Groeb Farms, Inc. opened a new quality laboratory for testing of raw honey materials and finished honey products on June 23, 2009. Groeb Farms has always assured a quality honey product (100% testing for Chloramphenicol (CAP) and pesticide residuals in January 2009).  The establishment of our own new dedicated laboratory at Groeb Farms is just one more way to provide Quality Assurance to our  Customers  by maintaining leadership in honey testing within the industry.  The new Lab enables Groeb Farms to continue to raise the bar with new levels of testing as well as centralization of all testing in a new free standing lab located adjacent to our Belleview, Florida plant.

The new quality lab will continue testing for the USDA standards of honey related to color and moisture. The laboratory will also test for antibiotics, pesticides, amylase activity, microbiological levels and other tests to guarantee the quality of Groeb Farm’s honey to our valued customers.

As part of our commitment to be the Leader in honey testing within the industry, Groeb Farms, Inc. has also hired a new Lab Manager, to be located in the new Quality Laboratory in Florida.

Nicole Pratt, joins Groeb Farms, Inc.

Nicole has a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Kansas State University and a Master’s of Science degree from the University of Florida. Though her career recently had her conducting numerous trials related to hydroponic greenhouse production of vegetables, her career began at Kansas State University in the Department of Food Science, where food safety and quality were emphasized.

All food products for human consumption must be deemed safe. The Food and Drug Administration has brought great focus to the food industry in recent years and all components within the food chain must be held accountable for their product and participation.  Honey is no exception in the minds of those at Groeb Farms.

Nicole’s experience overseeing a major lab at the University of Florida, conducting experiments related to vegetable production and quality, ability to write and secure grant funding for projects, participation in national and international scientific conferences, being an invited guest lecturer, as well as publishing over 60 articles on various topics related to high-quality, sustainable vegetable production gives us the confidence that she will help bring Groeb Farms to an even greater level of satisfaction for our customers.

Please welcome Nicole as she joins the Groeb Farms, Inc. family as our new Quality Lab Manager.

Questions related to quality testing can be sent to Nicole Pratt - Laboratory Manager via email at: nicole@groebfarms.com