Mar 21, 2019

New Jersey peach council elects new directors

New Jersey Peach Promotion Council welcomes three new board members, Erica Shiles, Bonnie Lundblad and Matt Duffield.

Shiles is a fourth-generation family farmer on F & R Grasso, in Sewell, purchased in 1953. The farm harvests several peach varieties throughout the season including white and yellow peaches, white and yellow donut peaches and nectarines, selling them retail at their farm markets. “Our most popular are donut peaches, Shiles said. “They are only in season for a few weeks in August, but customers rave about their delicious sweet taste and unique shape.” (grassogirlsfarmmarket.com)

Duffield is also a fourth-generation peach grower on the Duffield Family Farm, in Sewell, started by his great grandfather in the 1940’s. The family harvests yellow and white peaches and nectarines throughout the season, from mid/late June through September, selling at their retail farm market (www.duffieldsfarm.com)

 Lundblad brings retail expertise to the Peach Promotion Council. She has a degree in advertising and communications and 20 years sales experience in the produce industry.  She currently is a sales representative for Sunny Valley International, in Glassboro, a premier packer and distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables since 1986 (www.sunnyint.com).

“We are delighted to have these three young-generation members on our board,” said Santo John Maccherone, chair of the Peach Council. “They bring fresh perspectives and ideas for promoting our locally grown peaches.”

For further information, email the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council information office, [email protected]; or visit the website www.jerseypeaches.com Find jersey peaches on facebook.com/newjerseypeaches. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Peaches.

The New Jersey Peach Promotion Council is a non-profit voluntary organization of growers, shippers, wholesalers and associated industries dedicated to maintaining a viable peach industry in the Garden State for the purpose of preserving farmers and farmland; and to providing the highest quality and best tasting fresh peaches for consumers. New Jersey is the fourth largest peach producing state in the country, with approximately 75 orchards on 5,000 acres, producing 22,000-2,5000 tons, valued at approximately $30-million. 

Photo at top: Matt Duffield