Green Light Given For Sale Of East Coast Brokers & Packers’ Assets

[updated July 29 for court-approved dates, adjustments to asset allocation, and ag equipment details]

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The U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division has approved the upcoming auctions of thousands of acres of farmland in Florida and Virginia, beginning Thursday, Aug. 15. Assets to be sold will include labor camps, packing facilities, homes, farm equipment, trucks and other assets owned by Plant City-based East Coast Brokers & Packers, the Madonia family, and their affiliates.  

In March, under the weight of massive debt, the longtime tomato grower/shipper filed for bankruptcy protection.

“Logistics dictated that some dates be changed from those previously planned in order to facilitate bidding on various types and locations of properties,” said Ken Nofziger, president of Murray Wise Associates LLC, which will conduct the auctions in cooperation with Crosby & Associates and Woltz & Associates.

Auctions are planned for the following dates:

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  • Thursday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m.: Approximately 7,377 acres of Florida farm and development land in Martin, Hillsborough, Polk, and Manatee counties; two packinghouses, a former Bible college, and several labor camps.
  • Friday, Aug. 16, 3 p.m.: The Red Rose Hotel in Plant City, FL, along with a home in Lakeland, home sites on Walden Lake in Plant City, and other Florida assets.
  • Monday, Aug. 19, 5 p.m.: Cape Charles, VA-area properties, including two luxury homes in Bay Creek, plantation-style home, colonial style house just south of Painter, home just west of Oyster. Also set for auction is a home surrounded by water on Marsh Island just outside of Chincoteague.
  • Tuesday, Aug. 20, 1 p.m.: 31 properties totaling approximately 3,228 acres; produce packinghouses; labor camps, and several homes in Accomack and Northampton counties in Virginia.
  • Friday, Aug. 28, 9 a.m.: Live and online auction of agricultural equipment, Mulberry, FL
  • Sept. 4: Live and online auction of agricultural equipment, Virginia.

“The East Coast Brokers & Packers operations were very extensive, so the inventory to be sold is quite large, including virtually every type of equipment necessary to the business of growing and handling tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, and other produce crops,” said Tim Weeks, vice president of Ocala, FL-based Weeks Auction Co. “We will be selling more than 140 tractors as well as disks, power units, sprayers, mowers, plows, and smaller items such as shop tools, dollies, and even ladders.”

All of the items will be available for inspection at the two sites where the live auctions will be held. Virginia assets will be available for inspection at the Byrd Packing Plant, 20305 Greenbush Road, Greenbush, VA, with inspections scheduled for Sept. 2, 3 and 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Florida-based assets will be at the Mulberry Packing Plant, 5050 E. State Road 60, Plant City, with inspections scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 26, 27 and 28.

A complete list of assets is available at Weeksauction.com beginning Monday, July 29. Individuals seeking additional information — including detailed descriptions may call 352-351-4951 or 352-804-3981.

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