St. Johns County, Fla. – Known affectionately as the “Potato Capital of Florida,” Hastings, nestled within St. Johns County, is preparing for an extraordinary moment in the national spotlight. This Sunday, the rich agricultural tapestry of this Northeast Florida community will be showcased during the Super Bowl, promising to introduce millions to the dedicated farmers of St. Johns County.
Five-year-old DeLee Parker, a budding farmer from a multi-generational St. Johns County family, is set to become the face of Lay’s Potato Chips in a heartwarming Super Bowl commercial. Airing during the game’s highly anticipated 3rd quarter on Sunday, February 9th, the commercial, titled “The Little Farmer,” is a tribute from Frito-Lay to the real people behind their iconic snack. The tagline, “Lay’s are made from real potatoes, and our potatoes come from real farmers,” underscores the authentic connection between the land, the farmers of St. Johns County, and the food consumers enjoy nationwide.
The 60-second advertisement culminates with an endearing image of DeLee Parker holding two freshly harvested potatoes from Parker Produce, her family farm located in Elkton, St. Johns County. This poignant image seamlessly transitions into a photo collage celebrating four generations of Parker family farmers: DeLee, her father Jeffrey, her grandfather Jeff, and his cousin Scott. This visual narrative powerfully illustrates the deep-rooted farming heritage within St. Johns County and the Parker family’s enduring commitment to agriculture.
“Our family is incredibly grateful and honored to have been selected by Frito-Lay for this national commercial,” shared Jeffrey Parker. “Our farm has proudly supplied them with quality potatoes since 1964. With our family’s farming history in St. Johns County dating back to 1937, we are deeply proud to be 4th generation farmers, and we are thrilled to see DeLee continuing this cherished tradition.”
Adding to the celebration of St. Johns County’s agricultural community, the commercial’s concluding collage also features two other esteemed local farming families. Wesley Smith of Smith Farms and Steve Singleton, alongside his wife April and their three sons, of Singleton and Sons Farms, represent the broader network of dedicated farmers contributing to the region’s agricultural success and reinforcing St. Johns County’s reputation as a vital agricultural hub.
The immense reach of the Super Bowl, which drew over 123 million viewers last year according to the NFL, provides an unparalleled platform to elevate awareness of St. Johns County’s agricultural significance.
Krista Joseph, Chair of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners (BCC), recently emphasized the county’s commitment to supporting its agricultural sector. Her recent visits with local farmers to discuss the formation of a new Agriculture Advisory Board for the BCC highlights the proactive steps being taken to strengthen and promote farming within the county.
“For generations, the hardworking farmers of St. Johns County have cultivated agriculture in our region, and this upcoming Super Bowl commercial will shine a global spotlight on their responsible and vital work,” stated Chair Joseph. “These dedicated individuals are not just feeding Florida, but contributing to the food supply for the entire nation, all from right here in St. Johns County, Florida!”
Further underscoring the commitment to sustainable and responsible farming practices in the region, Parker Produce has been recognized by the Florida Farm Bureau’s County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) program. This initiative champions agriculture’s crucial role in safeguarding Florida’s natural resources and acknowledges farmers and ranchers who voluntarily implement practices that conserve water quality, protect wildlife habitats, and preserve the land for future generations. This recognition further solidifies St. Johns County’s position as not only a productive agricultural area but also one dedicated to environmental stewardship.
