HILLSDALE, NJ — After New Jersey and most areas of the eastern United States suffered through the long, cold winter of 2013-14, the Eastern Produce Council's May 20 dinner meeting took place under clear blue skies and delightfully warm temperatures — hopefully a harbinger of a strong and successful 2014 season for growers, shippers and distributors handling fresh produce throughout the Garden State.EPC President Paul Kneeland; Al Murray, New Jersey's assistant secretary of agriculture; New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher; and John McAleavey, executive director of EPC.

As always, a large crowd gathered at Demarest Farm, here, which for many years has hosted the dinner meeting sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and often called the Jersey Fresh cookout, as it is the only EPC dinner meeting held outdoors. This was the 27th consecutive year that Jersey Fresh has sponsored an EPC meeting, EPC President Paul Kneeland of Kings Food Markets told attendees in his welcoming remarks.

Kneeland called the Jersey Fresh promotional program "the most successful program of its kind in the nation" and warmly introduced "the person who started the program": Arthur R. Brown Jr., who served as New Jersey's secretary of agriculture from 1982 to 2002. Kneeland also acknowledged the many farmers and growers from the southern part of the state who were also in attendance.

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher led the state's delegation at the meeting, and said, "We're thrilled to be here." He noted that his department would be helping to spread the word about New Jersey crops in a variety of ways, such as advertising in trade publications, television and radio as well as participation in industry conventions and conferences.

Fisher then introduced three representatives from different sectors of New Jersey agriculture to give brief crop updates to the audience.

Joe Maugeri, president of the Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey, said that asparagus, one of the state's very popular springtime items, "was well under way." After the long, cold winter and a cool spring, "We need a little warm weather," he said. "That would really help."

While he noted that "everything is late," he stated with confidence that "everything looks good" at this point in time and that "quality is going to be excellent."

Lewis DeEugenio of the Jersey Fruit Cooperative gave the peach update, declaring, "The good news is, we're looking at a full, wonderful crop." While he, too, acknowledged that the crop looks to be "about a week late," he said that with some good weather ahead, "we should have large fruit."

With the crop expected to run a little later than normal this year, he urged retailers and other distributors to "stay with us through September" as "the crop in the fall should be very good."

Bonnie Lundblad of Sunny Valley International gave the blueberry report. She noted the harsh winter but stated, "There were no problems with blueberries."

As to the timing, "We're just a little behind schedule," she said. She expected blueberries to start this season around June 18, with "good volume" by around June 23. So with a full crop expected, she said that retailers could expect plenty of product for the important Fourth of July promotions.

Blueberries should be available "at least through the third week in July and possible the end of the month," she added.