~~Tiny fruit has played big role in Pasco for years~~

PASCO COUNTY, FL  —-  It’s official!  Kumquat Pie is now the official pie of Pasco County!

The Pasco Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution at the February 8 board meeting declaring Kumquat Pie the official pie of Pasco.  The resolution comes after the Tourist Development Council for Experience Florida’s Sports Coast voted to make the pie the official pie of the destination.  Now, the citrus-like desert is the official pie of the county.

 “The kumquat has a rich history in Pasco County, and I’m thrilled to sponsor this resolution,” said Commissioner Mike Moore.  “Kumquat pie is an iconic dish in Pasco, and it’s only appropriate it’s now our official pie.”

The tiny fruit plays a big role in Pasco.   Kumquats first arrived in the county in the late 1800s and growing them quickly became both a hobby and business opportunity.  Today, Pasco is known for its annual Dade City Kumquat Festival – featuring Kumquat Pie – which attracts thousands of people from all over Florida and beyond.

“We couldn’t think of a better representation of our destination and Pasco County,” said Florida’s Sports Coast Tourism Director Adam Thomas.  “When people think of Pasco, we want them to also think of the kumquat.  This resolution a great way to do that.”

Read the full text of the Board of County Commissioners Kumquat Pie Resolution here: bit.ly/KumquatPie, and click HERE to see video of the Resolution Presentation.

Media kit with still and video content available here.

BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION NO. CAO22-5122

A RESOLUTION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PASCO

COUNTY, FLORIDA, DECLARING THE KUMQUAT PIE AS THE OFFICIAL PIE

OF PASCO COUNTY

WHEREAS, kumquats, a miniature citrus fruit, first arrived in Pasco County in the late 1800s; and

WHEREAS, since their arrival, growing kumquats has become both a hobby and commercial

activity that grew the town of St. Joseph into a leader in kumquat production; and

WHEREAS, St. Joseph’s rich and flavorful history in kumquat production laid the groundwork for

Dade City to become the host of Florida’s only Kumquat festival, the Dade City Kumquat Festival; and

WHEREAS, the Kumquat festival brings tens of thousands of visitors to Dade City every year to

experience our vibrant community while they enjoy a bounty of kumquat-based products; and

WHEREAS, for generations, the Gude family has played a role in the growth of Kumquat

production since they first settled in the St. Joseph community in 1883; and

WHEREAS, the Gude family are renowned for their hand in making Dade City “the kumquat capital

of the world”; and

WHEREAS, kumquat pie, an iconic dish that represents the history of the kumquat in Dade City,

was created by Rosemary Gude and is the most popular kumquat product served and sold at the annual Dade

City Kumquat Festival; and

WHEREAS, on January 26, 2022, the Pasco County Tourist Development Council voted to name

the kumquat pie as the official pie of Florida’s Sports Coast; and

WHEREAS, the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners voted to name the kumquat pie as

the official pie for Pasco County.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco

County, Florida, that said Board hereby declares the kumquat pie as the official pie of Pasco County.

DONE AND RESOLVED in regular session with a quorum present and voting this 8th day of

February 2022.