Clayton, NJ — The New Jersey Peach Promotion Council (PPC) awarded a first-prize check for $500 to Mike Oliver, produce manager, Pennington Quality Market, Pennington, NJ for his Jersey-Fresh Peach display. The display contest was a first for the PPC, designed to get stores involved in marketing locally grown New Jersey peaches.
According to PPC chair, Santo John Maccherone, Pennington Market's Jersey-Fresh peach display conformed to the council's mission to raise industry and public awareness of the more than 100 varieties of peaches and nectarines grown in 90 orchards throughout the state.
"In his congratulatory letter, Maccherone stated, "Your exhibit was lovely to look at and obviously carefully executed…just what the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council hoped for in launching our Grocery Store Display Contest. We are proud to award you our First Prize. And, we hope you will continue to promote our locally grown peaches. Your efforts will ensure that our peach industry survives and thrives in New Jersey."
Launched in May, 2011 with the mailing of the PPC's "Buyers Guide" to grocery stores, shippers and brokers, the display contest was designed to involve the food industry in the New Jersey/New York/Pennsylvania region with raising the public profile of "summer's favorite fruit" locally grown, shipped to markets within 24 hours of picking, and available from early/mid-July through mid-September. August is officially celebrated as "Jersey Fresh Peach Month."
Oliver ran his peach display from the first week in August through Labor Day weekend. He made his own Jersey-Fresh sign and displayed peach box labels from Jersey growers. He also put Peach Promotion Council brochures, with recipes, on an adjacent table.
"We had an excellent Jersey peach season," said Oliver, who has worked for Pennington Quality Market since 1988. "Customer demand and selling ran through mid/late-September and we sold all we could get. Pennington Quality Market's owner, Mike Rothwell, encourages us to be as creative as we can in setting up displays and entering contests."
The Rothwell philosophy has paid off over the 30 years the family has owned the independent market. "We encourage our staff to interact with customers, providing what they want," said Rothwell. "Demand for Jersey-grown produce continues to increase, and we always support our local farmers."
New Jersey is the fourth largest peach grower in the country. Local peaches come from 90 orchards in 100 different varieties–yellow, white, donut (flat, round) and nectarines.
For further information, visit the website www.jerseypeaches.com or contact the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council information office, 856-307-6450 X1; info@jerseypeaches.com
Source: New Jersey Peach Promotion Council