South Dade High School and the Dade County Farm Bureau have selected South Dade High School alumnus Pal Brooks to be one of 15 people whose information and photos will make up an exhibit called "Growing A Legacy: A Tribute to South Dade Alumni in Agribusiness."
Pal graduated from South Dade High in 1957. He was in the first graduating class to complete their freshmen through senior year at the new school.
Excerpts from an article in the Chicago Tribune
By James P. DeWan
July 30, 2008
It's easy to take burgers for granted, but as with everything else, the more we know, the better the end product will be.
1. Great burgers come from many sources: lamb, pork, turkey, even salmon or crab. Burgers made from leaner meats like turkey can dry out very easily and should be augmented with moisture-adding ingredients. (like a SlimCado Avocado,see number 2)
2. Don't just think about what goes "on" your burger. Think about what goes "in" your burger too. We want the entirety of the burger, not just the top, to be seasoned and flavored.
Then, think of all the great flavor combinations you've had in the past, and imagine them in a burger. If you like guacamole, try mashing an avocado into the burger mixture. The avocado will not only add great taste but also add moisture to the meat. (Cut down on the fat and calories of the avocado by going SlimCado)
3. When mixing ground meat, make sure it's cold and keep the mixing to a minimum. If the meat gets too warm—this can result simply from the heat of your hands—the fat melts and turns everything into a gloppy mess. The best idea is keep the meat, bowl and utensils in the fridge until mixing time. Then, place your mixing bowl inside another bowl filled with ice.
(blogger additions to article)
It's starfruit packaging that makes sense.
StarPac helps delivers star quality fruit to your table. It earns a 5 Star Rating by
1. keeping starfruit fresher
2. enhancing the ripening process
3. preventing bruising
4. making starfruit easy to display
and
5. easy to scan during check-out
StarPac is now available only at Brooks Tropicals.
In reporting about the closing of two competitors, news bureaus in Belize accidentally made it sound like Brooks Tropicals’ business in Belize would be impacted.
This is incorrect. Brooks Tropicals is currently growing, packing and shipping over 60% of Belize’s exported papayas. We are almost back up to pre-hurricane Dean volumes of 74%. Brooks Tropicals’ papaya production is targeted to exceed pre-Dean volumes by the end of 2008.
Committed to its Belize operations, Brooks Tropicals over the last year has built a new $1.5 million building complex in Belize and has added $.5 million packing machine to its packing facility. During this timeframe, the company has also beefed up its managerial staff in Belize with the addition of Sergio Madrid and Henry Warrington.
Brooks Tropicals sees no negative impact from the competitor closings nor do we see any obstruction to achieving our goals in 2008 and beyond.
New ads for our trade publications came out this week.
The first, for Caribbean Red papayas, plays to the reader's thoughts of vacation in a favorite destination.
For SlimCado avocados, this is the second in a series of 'how to eat' themes. The first in the series was "Healthy Salads Deserve SlimCado Avocados." In this ad, we use the color of the fruit to connect with a popular theme. 
1st place winner Kristen and 3rd place winner Minerva (Monique was unavailable) are standing in front of the 'hint' which was the map in the executive offices which shows where our produce is grown.
What grows in Florida that Brooks Tropicals sells? The correct answer at the very least needed to include: SlimCado avocados, starfruit, kumquats, aloe, water coconuts, boniatos, mamey sapote, sugarcane and guava.
Congratulations Kristen, Monique and Minerva
We have our winners. In first place, is Kristen Pritchett, in second place, Monique Muraciov. And last but not least winner number 3 is Minerva Santiago.
Congratulations! Winners come by later this afternoon to pick up your prizes.
Brooks Tropicals grows, packs and ships tropical produce grown in Florida and the Caribbean.
For the first three employees that can name the produce grown in Florida that we sell, these winners will have their pick of a Fresh from Florida license plate, tote bag or cookbook.*
Most complete entries win based on the timestamp of your contest entry email sent to maryo@brookstropicals.com.
*For Brooks Tropicals employees only! 1st place winner can choose 1 out of 3 prizes. 2nd place winner can choose 1 out of the remaining 2 prizes. 3rd place wins the remaining 3rd prize.
It started out as a surprise baby lunch to celebrate the arrival of Craig's new baby girl. It turned into a double surprise. Cake, presents and sandwiches were all present; unfortunately Craig was delayed.
We'll save Craig the presents, a sandwich and a piece of cake. 
