New Jersey is giving away free peaches at the beaches

Today is 'National Eat A Peach Day' and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture is celebrating by giving out free peaches.

New Jersey is one of the top producers of peaches in the United States, according to the USDA.

The crop generated nearly $19 million in value for the state of New Jersey and our agriculture industry in 2022.

Farmers harvested 18-million pounds of peaches on 3,600 acres last year.

Last years the crop overall was about 30 to 40 percent off from being what is referred to as a full crop.

This year, however, it's been a much better year.

Tom Beaver, Director of Sales and Marketing at Sunny Valley International and The Jersey Fruit Cooperative says this year has been fantastic.

"This year, we’re in the very unique and fortunate position of having a full crop, and I say unique and fortunate because sadly, southeastern peach growers experienced some significant cold weather in South Carolina and Georgia that virtually wiped out their crops," Beaver said.

New Jersey is now in a position where it did not have that same outcome. The state had perfect weather throughout the winter, and so far, the weather has been very cooperative throughout the spring and early summer.

"We have an abundant supply of peaches and I think very strong demand since we’re going to be the primary shippers on the Eastern seaboard," Beaver said.

Despite high demand for delicious Jersey Fresh peaches there will still be ample supply at your local farms and farm markets.

To celebrate the harvest, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture will be distributing free peaches at three locations today.

"Peaches are one of the staples of the Jersey Fresh season and we have a robust crop this year,” NJDA Assistant Secretary Joe Atchison III said. “We look forward to distributing this great tasting fruit to those on the boardwalks where we will be located.”

The peaches will be available beginning at 1 p.m. and until supplies last at the following locations:

🍑 At the end of East Schellenger Avenue at the boardwalk near Morey’s Piers in Wildwood

🍑 At the end of New York Avenue in Atlantic City

🍑 Near the end of Grant Avenue in Seaside Heights.

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