Plus, more state funding coming to Polk.
 
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6AM City In-house

Today’s Forecast

92º | 20% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:31 a.m. | Sunset 8:26 p.m.
 

🛒 Stock up on Lakeland-made goods

Made in Lakeland: Products manufactured in Swan City
A green Publix shopping basket filled with Florida's Natural orange juice, a loaf of Pepperidge Farm Swirl bread, and Goldfish crackers.
You can shop local right from your favorite grocery store. | Photo by LALtoday
We’d like to officially propose a new slogan for Lakeland: “Yes, we make that here.” Why? Because from lottery tickets to fragrances to orange juice, the Lakeland area has plenty of locally manufactured and distributed products, including some that you may use in your own home.

When you walk the grocery store aisles, you may be adding items to your cart that were made just miles away. Take Publix, for example. Lakeland is home to its dairy processing plant, fresh kitchen, and bakery — all of which manufacture various Publix-brand products you know and love. Sprinkle cookies and ice cream, anyone?

On another aisle, you may find bread and snacks by Pepperidge Farm, which manufactures treats like Goldfish crackers and Swirl bread at its Lakeland facility. We also hear it has a store open to the public on Saturdays at 2222 Interstate Dr.

A shelf in a grocery store cooler stocked with cartons and bottles of orange juice, focused on Florida's Natural brand juices.

Florida’s Natural is an agricultural co-op that was founded in 1933.

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Photo by LALtoday

Thirsty? Stock up on Florida’s Natural juices. The co-op’s plant is based in Lake Wales and has been supplying the state with fresh OJ and more for more than 90 years. Pro tip: Visit the Grove House near the plant from October to May to learn about the company’s nearly century-long history.

Refresco, another big name in beverage bottling, also has a local presence. Its Lakeland facility supplies some of the 40 million liters of drinks the company produces worldwide on a daily basis. You might find their products in coolers in the checkout line.

Renderings of what the Citrus Innovation Center at Florida Polytechnic University will look like

The Citrus Innovation Center opened earlier this year.

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Rendering provided by Ryan Companies US, Inc.

Picking up cleaning products or a new candle? The essences that give them their signature scents could be made locally by companies like Treatt or Firmenich.

Thanks to its history in citrus production, Lakeland is a hotspot for the essence + flavor industry. Not to mention, International Flavors & Fragrances recently opened its Citrus Innovation Center at Florida Polytechnic University, which could mean even more citrus-flavored goods on the shelves.
More local manufacturers
Asked

How important is it to you to purchase products that are made locally?
A. It is very important to me
B. It is somewhat important to me
C. I am indifferent
D. It is somewhat less important to me
E. It is not important to me
Answer to make our day
 
Events
Monday, June 17
  • Stand Up to Cancer | Monday, June 17 | 5-8 p.m. | The Well, 114 E. Parker St., Lakeland | Free | Visit this pop-up to learn from hairstylists + nutritionists, find support organizations, and select free wigs.
Tuesday, June 18
Wednesday, June 19
  • Silent Book Club | Wednesday, June 19 | 5-6 p.m. | Pressed, 213 E. Bay St., Lakeland | Free | Bring your latest page turner for an hour of silent reading time.
Thursday, June 20
  • Girls Night Out | Thursday, June 20 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Price of purchase | Pick up a Shopping Passport and sip cocktails while you browse downtown stores — VIP options available.
Friday, June 21
  • Laugh All Day | Friday, June 21 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Brookdale Highlands Senior Living, 4250 Lakeland Highlands Rd., Lakeland | $10-$20 | Raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association with a day full of comedy performances.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Wellness

🧠 Professional therapy, completely online
Laptop screen showing female, 30-something patient video chatting with her similarly-aged female therapist via BetterHelp.
Picture this: Professional therapy, done from the comfort of your home. | Image by BetterHelp
Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness — and BetterHelp makes starting therapy easy.

