efforts to assist.

Which community? The answer is logical, but most people get this question wrong. The answer? Mandarin.

Mandarin, with its majestic oak trees and deep-rooted history, has always been closely linked to Florida’s citrus heritage. In the late 1800s, this area was home to 25,000 orange trees, attracting families from afar to purchase bushels of fruit.

Renowned author Harriet Beecher Stowe, famous for her influential novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, spent her winters in Mandarin. She painted her oranges and invited tourists to wander through her groves. Stowe had a profound impact on the abolitionist movement with her book, which depicted the humanity, suffering, and family challenges of enslaved people. It reached countless readers both in the U.S. and internationally, influencing public opinion and garnering support for the anti-slavery cause. She even had orange crates bearing her name, connecting her Mandarin life to the local citrus history.

However, the industry in this region was almost entirely wiped out by freezes, hurricanes, and diseases. Longtime residents recall the days when nearly every home boasted an orange tree.

Joe Walsh, longtime resident:

“I’ve been here my entire life. In those days, almost every house had an orange tree. But they all perished in the freeze during the ’70s… and then the green disease hit.”

Emily Lisska, recalling family trips:

“Brothers, cousins, mom, dad, loaded into the car—children could stand up back then, no seatbelts—and we came out here to buy bushels of oranges.”

These memories capture a bygone era when Mandarin’s orange groves shaped daily life. 

Now, the Mandarin Community Club is working to honor that history and support the future of Florida citrus. The club is holding a Florida Citrus Fundraiser, offering fresh pink grapefruit, mandarins, and navel oranges. Orders can be placed online. 

Brett Nolan, Vice President of the Mandarin Community Club, says the project is about more than just fruit:

“She [Stowe] had tons and tons of orange groves. People would come by steamboat and pay 75 cents to walk around her groves and meet her.”

Today, the same site where Stowe once opened a school is home to the Mandarin Community Club — a hub where residents are helping keep citrus traditions alive.

The fundraiser is open to businesses, schools, churches, and individuals, making it easy for anyone in the area to get involved. With a variety of citrus available, it’s a delicious way to enjoy Florida’s bounty and connect with local history.

Click here to order your fruit: Mandarin Community Club Citrus Fundraiser

It’s a chance to taste the sweetness of Florida history — and celebrate a community that’s trying to help keep the citrus industry alive.