The Vineland Produce Auction opened for business on April 28, just one day later than last year’s opening, according to the auction’s Carol DeFoor, who noted that both volume and quality were starting on a strong note.

“We weren’t really concerned based on the weather over the winter. It wasn’t anything really to note in terms of Jersey Fresh veg,” Annie Pape of Frank Donio Inc. told The Produce News Wednesday, May 5. “But it has been a little bit warm now, which is kind of bringing the season on slightly earlier than it was last year, for the veg specifically.”

Ryan Flaim looks back on the past year with a mixture of relief and gratitude.

Dan Graiff Farms was already harvesting a number of New Jersey vegetables the first week in May and was anticipating good supplies going forward, according to the owner of the company.

After many months of hard work, Consalo Family Farms has opened a new cold storage and packing facility centrally located in Vineland, NJ.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has mostly kept to business as usual during this pandemic. 

“While there was an adjustment period which everyone experienced when the pandemic struck, we are largely working remotely, and our operations continue in force,” said NJ Secretary of Agriculture Doug Fisher. “Produce Safety inspections never ceased, assuring that consumers are getting top quality, safe food that has always been essential and expected.”

Overall, the produce business has been very robust in 2020 throughout the state.