Sun Valley Orchards Receives Patrick Mullen Jersey Fresh Quality Grading Award

Sun Valley Orchards and the Marino Family were awarded the Patrick Mullen Jersey Fresh Quality Grading Award on February 6 at the New Jersey State Agricultural Convention in Atlantic City.  Mullen was the Director of the NJ Department of Agriculture’s Division of Marketing and Development and developed the Jersey Fresh Quality Grading Program, which inspects produce to ensure it is of the highest quality.  Each year, Jersey Fresh Quality Grading Program inspectors recognize a farm that works hard to supply top quality produce.  Sun Valley Orchards in Swedesboro was founded in the early 1970’s and has grown into one of the largest fruit and vegetable growers, packers and shippers in NJ.  The 1,200-acre farm is operated by Russell Marino and his sons, Russell Jr. and Joseph and their families.

Photo, Left to Right:  Al Murray, NJ Asst. Secretary of Agriculture; Jersey Fresh inspector: Mike Martinelli; Larry Hardwick, NJDA Chief of the Bureau of Commodity Inspection and Grading; Jersey Fresh inspectors Joe Montresor and Ralph Maresco; Joseph and Russell Marino.

Source: New Jersey Department of Agriculture