Phil Neary, director of operations and grower relations for Sunny Valley International, headquartered in Glassboro, NJ, told The Produce News at the end of June that the New Jersey peach crop enjoyed a great winter chill.

“We had outstanding bloom by about April 15, with a full crop set,” Mr. Neary said June 28. “Then we had a heavier-than-normal bloom drop which helped to thin the crop out perfectly. We’re expecting a great crop, and we are tracking for a start right after the July 4 holiday.”

The numbers tell the story. As a commodity group, fresh produce is the fifth largest agricultural sector in Colorado. “Produce represents 17 percent of total farm receipts for crops grown in Colorado,” said Tim Larsen, senior international marketing specialist with the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

Helen L. Aquino, marketing manager for Village Farms LP, headquartered in Eatontown, NJ, told The Produce News that the company is a North American-based firm that grows hydroponically in extremely resource-efficient, high-tech glass houses.

“We grow a number of tomato varieties including, tomatoes on-the-vine, beefsteaks, Romas, grapes, cherry and our signature cocktail tomato that we call ‘Sinfully Sweet Campari,’ “ said Ms. Aquino. “We also grow sweet bell peppers in red, yellow and orange, as well as seedless long English cucumbers and mini cucumbers.”

Double Diamond Acres Ltd. in Leamington, ON, was in the middle of its Ontario greenhouse production June 28, and things were running smoothly despite a slow start to the season, Chris Mastronardi, co-owner of the company, told The Produce News.

“We had some wet weather at the start of the season, but things are much better now,” he said. “Cloudy skies prevent the sunlight from coming into the greenhouses, which translates to a little less production. The greenhouse industry relies predominantly on natural light to help the plants grow.

This season, all aspects of growing and shipping Ontario produce are strong, according to Fred Koornneef, president of Toronto-based Koornneef Produce Ltd.

On June 28, he said that for the last three months, Ontario greenhouses have been shipping “full-bore.”

Ontario field crops, such as zucchini had “just begun.” Strawberries and cherries were to begin harvest by mid-July and apricots, nectarines, peaches, and a variety of plums were to be on the market by late July, according to Mr. Koornneef.

Mr. DiMenna is gearing up to step into the role of chairman of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association for 2012 and 2013.