POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Citrus growing has always played a huge part of our state’s history, especially for many of the mom and pop citrus groves that have developed and grown over the past century.

One family in particular in the quaint town of Dundee has been growing and producing citrus since the early 1900s. Now a new generation of the Davidson family is continuing to keep the traditions alive. 

In this week’s Florida on a Tankful, Spectrum News introduces you to Davidson of Dundee where we get a behind the scenes look at the machinery that was first manufactured back in the 1960s and is still being used today to craft and create the candies and marmalades that make this factory a must stop spot on your next road trip. 

“Yes, it’s 240 degrees and everything we do here is homemade and handmade,” candy maker Cindy Clark said as she carefully tipped a steaming sugary concoction from a classic copper kettle on to their working station. 

Their popular sugar candies were handmade by Clark and a host of others who love candy so much they’ve made it a full-time career. In fact, Clark has been at Davidson of Dundee since 2003.

“I pour chocolate gators, we do the crunches by hand and that’s what makes us so different we just do everything by hand,” she said.

Quitting a mundane office job nearly 20 years ago, she first started here at Davidson of Dundee as a candy puller with limited experience, but over the years she’s grown as a candy maker. She’s dabbled in a little bit of everything, moving over to the jelly and marmalade division where she currently works. 

“I’ve actually known the Davidson family for a long time and I just love my coworkers and I love my job and it’s candy you can’t go wrong with candy,” she said.

A big reason Clark and many of the tight-knit coworkers have stayed so long is because of the great working environment and the family who own this iconic spot:  the Davidsons. 

“Yeah, here are my parents on opening day at the ribbon cutting. Oh this was 1967,” Thomas Davidson, the current owner, said as he showed a picture of the factory’s opening day. 

Davidson is now the second generation in his family to own and run the factory. His mother and father, Lois and Glen Davidson, first opened their doors back in 1967. His father playing a huge role in the development of candy even before opening his store. He helped to create sweet tarts and giant jaw breakers. 

“Yes, check this out: This is honey bell marmalade it’s number two just right behind our number one seller orange marmalade,” Thomas said, as he showed a few products that have stayed on the shelves through the decades the shop has stayed open. 

It truly shows how the family never lost their way of keeping things old fashioned, still making everything by hand and keeping on workers like Clark who put love and a special touch into each candy and jam that rolls down the conveyer belt line. 

A family owned old Florida stop on your next road trip that will satisfy just about anyone’s sweet tooth and give you a glimpse into the way quality candy is still made to this day. 

Davidson of Dundee is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. They offer self guided window tours of their factory where you can watch the creation process of their popular jams and candies and they also offer free tastings of their products.