By Brenda Eubanks Burnette
As I look back through my past columns, I realize I’ve unintentionally overlooked an organization that played a pivotal role in shaping both my career and my passion for Florida’s citrus industry — the Dundee Citrus Growers Association (CGA). Dundee CGA generously sponsored me — not once, but twice — in the Florida Citrus Queen Pageant, an experience that opened doors and set me on the path I’ve followed ever since.
Established in 1924, Dundee CGA stands as one of the oldest citrus growers’ assodundeciations in Florida and remains one of the few still active today. With over a century of continuous service, its commitment to the industry and community is evident. According to “D is for Diamonds: The 75th Anniversary of Dundee Citrus Growers Association,” by W. Gordon Smith, Dundee CGA packed 77,602 cartons in its first season (1924–25), during a period when Florida’s annual citrus production was approximately 16 million boxes. The association’s original label was Dun-D, which was later complemented by the playful Polka Dot brand for choice-grade fruit.
The association initially purchased the W.E. Lee packinghouse, located on State Road 8 just north of Dundee, and subsequently built a new packinghouse near Dundee’s center in 1930. G.F. Kletzin served as the first president in 1924. His leadership was encouraged by C.C. Commander, manager of the Polk County Sub-Exchange of the Florida Citrus Exchange, which had been established in 1909. Dundee CGA originally joined the Exchange as part of the Lake Region Citrus Sub-Exchange, later switching to the Winter Haven Citrus Sub-Exchange.
Over the decades, Dundee CGA has marketed fruit under a colorful array of labels, including: Dun-D, Dun-D Premium, Dun-D Right Time Right Cause, Brimful, Polka Dot, Searcher, Sealdsweet, Telefone, Atlantic, Capital, Bimore, Kaybee, Eden and Rich ’n Natural. The fruit was marketed through Seald-Sweet Growers until 1986, when Dundee CGA established its own sales department.
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