100 Years Strong

Andrew Duda arrives in the United States from the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1909, joining fellow Slovak immigrants in Cleveland, Ohio.

Andrew helps found the Slovak Lutheran colony of Slavia, Florida, laying claim to 40 acres of land in 1912, and participates in establishing the congregation of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. That same year, his wife, Katarina, and their children, Anna, John, Andrew Jr., and Ferdinand, travel to the United States to join him.

Having saved enough money to purchase the 40 acres in Florida, the family returns to Slavia, now with three grown sons to help tend the farm. They plant celery on the farm because it was the predominant crop grown in the area.

In 1926, the partnership of A. Duda & Sons is established after they successfully produce and profitably sell their first crop of celery.

Now retired, in 1937, Andrew Duda, Sr. donates 40 acres of his personal land holdings and $90,000 for the Lutheran Haven to be established next to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church.

Under the leadership of Andrew’s sons, “The Three Seniors,” the company purchases additional land in Central, East Central, and South Florida, expanding farmland for vegetable production to Zellwood and Belle Glade, and adding pastureland for cattle in Cocoa.

In running the business, the Three Seniors are guided by the Bible verse “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

The company joins the nationwide effort to expand farm production to help feed our troops during World War II and becomes one of Central Florida’s premier celery growers, packaging its quality celery under the Dandy® brand label.

Andrew’s oldest son, John, the family’s mechanic and inventor, patents a mobile packinghouse dubbed a “mule train” to allow field packing. Similar field packing equipment is still used today.

The company is formally incorporated in 1953 as A. Duda & Sons, Inc., and a formal Board of Directors is established.

Founder Andrew Duda, Sr. passes away in 1956 at age 84.

Once third generation Duda family members start joining the business, the company begins exporting fresh produce like citrus internationally to Europe, Asia, and the Pacific Rim.

The company develops a patented process for canning and freezing diced celery and opens its Redi Foods division to serve institutional and food service buyers – becoming the nation’s primary supplier of canned celery.

DUDA begins to diversify its agricultural crops, adding sugarcane to its diversified product line, and purchases land for citrus production in LaBelle, Florida.

The Three Seniors begin transitioning leadership of the business to their sons. Edward D. Duda is elected as the first CEO of the Duda family’s third generation.

The company enters the sod production business with initial operations in Oviedo, Florida.

DUDA expands its vegetable production to the west with the establishment of Gene Jackson Farms in Salinas, California, extending the seasonal offerings of the company’s fresh vegetable products.

The master plan for Viera is announced. Ground is broken for the new town to be built on the company’s Cocoa Ranch. The Viera Company is established as a wholly owned subsidiary of DUDA to manage development of the Brevard County, Florida, community.

The Three Seniors are inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1989.

Western vegetable operations are expanded to include Oxnard, California.

DUDA acquires Valley Onions in McAllen, Texas, in 1982, to expand its farming acreage.

DUDA sells its Zellwood farm to the state of Florida as part of the state’s restoration plan for Lake Apopka. Western vegetable operations expand to Yuma, Arizona.

DUDA begins leasing land in Lake Placid, Florida, in 1996 to further expand its agriculture operations.

The Viera Company donates 56 acres for the new Brevard Zoo to be built in Viera. Construction of Viera’s first residential community, Hammock Lakes, begins. Viera earns an ENVY Award from the Florida Association of Realtors for balancing residential development with the natural environment. In 1998, an estimated 6,000 residents live in Viera.

The company adopts a new mission statement, defining the consolidated corporation as a diversified land company. Additional subsidiary companies and business units are created to manage the company’s diversified operations, including Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc., and Duda Ranches. The company also begins acquiring commercial properties to further diversify and strengthen its earnings, marking the start of DUDA’s commercial property portfolio.

The Duda Family Council is established to address governance issues that multi-generational family-owned businesses encounter and to provide philosophical insights to the company on behalf of the Duda family.

The Viera Company opens Duran Golf Club and 18-hole championship golf course in Viera. Viera High School opens. An estimated 18,000 residents live in Viera as of 2006. The community boasts 5,500 jobs, and 87 businesses call Viera home.

In 2006, DUDA launches a homebuilding business called Viera Builders, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Viera Company, that soon becomes a trusted name in design and construction.

Viera Wilderness Park is approved – preserving over 5,200 acres of undeveloped land to help ensure the long-term protection and enhancement of Viera’s natural resources.

Duda Farm Fresh Foods opens a newly constructed fresh-cut celery plant and Dandy® Cooling facility in Oxnard, California.

In 2000, DUDA’s Lake Placid operation hits its stride with sod farming, which ultimately becomes the only crop grown there.

Company leadership completes its transition to the fourth generation with David Duda becoming president and CEO in 2010.

“We multiply and share God’s blessings” is established as the company’s purpose statement.

DUDA redeploys its Belle Glade, Florida, sugar operations to expand its investment in commercial properties.

DUDA redeploys its Belle Glade, Florida, sugar operations to expand its investment in commercial properties.

Three members of DUDA’s third generation leadership – Edward, Ferdinand S., and Joseph Duda – are inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame.

DUDA is considered an essential business during the COVID-19 pandemic, continuing operations throughout the year and taking all necessary precautions to ensure worker safety.

Viera Pools & Outdoor Living is established in 2021.

Sammy Duda is elected CEO of DUDA in 2023.

Viera celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2024. As of December 31, 2024, the community is home to over 39,000 residents, more than 13,000 jobs, and over 1,000 businesses.

Viera celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2024. As of December 31, 2024, the community is home to over 39,000 residents, more than 13,000 jobs, and over 1,000 businesses.