Aug 1, 2019

New Jersey ag secretary makes Jersey Fresh peach visit

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher on Aug. 1 highlighted National Peach Month with a visit to Circle M Farms in Mannington in Salem County. Fisher, along with state and local officials, toured the Circle M Farms orchard and packing house site to emphasize that locally grown peaches and other farm products are readily available now at farmers’ markets and stores around the state.

“We have the greatest tasting Jersey Fresh peaches and New Jersey is proud to be among the top leaders in the country in peach production,” Secretary Fisher said. “We are experiencing a bountiful harvest season of all varieties and we encourage consumers to visit their local supermarkets, on-farm stands and farmers markets where they are assured they are purchasing just-picked high-quality produce. It’s a credit to our farmers that New Jersey remains one of the leaders in the country in peach production.”

New Jersey was ranked No. 3 in the U.S. for value in 2018 according to data from the USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service. New Jersey peach growers harvested 41 million pounds of peaches on 4,100 acres for $46 million last year.

Circle M has approximately 120 acres of peaches in its orchard. The farm is owned and operated by New Jersey Peach Promotion Council President Santo Maccherone and his son John Maccherone. It has been in the family since 1942. Along with peaches, Circle M Farms grows nectarines and flat peaches which are offered in white and yellow flesh. New to the farm are red and yellow fleshed plums. The farm also sells peach cider and jam, peach barbeque sauce and salsa. Jarred peaches are available year-round.

“We are having another good harvest season with our peaches,” Santo Maccherone said. “We are pleased to play a role in making New Jersey one of the top peach producing states each year. Like so many other farmers throughout the state, we love what we do and plan to continue to grow peaches well into the future.”

The peach season for New Jersey lasts through the end of September. There are approximately 80 peach orchards in New Jersey with growers producing more than 100 different types of peaches.

Go to www.FindJerseyFresh.com to see where Jersey Fresh peaches are available locally and to find recipes that include Jersey Fresh peaches.

From left, New Jersey Department of Agriculture Marketing and Development Division Director Tom Beaver, Circle M Farms owner and operator Santo Maccherone, and NJDA Secretary Douglas Fisher holding peach salsa, peach cider and flat peaches from Circle M Farms.