FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2001
Governor declares SC Peach Week---June 24-30, 2001
COLUMBIA---The SC Peach Council is pleased and honored to announce that Governor Jim Hodges has proclaimed June 24-30,2001, as “SC Peach Week.” A news conference is scheduled for Monday, June 25, 2001, at 4:00 p.m. at the Peach Mural, located at the railroad tracks in Johnston, SC. Senator Tom Moore will present the proclamation to Lynne Chappell, President of the South Carolina Peach Council. Many growers will be present to discuss this year’s crop.
Peach Week was established to remind consumers that fresh, juicy, sweet SC peaches will be available throughout the summer and to encourage support of the local peach industry. Summer is just not summer without SC peaches!
Chalmers Carr, a grower in Ridge Spring, SC, and an Officer of the SC Peach Council, was elated with the Governor’s proclamation of Peach Week. “This effort reminds our state’s citizens of the rich history that SC has in producing peaches,” noted Carr. “We also hope that our friends and neighbors across the state will purchase and enjoy tree-ripened fruit during Peach Week and throughout the summer months---peaches that have made SC famous,” he added.
SC ’s peach season is well underway in all production regions. Most areas experienced an ideal winter. While there was some loss of early fruit due to a late freeze, there will be plenty of fruit available for consumers to enjoy this season.
SC ranks #2 nationally next to California in the production of fresh market peaches. This important agricultural industry is valued at $25 to $ 35 million dollars each year. The peach industry provides jobs and is important to the local economies in the major production areas of the Piedmont, Ridge, Sandhills, and Low Country of SC.
SC has a long history in the production of dessert quality peaches. Ideal production regions are located throughout the state that offer fertile soils, proper elevation for air drainage, adequate winter chilling hours, and warm summer days that result in the best eating peach available.
Major capital investments have been made in recent years by the commercial industry. Growers have integrated new planting systems, planted new varieties, and developed trickle fertigation systems to maximize production efficiency in orchards. In addition, commercial packinghouses have incorporated the most modern computer-driven packing lines available to package peaches. Fruit is cooled, then washed and graded over systems that sort for size and color. The fruit is then packed in 25 lb. boxes or is tray-packed for shipment to retailers throughout the east. All of this effort by growers and packers provides consumers with the best dessert quality fruit.
Roadside stands and u-pick orchards also remain popular choices for local consumers to purchase fresh SC peaches. Stands and orchards are located throughout the state for consumers to purchase fruit directly from the grower.
Lynne Chappell, grower in Kline, SC, and President of the SC Peach Council, summed things up nicely when she noted, “It does not matter if consumers go to the local grocer, to a roadside stand, or to an orchard to pick their own fruit. They can rest assured that they are getting delicious fruit for their families while supporting SC farmers and helping our local economy when they request SC peaches”. “If you are not sure whether peaches are from SC when purchasing at retail---just ask!” Chappell explained, “South Carolinians deserve the best and that means SC delicious freestone peaches during a long hot summer.”
For more information concerning the SC peach industry, contact Chalmers Carr, SC Peach Council, at (803) 685-5381, or Martin Eubanks, SC Department of Agriculture (803) 734-2200 or meubanks@scda.state.sc.us.