Start your day with new Florida Gator Frosted Flakes

As the University of Florida Gators football and basketball teams prepare for national title defenses, the state’s dairy farmers are pouring it on — cereal, that is.

Beginning Friday, limited-edition 15-ounce boxes of Florida Gators Frosted Flakes will be available at 392 participating Publix Super Markets in Florida; stores in other southern states aren’t likely to carry this item.

More than 14,000 boxes from a first batch of 25,000 boxes will hit the shelves Friday. More than 10 percent of that total — about 2,800 boxes — will be available at seven Publix stores in Ocala, Belleview and The Villages.

Depending on sales, a second run may be considered.

This is the fourth time Florida's dairy farmers, Publix and other corporate sponsors are breaking out the Gators cereal, but it’s definitely a first to celebrate national titles in football AND basketball at the same time.

The front features basketball coach Billy Donovan and football coach Urban Meyer posing with the crystal trophies in their sports. The inaugural box three years ago featured Albert the Gator.

On the back, there is a chance to win a football and basketball autographed by each coach. Also, there’s a chance to win annual passes for four to Gatorland in Orlando.

Further, the back provides trivia such as: “In an average day, the football team consumes more than four gallons of milk on their cereal alone” and “Dairy cows also have a balanced diet to produce great tasting, quality milk. Cows eat grass, chopped corn, hay, citrus pulp and cottonseed.” Yumm!

“We’re always looking for creative ways to get people to drink milk, and there’s nothing more natural than milk on cereal,” says Scott Wallin, a spokesman for Dairy Farmers Inc., Florida’s milk promotion group.

“The dairy farmers long have been a supporter of the University of Florida,” he adds. “This is a perfect vehicle to deliver information about our industry.”