The weather was quirky this summer, but it was good for locally grown Jersey Fresh peaches and nectarines.
The climate was so good, in fact, that growers have reaped a late crop of fresh, juicy, nutritious Jersey peaches, ripe for both picking and purchasing throughout September, according to the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council.
“Growers have advised the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council that midsummer’s cool days and sunshine have yielded a bumper crop of late fruit,” Santo Maccherone, council president said. “Weather conditions were good for ripening with high sugar content — the quality that makes peaches so sweet.”
Late-season peaches are abundant at community farmers’ markets, U-pick farms and farm stands. The council said New Jersey peaches would also remain available in supermarkets and specialty stores as supplies last.
Available retail outlets are posted on the website of the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council, www.jerseypeaches.com.
The website also offers information about various local community farms, farmers’ markets and farm stands that vend various produce and other farm products. For instance, the Millstone Farmers Market, Wagner Farm Park, Millstone, will vend on Saturdays through October. There is also information about Bullock Farms, 83 Emleys Hill Road, Cream Ridge; Cream Ridge Herb Farm, 38 Jonathan Holmes Road, Cream Ridge; Earth Friendly Organic Farm, 17 Olde Noah Hunt Road, Clarksburg; Fox Valley Farm, 286 Millstone Road, Perrineville; Holmes Brothers, 86 Jonathan Holmes Road, Cream Ridge; K & S Farms, 331, Route 539, Cream Ridge; See’ne Green, 492 Route 537, Clarksburg; Sunny Acres Pumpkin Patch, Burlington Path road, Cream Ridge; and Wright Way Farms, 116 Route 539, Allentown.
Remember that those farms and farm stands listed on the website aren’t the only ones locally vending New Jersey peaches and produce. Other local farm vendors include Mendies Farm, 65 N Rochdale Ave., Roosevelt; Produce Paradise, Assunpink Wildlife Management Area; and Krackerjacks, 824 Route 33 E, Monroe.
Information about storing, canning and freezing peaches, as well as recipes for different varieties is also available on the website.
Those with further questions about Jersey Fresh peaches should contact the Peach Promotion Council at info@jerseypeaches. com or at 973-744-6090.