Farm Spotlight: R.C. Hatton Inc.

Feeding South Florida partners with many local farms and growers throughout South Florida to help reach our mission of providing immediate access to nutritious food, leading hunger and poverty advocacy efforts, and transforming lives through innovative programming and education.

These local efforts are the growing backbone of Feeding South Florida and have helped shape the lives of many individuals in the community who are food insecure by producing fresh produce. One of those local partners includes a farming operation located on the fertile grounds of the eastern shore of Lake Okeechobee that goes by the name of R.C. Hatton Inc.

Founded in 1932 by Robert C. Hatton, R.C. Hatton initially produced sweet corn and beans and has grown over the years to include more acres of land – 12,000 acres to be exact – and increased their farming production to include additional crop variety. Since 1960, they have been a pioneer in developing crop production methods, a leader in many sweet corn varieties, and since 2004 they have grown sweet corn and green beans in South Georgia as well.

Aside from the fact that R.C. Hatton has achieved much success in the agricultural industry, their involvement in the community is what sets them apart and awards them the spotlight.

R.C. Hatton Inc. has been feeding the hungry by supplying fresh produce for more than 20 years. Each year, the farm harvests over 100,000 pounds of fresh corn, green beans and, as of this year, cabbage which they donate to Feeding South Florida to help those in need of food assistance.

“We are glad to partner with Feeding South Florida to provide assistance for those who are food insecure,” said Denise Hatton, title. “ Feeding South Florida has an excellent program for collecting and distributing products to organizations who reach the needy.  This is especially important when the product is perishable like our vegetables!”

Feeding South Florida also recently recognized R.C. Hatton as its “Agricultural Partner of the Year” during our 2nd Annual Happy Harvest Community Partner Breakfast.

Through several gleaning opportunities and their commitment to donating up to 10 percent of their yearly harvest towards hunger relief, R.C. Hatton Farm has donated over 25,000 pounds of high-quality produce! What’s incredible about this honoree is that they purposefully commit to providing fresh food for families, with specific produce set aside for food banks. Feeding South Florida is happy to recognize such an amazing agricultural partner in our community, and honored to have Denise Hatton, Director of Public Affairs for R.C. Hatton Farms, as our Breakfast’s Keynote Speaker.

R.C. Hatton Inc are also members of The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, Sunshine Sweet Corn Farmers of Florida, Fresh From Florida, Florida Farm Bureau, Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative, and the United States Sugar Corporation.