Community Spotlight: Mixon Fruit Farms Celebrates 75 years with a Special Luncheon

Janet and Dean Mixon

BRADENTON – Mixon Fruit Farms started in 1939 with a little roadside fruit stand with Rosa and Willie Mixon and their six children. Through the years the farm grew to 350 acres. Now, 75 years later, there are only 50 acres of citrus at the 2525 27th St E, Bradenton location. Mixon Farm is still one of the state’s leading Gift Fruit Shippers; however, with the changes in regulations, the Mixon's knew they had to diversify and became a part of the tourism industry by adding to the farm.

Mixon Fruit Farms now includes a large, 14,000 square ft. gift shoppe, deli, homemade fudge, orange swirl ice cream, festivals, tours through the grove, a wildlife education center, an amazing wedding and events area and tropical gardens and children’s play area. 

The Mixon family will be hosting a luncheon on January 9th to celebrate the business. They have also invited many other family-owned business owners that have been in business for over 40 years. “We want to use this opportunity to recognize other families that have been in Manatee County for a long period of time,” says Janet Mixon. “Owning a business is hard and owning a family business is even harder,” says Dean Mixon. “We have known and worked with most of these families for all my life, and many worked with my father, Bill Mixon, before me.”

Willie and WillaMae Mixon

Businesses like Cox Chevrolet, Costantino Body Shop, Sandhoff Construction and Smokey's Glass are just a few of the honored guest at the luncheon.

The Mixon’s have invited many other special guests, including Governor Rick Scott of Florida, Bill Lupfer, the President of The Florida Attractions Association, Bill Herrle of the National Federation of Independent Business and many more. “We look forward to sharing this day with the people of our community,” says Dean Mixon. “We have been a place where people make 'Mixon Memories' and this will be one more memory for the people of our area.”

Mixon Fruit Farms is located at 2525 27th Street East, Bradenton. For more information call 941-748-5829, or visit their website.