It may help the industry by spurring a little consumer demand and make people a little more aware of grapefruit. The university, though, does not expect to realize any money from the plate sales for at least a year, McBryde said. Rio Grande Valley citrus growers, who came up with the idea, still are trying to determine how to pay the deposit, said Bob Thornton, executive vice president of TexaSweet, a promotional organization for citrus growers. Thornton said the plates can benefit the citrus industry through promotion and through research generated by the graduate students who receive scholarships. Everywhere these vehicles travel, you're carrying a marketing tool to advertise Texas citrus.
Grapefruit is the state fruit of Texas.
The plate, which Thornton said has been approved by state officials, depicts a grapefruit half on a blue background. The fruit's core is a white state of Texas. Viesca said the earliest the citrus plates could be available is December. They would join the estimated 80 specialty plates already available for purchase, he said. The plates must be renewed annually.