CLAYTON, NJ (July 2, 2010) — Peach lovers rejoice! Those Garden State grown peaches are now in community farmers markets, farms and some grocery stores just in time for the July 4th parties. They usually don't get to market before mid- late-July, but the early heat in April and spring rains following provided perfect growing conditions.
The first New Jersey peaches were picked on June 20th (other popular early season white-fleshed are not yet quite ready for prime-time). “It has been a great growing season up to now,” says Santo John Maccherone, chair, New Jersey Peach Promotion Council and a peach farmer in Mullica Hill and Quinton. "This crop has excellent color, size and flavor. We are optimistic about this season.
And, just as there are differences in apple varieties, so there are in peach varieties–subtle, but distinct, once you get to recognize the differences. The first popular variety now being harvested is yellow-fleshed Sentry, followed by yellow-fleshed Garnet Beauty, Glen Glo, Summer Serenade, Rising Star and Flamin Fury PF 7.
“We grow over 100 different varieties of yellow and white-fleshed peaches and nectarines,” says Jerome L. Frecon, the fruit specialist at Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station in Gloucester County. “Even though varieties are frequently not identified in markets, the names are very important to growers and shippers to identify varieties with the best size, flavor and overall quality.”
Maccherone has just finished harvesting, and is very pleased the new variety Desiree® (NJ 350) developed at the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. According to Frecon, Desiree fulfills the search for a peach that will extend New Jersey's growing season on the front end, enabling state growers to better compete with the southern growers. (New Jersey is the fourth largest peach producer in the country, after California, South Carolina and Georgia; in a good year New Jersey sometimes comes in at third–not bad for a small northerly state). Other new varieties that can withstand cooler weather are extending the season into late fall–the end of September/sometimes October.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Statistics Service, New Jersey growers expect to harvest about 70,000,000 pounds of peaches this season. Many of these will show up in supermarkets, but increasingly they are being sold directly by growers on farm markets, roadside stands, community farmers markets and specialty stores.
August is officially "Jersey Fresh Peach Month." The "favorite fruit of summer" is being heralded at "Peach Parties" in community farmers markets, restaurants and grocery stores, beginning on July 21st. The community farmers market at Kean University-Union Township will hold a big festive season "Kick-Off Peach Party," with give-aways, baking contests and other "peachy" activities.
Source: New Jersey Peach Promotion Council