NEW JERSEY PEACHES IN SEASON
Contact: Lynne Richmond 听
(609) 633-2954
lynne.richmond@ag.state.nj.us听
(TRENTON) 鈥� The New Jersey Department of Agriculture today reported that it is now New Jersey peach season and peaches can be found in supermarkets, roadside stands, farmers markets and pick-your鈥搊wn farms.
鈥淣ew Jersey peaches are healthy and delicious and available in abundance throughout the state,鈥� said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher.听 鈥淭hey are great on their own or used in baked goods and preserves.鈥�New Jersey is one of the nation鈥檚 top growers of peaches.听 In 2013, farmers grew 36.2 million pounds of peaches on 4,500 acres valued at $27.2 million.
To find Jersey Fresh peaches, search for farmers markets, pick-your-own farms and roadside markets on the Jersey Fresh website at .听 Also, check out Jersey Fresh peach recipes at .
The first peach variety of New Jersey鈥檚 season is the Sentry.听 The crop then moves into the Gala and Flavorcrest varieties and finishes with the Loring and Red Haven varieties followed by the John Boy season. New Jersey then moves into the Crest Haven variety season, which also includes the Gloria variety of peach, followed by Jersey Queen and Fayette varieties.听 The Encore and Laurol varieties will wrap up the season sometime in mid- to late-September, when the last of New Jersey鈥檚 peaches should be picked.听 White peaches are expected to begin shipping around the end of July and continue through mid-September.听听听
A half-cup sliced fresh peaches is just 30 calories and provides 10 percent of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C.听 Ripe peaches should be stored in the refrigerator in a plastic bag for up to 5 days.听 Rinse peaches in cool water and dry before eating.
