David Arena: New Jersey peaches are running a little late this year
David Arena: New Jersey peaches are running a little late this year
The unusually severe and cold winter of 2013-14 set back the timing of many crops throughout a number of areas in the eastern United States, including New Jersey. Most vegetables in the state started a week or two later than usual this spring, and it looks like peaches will see a late start as well.
“We’re definitely on the later side of what we traditionally would be seeing,” David Arena, president of Frank Donio Inc. in Hammonton, NJ, told The Produce News June 30.
David Arena, president of Frank Donio Inc.On the plus side, volume is looking closer to normal. There was “natural thinning” in June, and unless weather problems arise, “I think we’re going to have a normal volume statewide,” he said.
Quality is looking good, too. Again, barring unforeseen weather problems, he added, “Right now we’re on track for good-quality New Jersey peaches.”
Frank Donio Inc. is a full-line wholesale produce distribution company, handling fresh fruits and vegetables from all over the United States and all over the world. But its headquarters and history are in New Jersey, so the company takes special pride in handling items from its home state, including Jersey peaches.
“Being a company whose roots are in New Jersey, peaches are part of the wide [variety] of items” in the New Jersey deal, said Arena. “Peaches are one of the things that adds to the uniqueness of New Jersey.”
Donio’s headquarters location, just a short distance from the major population centers of Philadelphia and New York City, allows it to deliver truly fresh product in a short period of time. This is especially important in recent years with the rise of the locally grown movement.
“As soon as locally grown [items] are available, almost all retailers are looking for them,” said Arena. “Whatever the commodity, they want to know, and they want to make sure they’re supporting” locally grown items, including Jersey peaches. Retailers have “certainly become attuned” to providing local items in their stores. As such, “there’s kind of a standing order [that retailers] want to know whenever local items become available,” he stated.
