Clayton, NJ — New Jersey's particular climate, soil, sun and rain make just -right conditions for summer's favorite fruit to be about the best there is, putting New Jersey fourth in the country's peach production with a wholesale value of more than $36-million, according to the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council, the state's organization dedicated to promoting and marketing peaches. This year's crop holds the potential to be as good or better than last year's and, like most other Jersey crops, are ripening earlier and most likely will be available by the end of June. The fruit is already being picked in South Jersey orchards.
"Peaches have been cultivated here since the 1600s," says Santo John Maccherone, grower and chair of the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council. "Many of our 92 growers have a long history of growing and marketing the very finest peaches and nectarines."
Customers seem to agree. According to supermarket produce buyers, their customers begin demanding "Jersey-grown" peaches in early July, often before the fruit comes in and purchase all the stores have available. Many supermarkets throughout the New Jersey metro area (including NY & PA) do special peach events, with tastings and peach baked goods.
New Jersey growers produce 100 different varieties of the fruit on 5,500 acres and packing 68-million pounds (2,720,,000 ½-bushel boxes) during the season, generally July through mid-September. The 2011 crop value was $36.6-million (wholesale) and included yellow and white-fleshed peaches, flat (or doughnut) peaches and nectarines. Packing houses, located in south Jersey, have hydro-cooling and storage facilities, and offer both standard 1/2-bushel boxes and specialty packaging. Most importantly, they pack and ship locally grown peaches from trees to stores in one-to-three days (depending on store location), thus preserving the fruit's sugars and nutritional value.
Nutritionally, a peach packs a wallop in just 35 calories (a medium peach, about 2 1/2 inch diameter). It's low in calories, high in fiber — 2.6 grams. It's also rich in antioxidants, such as Vitamins A & C, important to maintain good health and skin. A peach is one of the tastiest high-potassium foods, providing 333 mg of potassium. According to health-related websites, potassium deficiencies can cause muscular weakness, fatigue, anxiety, acne and other problems.
Peaches and plums also may help fight breast cancer. According to research scientists Dr. Luis Cisneros-Zevallos and Dr. David Byrne from AgriLife Research at Texas A&M, extracts found in commercial varieties of peaches and plums have been shown to kill breast cancer cells while not harming normal cells. The AgriLife research scientists identified two phenolic compounds within peaches and plums that are responsible for killing the cancer cells. Phenols are organic compounds that occur in fruits and may affect traits such as aroma, taste or color. Stone fruits such as peaches and plums have especially high levels of phenols.
The Peach Promotion Council produces a Peach Buyers Guide that lists growers, packers and shippers, and describes the extra effort purveyors take to ensure quality and proper handling of quality “Jersey Fresh peaches.” The 2012 Peach Buyers Guide is available on request to the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council, by phone, email or through the website www.jerseypeaches.com
For further information and Buyers Guides, contact the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council information office, 856-307-6450 X1; info@jerseypeaches.com; or visit the website www.jerseypeaches.com and find jersey peaches on facebook.
Source: The New Jersey Peach Promotion Council
