Produce Wholesalers/Suppliers in Central Fla.

[buffalokid54]

Any of you big riggers know of Produce Suppliers/Wholesalers in the Central Florida area.
I drive for a wholesaler up here in Western New York, but it's too damn cold.
We deliver to supermarket warehouses, stores, restaurants, school districts, etc in Class A, B & C trucks. Looking to relocate soon, before I get frostbitten..hahaha

[Windwalker]

I'm going to suggest that one of the very first things you do is look at the whole job market where you might like to move. Florida and California have had the highest unemployment in the whole country. And, the work in the fields and warehouses is done by... Well, they're Hispanic, anyway. Habla Espaniol? Moving into an area where many people have been moving out of because of the job market might suggest a great deal of thought and research into other locations as well. (I don't have to worry about it, I'm retired) But, you're suggesting leaving a job to compete in an area where job applications are already over-crowded.

[chris1]

Coosemans Miami and Tampa.

[Windwalker]

Driscoll's claims to ship the finest strawberries, and there are others around Plant City, in Florida.

[GMAN]

You may check with some of the major grocery chains, such as Publix. They have several warehouses around Florida. By the way, it has been below freezing in much of Florida this week. Brrrrr!!!!!!!

[Joey Shabadoo]

Any of you big riggers know of Produce Suppliers/Wholesalers in the Central Florida area.
I drive for a wholesaler up here in Western New York, but it's too damn cold.
We deliver to supermarket warehouses, stores, restaurants, school districts, etc in Class A, B & C trucks. Looking to relocate soon, before I get frostbitten..hahaha

Florida = cheap $$$$ trucking jobs.
A right-to-work (AKA: get-bent-over) state.
Lots of folks who don't speak English willing to work for pennies.

How much coin you making up there in Western New York?
Divide it in half and you'll get approx Florida wages.

Florida is a good place to retire.
Bad place to truck.

[GMAN]

I believe that Publix is union, at least in the warehouse. Wages are usually relative to the cost of living in a particular area. If I remember correctly, there is no sales tax in Florida on groceries. A right to work state doesn't necessarily mean that you won't be paid a decent wage. It can mean that you have greater opportunities for advancement and greater job security. It is more likely that a union company will close the doors and relocate than an open shop in a right to work state. I live in a right to work state and the cost of living is much less than most of the rust belt states with union wages. Property taxes and other taxes are much lower. We also don't have a state income tax.

[millersod215]

You've got outfits like Cheney Brothers, Sysco, and a few other major distributors like that. But as Mr. Shabadoo said earlier, I'd be interested in what you're making up there, I live in Tallahassee and Cheney has a terminal near my house that advertises fairly regularly for route drivers with a salary of around 45,000, I'm sure you do much better than that in New York. Take in to consideration as well if you were to not like a particular decent paying job, the likelihood of you finding someting else driving wise that pays well is slim to none, it is not rare that there is competition for a 10 or 11 dollar an hour driving job working 40 hours a week. Put some serious thought into relocating here, if you're looking to make a living driving a truck you might want to overexhaust yourself in some much needed research of the driving job market these days in Florida.

[GMAN]

Most state employment offices have internet access where you can access employment in various states, not only your own. I would think that you could also access it from your own computer. It might help you to at least see what might be available.

[Joey Shabadoo]

I live in a right to work state and the cost of living is much less than most of the rust belt states with union wages. Property taxes and other taxes are much lower. We also don't have a state income tax.

Do you think companies don't factor that stuff in to your wages?
Get a grip.
It all washes out in the end because the wages are much lower down South than up North.
Florida is crap for trucking...anybody with half a brain knows that.
Lots of freight going in...not much coming out.
Little produced there...plus a bad spot logistics-wise compared to other areas of the country like Texas.

It is more likely that a union company will close the doors and relocate than an open shop in a right to work state.

Don't kid yourself...the more likely option is that both union and non-union jobs get shipped to Mexico and/or China.
Don't think because you're non-union and right-to-work that it makes a difference.

[GMAN]

There are not as many opportunities in trucking in Florida as in some other areas of the country. But if you think that higher wages are not included in the cost of living you are kidding yourself. Higher wages mean that the cost of goods must go up to compensate. It is basic economics.

[Joey Shabadoo]

But if you think that higher wages are not included in the cost of living you are kidding yourself. Higher wages mean that the cost of goods must go up to compensate. It is basic economics.

I didn't say that.
Do yourself a favor and drop the steering wheel and RE-READ what I wrote.
When you get a clue, let me know...

[GMAN]

I read what you wrote, Joey. Wages are not that much different in most of the south than in the north when you factor in the cost of living. Of course, it depends on where you live. Atlanta is a much more expensive area to live than Macon. New York City is a much higher place to live than Rochester. Taxes, utilities and the general cost of living is generally higher in the north than the south. The high wages and taxes are a major factor so many northern businesses have relocated out of the region. It has more to do with being competitive in the market place. Companies can only pass along higher costs up to a point. When they can no longer be competitive they either relocate or go out of business.