A changing landscape in the New Jersey produce deal has brought both positives and negatives for the Flaim family, a grower-shipper of New Jersey fruits and vegetables based in Vineland, NJ.

“It seems like more of the smaller farms are closing each year, at least here in New Jersey,” said Ryan Flaim. “Mostly, it’s the older generation retiring and not being replaced by a new generation.”

On the upside, that means more business for those grower-shippers still in the deal.

Bill Nardelli, president of Nardelli Brothers Inc. in Cedarville, NJ, told The Produce News earlier in May that the firm was shipping its full line of New Jersey mixed greens.

“All the wet crops, including beets, leeks, parsleys, cilantro, lettuces and other leafy greens have been shipping since early April,” Mr. Nardelli said May 10. “The weather was a little cool and wet early on, but the quality of all the crops is very good, and we’re getting strong interest on the wet items. These products will run into July.”

“This season is off to a great start with excellent quality and a good market with strong demand,” Michael D’Ottavio, president of M. D’Ottavio Produce Inc. in Vineland, NJ, told The Produce News May 11. “Freight rates from out west are so high that it leaves more room for eastern growers to market their product. If quality and demand stays this strong. we should have a fantastic season in Jersey.”

The slow start for Northwest cherries has Rainier Fruit Co. in Selah, WA, expecting light volume for its initial harvest, but Marketing Director Suzanne Wolter said in mid-May that the company “will have good volume before July 4.”

Ms. Wolter said first loads will likely go out around June 13.

“We’re looking at this as 12 days later than normal, whatever ‘normal’ is,” she said.

Noting that California has also come into its cherry season later than it generally does, Ms. Wolter said the overlap should not be a problem.

Though the Northwest cherry harvest is getting off to a later start in 2011 due to weather events earlier in the season, Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers in Wenatchee, WA, nonetheless expects an increase in volume this year.

“Right now we’re seeing things getting off to a somewhat late start,” said Dan Wohlford, national sales representative for Oneonta, in mid-May.

Mr. Wohlford added, “It will be a struggle to get any kind of volume loading for the Independence Day holiday.”

Loren Queen, marketing and communications manager for Domex Superfresh Growers in Yakima, WA, chose his words carefully when describing growing conditions for the 2011 cherry crop. “Cold. Windy. And late,” he told The Produce News May 12. “But today is a gorgeous day.” He quickly followed up the description by adding that the bees have done their job. “There are piles of blooms out there [in the cherry orchards],” he observed.