The Jersey Fresh brand is the longest running state agricultural marketing and quality assurance program in the country, having started in 1984. So, this season, we are proudly celebrating Jersey Fresh turning 40. Throughout all our campaign efforts including digital billboards, bus tails, social media, radio and print you will see and hear our messages “The Freshest for 40 Years” or “Ripe for our 40th.”

The team at Grapeco Farms, a Delano, CA-based company that was founded by industry veterans Jared Lane and Robert Cadena, is busy at work with the Mexican grape season, which is one of the strongest production areas for the company.

Grapeco is one of the first farms to get started with early fruit, and also one of the last to finish.

“We started Mexico a little bit later than we thought we would due to the cold March,” Lane said. “We started harvesting right around May 13, and volume is ramping up, and it looks like it’s going to be a very fruitful Mexican season.”

If you are doing something well, continue doing it and success will follow seems to aptly describe the business philosophy of Krichmar Produce Co.

“We’re always expanding and willing to look at new opportunities, but we aren’t doing anything different this year,” said Matt Rieti, chief operating officer of the Vineland, NJ-based company.

For 60 years, Stemilt Growers has grown, packed and marketed its “world famous fruit,” including fresh apples, pears, cherries, stone fruits and organic tree fruits.

Fruit Royale Inc. is an experienced grower/shipper of table grapes, working directly with its contracted growers on all aspects of fruit production — growing, packing, cooling, storing, logistics and sales.

“We have been active in the production of premium table grapes in the San Joaquin Valley since 2004,” said Louie Galvan, managing partner of the Delano, CA-based company. “Our year-round figures are in the 3-5 million box range, and we supply premium quality grapes from around the world.”

North Carolina produces reds, yellow flesh and round white potato varieties that are known for their versatility, as they can be baked, broiled, fried or mashed.

“Our potatoes are known as ‘new’ potatoes and have bright skins that consumers love,” said Matt Luks, marketing specialist with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, who serves as advisor to the North Carolina Potato Association. “Approximately 70 percent are grown for potato chip markets for the Eastern U.S. and Eastern Canada and approximately 30 percent for table/fresh market for grocery chains.”