Hammonton, NJ – The New Jersey blueberry harvest season has started for Naturipe grower, Atlantic Blueberry Company, with anticipation for another great season.
Established in 1935, Atlantic Blueberry Company, fully owned by the Galletta family, exemplifies what it means to be a local family farm, yet their efforts reach beyond the local communities. Art Galletta, president of the blueberry operation, works hand in hand with second, third and now fourth generation Galletta grandchildren too work the farm. “We were taught to always get along with each other and to work hard. With this, good things happen,” says Art.
Production and volume out of New Jersey looks to be similar to last year. “This year’s harvest will include primary varieties Duke, Blue Crop, Elliot and Draper, with a few test blocks of new varieties,” explains Art. “We’re looking forward to the peak of the harvest to be in early July.”
Art remarks, “There are many great things on the horizon, from improved varieties, improved machinery and product development. We focus on providing the consumer with the best possible experience we can.” The company recently upgraded their sorting equipment and refurbished coolers in order to be ready for another big season. “It’s a very exciting and challenging time for the trade, trying to make the right decisions that will help us through the next growth stage of the industry,” says Art.
Known as the blueberry state, the New Jersey soil is ideal for blueberries and the climate provides the right amount of dormancy. In fact, blueberries were first cultivated one hundred years ago on New Jersey soil. Blueberry pioneer, Elizabeth White, teamed up with the USDA to crossbreed bushes and create viable varieties that became the first commercial crop of blueberries in 1916. The Galletta family has too had a significant impact, not only in their local New Jersey region, but worldwide. The USDA honored Art’s father, Duke Galletta, by naming the “Duke” blueberry variety after him because of the cooperation and dedication he had towards the breeding program. Duke worked side by side with the USDA team to grow and evaluate test trials of many varieties that the USDA bred. Art says with pride, “We love growing New Jersey blueberries and continuing our family traditions by being good stewards of the land, growing a nutritious food that is beautiful and delicious and supporting our employee families and the community.”
Continuing to endorse its family of farmers and highlighting their growing areas, Naturipe is featuring a new locally grown package design. The label clearly highlights the state in which the berries are grown. While New Jersey represents a large summer supply of blueberries, Naturipe represents domestic growers from across North America including Michigan, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia during this season.
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Naturipe Farms LLC is a grower-owned producer and international marketer of healthy, best tasting, premium berries. With production primarily from multi generation family farms, located in the prime berry growing regions throughout North and South America. The diverse grower base ensures year-round availability of “locally grown” and “in-season global” conventional and organic berries. Naturipe Farms, formed in 2000, is a partnership between Naturipe Berry Growers, Hortifrut SA, MBG Marketing and Munger Farms. With sales and customer service offices located strategically throughout the USA – Salinas CA., Grand Junction MI., Estero FL., Boston MA., Wenatchee WA., Atlanta GA.
Source: Naturipe Farms LLC
