A.R. Updike, Sr.

Highlights

In South Carolina, Updike managed the Federal Land Bank of Columbia, where he made loans to Florida citrus growers. Updike used his financial expertise to convince the Equitable Insurance Company to begin selling mortgage insurance to citrus growers at a time when they were only involved with the cotton and tobacco industries. Updike is primarily remembered for his involvement in the negotiation between the Florida Orange Marketers and the Minute Maid Corporation.

Lake Placid Packinghouse

Equitable Insurance Company

Florida Orange Marketers

Minute Maid Corporation

Alcoma Packing Company

Bio

A.R. Updike, Sr. was born in Lavonia, Indiana, in 1896. He moved to Zolfo Springs in 1922 hoping to enter the real estate business. Updike then moved to South Carolina to manage the Federal Land Bank of Columbia, where he made loans to Florida citrus growers. Updike later returned to Florida, where he leased a Lake Placid packinghouse and began his career with the citrus industry. Updike used his financial expertise to convince the Equitable Insurance Company to begin selling mortgage insurance to citrus growers at a time when they were only involved with the cotton and tobacco industries.

Updike is primarily remembered for his involvement in the negotiation between the Florida Orange Marketers and the Minute Maid Corporation. This negotiation secured a dollar per box value on citrus to be delivered to the Minute Maid plant in Dunedin. This agreement helped secure a steady source of income for Florida growers. Updike also went on to purchase the Alcoma Packing Company.