New Port Richey, FL (Feb. 17, 2016) – Ecology Florida and Friendship Farms & Fare, with the support of the City of New Port Richey, will host the third annual Florida Loquat Festival on Saturday, March 26 from 9:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Frances Avenue Park (6156 Louisiana Avenue, 34653) in New Port Richey.

The festival is a learning and sharing event expanding the knowledge and appreciation of the loquat tree and its fruit. There will be presentations on the cultivation of loquat trees, how to eat its fruit, how to can it and cook with it, and recipes using loquats. Also featured will be samples for tasting, and a talk on the cultural context of this often overlooked Florida fruit-bearing tree. Trees will be available for sale from licensed Florida nurseries along with fresh fruit, loquat preserves, and other loquat products.

Organizers are currently looking for volunteers to help harvest the fruit. All harvesting will take place in New Port Richey on certain days. Call Dell deChant at (727) 849-1626 to sign up.

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Ecology Florida and Friendship Farms & Fare will host the third annual Florida Loquat Festival on Saturday, March 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Frances Avenue Park (5580 Frances Ave., 34652) in New Port Richey. Come and enjoy this one-of-a-kind celebration of Florida’s wonderful spring fruit.