Whether you’re dealing with grief, work burnout, relationship problems, or you’re just feeling down, therapy is for you. Online therapy in the comfort of your own home? Even better.

Speaking of better, BetterHelp can custom-match you with one of their 30,000+ licensed therapists in as little as 24 hours. (No more waiting days, weeks, or even months to see someone.)
Get 25% off (exclusive to our readers)
News Notes
Travel
  • Avelo Airlines took its first flights from Lakeland to New Haven, CT last week, but it could add more destinations as early as this year. Future flights are still TBD, but an Avelo rep mentioned that Michigan cities Kalamazoo and Lansing could be possibilities. (WFLA)
Development
  • Florida Polytechnic University secured $5.7 million in state funding to design a Student Achievement Center. The facility will include an auditorium, study centers, and space for career + internship services.
Closed
Number
  • $116 million. That’s how much the state has budgeted to purchase and upgrade more than half of Auburndale’s Midpoint Florida Logistics Center. If purchased, the warehouse would be retrofitted and used as an emergency response staging area. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Community
  • Applications are open for PCPS’ District Advisory Council, which advises the superintendent. Community members from all walks of life are invited to apply by Tuesday, June 25, including parents, business owners, and faith leaders.
Award
  • Do you know inspirational women leaders in the Lakeland community? Nominate them for the ATHENA Awards by Monday, June 24. The awards ceremony, happening Tuesday, Sept. 10, will feature keynote speaker Vera Jones, “The Empathy Coach.”
Biz
  • Legoland Florida has a new park president. Franceen Gonzales, who has more than 30 years of experience in the theme park industry, will oversee operations at Legoland’s parks, hotels, and water park. This calls for a Summer Brick Party, if you ask us. (The Ledger)
Edu
  • More Polk State students could get study abroad opportunities after the school received a grant from the US Department of State’s IDEAS Program. The program aims to expand study abroad programs across the nation, and Polk State was one of 37 schools to receive funding.
Read
  • Bartow author Jeff Foley’s latest book is “Healed on the Inside: The Power of God’s Love, a Family’s Battle with Cancer, and a Will to Live.” The book, based on Foley’s own experience beating cancer, aims to encourage readers going through similar hardships. (The Ledger)
Answered
  • Last week, we asked you which summer camp-style badge you would most want to earn with Lakeland classes — 52% of you chose arts + crafts, the most popular answer. Pro tip: You can filter the library’s events calendar to find free art events for all ages.
Home
Finance
  • Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*
6AM City Drink Up Campaign
 
Eat

🌙 Grab a bite late at night

Where to grab a late-night bite in Lakeland
Stay late after Monday night trivia with a basket of fries. | Photo by @cob_and_pen
Picture this: You finish a double-header at the Silvermoon Drive-In and late-night cravings kick in. While most of Lakeland shuts its doors by 10 p.m., there are still several options for night owls with the midnight munchies.

Cob & Pen, 1221 S. Florida Ave. | Open Sunday-Thursday until 11 p.m., Friday-Saturday until 12 a.m.
Satisfy your cravings with crispy Ultimate Fries and your choice of dipping sauces.

Salem’s Fresh Eats, 101 E. Memorial Blvd. | Open Sunday-Saturday until 4 a.m.
Out really late? Drive through this fast food go-to for a gyro or Philly cheesesteak.

Vasco Sixty-One, 215 E. Main St. | Open Monday-Saturday until 1 a.m., Sunday until 12 a.m.
Enjoy tapas + cocktails under the stars at Lakeland’s latest rooftop bar.
5 more late-night spots
The Buy

The Buy 6.17.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
These best-selling men’s swim trunks — they’re lined, quick drying, and come in any fun pattern you can dream up (we like the little sharks).
 
The Wrap
 
Connor Jacobson

Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
This week it will actually be summer, even though my car has told me it’s 100° every time I’ve buckled up recently. The first official day of the season is this Thursday, June 20 — don’t miss the Midsummer events coming up at Bonnet Springs Park and the Polk Museum of Art.
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