NJPPC advocates for peach growers in New Jersey
NJPPC advocates for peach growers in New Jersey
The New Jersey Peach Promotion Council is comprised of peach experts — growers, shippers, wholesalers and allied industries — all volunteering their time to maintain a viable peach industry in the Garden State.
The aim is to help preserve farmers and farmland in New Jersey and provide the highest quality and best tasting fresh peaches for consumers.
“The New Jersey peach industry has and continues to be a very vital part of our state’s agricultural economy,” said Bonnie Lundblad, the chair of the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council. “The peach industry has evolved over several generations.”
Currently, New Jersey is among the five largest peach producing states, with about 80 orchards on close to 5,500 acres. Growers plant more than 100 varieties of yellow, white, flat and nectarines.
“Most peach farming families were involved with apple growing and added peach acreage and transitioned to one of the largest producers in the country of peaches,” Lundblad said. “As peaches are one of the largest commodities grown in the state, the importance cannot be overstated.”
The New Jersey Peach Promotion Council works to promote Jersey grown peaches through coordination with local and regional retailers, research funding to Rutgers, regional and national advertising as well as support to local farmstands throughout the state.
“The NJPPC supports members with seasonal advertising throughout the entire produce industry, attending regional and national events to promote New Jersey peaches,” Lundblad said. “It’s very hard to measure the increase in consumption, but the advertising we do in coordination with NJDA reaches millions.”
In 2025, the biggest issues facing peach growers in the state are labor challenges, increased cost of production and materials, weather events and competition from other commodities. That’s why it’s vital that the NJPPC continues to raise awareness about the superiority of the state’s peaches.
As noted, Rutgers is a huge resource with development of varieties which can acclimate to the state’s ever-changing environment.
“NJDA drives a huge part of the marketing strategy for the entire state and of course peaches,” Lundblad said. “We dovetail with their overall strategy each year and that’s been a big part of the category’s success.”
In recent years, the NJPPC has increased its social media presence, and is expected to so again for the 2025 season. Included are messages with variety information, timing of the crop, peach recipes, and details about the Peach at the Beach Day held each year in August, which includes special giveaway locations at the New Jersey Shore.
A large majority of peach growers in New Jersey are members of NJPPC and understand the significance of what it does and appreciate the help it provides.
“We continue to reach out to all entities within the peach industry to provide support with marketing initiatives, looking towards increasing consumption of New Jersey stone fruit,” Lundblad said. “When the next generation of peach growing families enter the business, we continue to be there to support through our promotional activities.”
