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assortment. “Georgia has a very diverse grower community,” says Ted Wanless, chief operating officer of SM Jones & Co., Inc., which grows and ships from South Georgia and Belle Glade, FL. “These growers possess experience growing multiple commodities.”
In the spring, East Coast vegetable produc- tion begins in South Florida and moves north. “Georgia is an important link in the chain,” says Delbert Bland, president of Bland Farms LLC, Glennville, GA. “Georgia is a vital part in the connection between Florida and that space going up the road, whether that be watermelons, sweet corn or sweet onions.”
In recent years, Georgia has become one of the largest fresh blueberry produc- tion states. The state’s extensive production window supplies blueberries from early April through late June. “Georgia is the largest producer of blueberries in the Southeast,” says Mario Flores, Naturipe Farms’ director of blueberry product management. “It is the first major production region that can supply much of the eastern United States. There are tremendous promotional opportunities in late April through May as well as early through mid-June.”
Water is one of the main nutrients for pecan production. “Georgia is blessed with water,” says GPGA’s McLeod. “Georgia also has the appropriate amount of freeze required during the trees’ dormancy, and the warm climate and sunshine are also key to pecan production.” The climate helps produce pecan varieties sought after by the baking and snack food markets, because they possess higher oil content and are larger, with more golden color, she says.
PERFECT TIMING
Timing is everything. “The Georgia window fills the key gaps between Florida’s production and also Mexico’s production coming out of the winter and spring,” says Grower Network’s Bolesta. “There aren’t really many options during that time,” he says. “Georgia is a big producer then. It fills the need.”
Most of Georgia’s produce is shipped to East Coast customers and into the Midwest, with about 10 percent crossing into Canada. “When you say Georgia Grown or products grown in Georgia, consumers in New York may not think of that as ‘local,’ but they know the products are being grown on a family farm and in a good environment where they have not had to travel far,” says Hall.
by a strong interstate highway network, which allows for efficient logistics. “Via I-75 and I-95, Georgia is a perfect hub,” says Northampton’s Cullen. “If you look on the map, one can go from Georgia all the way to Miami in seven hours, the same going west to Mississippi and Louisiana. It’s a central hub, and it’s why the state has done so well.”
Georgia is located in a highly favorable area. “From a logistics perspective, you can deliver to more than half the U.S. popula-
tion within two days from South Georgia’s growing region,” says Nickey Gregory’s Scott. “This gives you fresher product and quicker turns on your Eastern vegetables program. Also, the climate in South Georgia during the spring harvest is ideal for Eastern veg until the summer heat hits.”
SAME-DAY SERVICE
Georgia growers can make same-day deliveries to customers in Birmingham, AL,
In terms of geography, Georgia is favored
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GEORGIA GROWN PRODUCE