A late start in planting has put New Jersey's cucumber growers behind in their harvesting. A recent windstorm has compounded the slow start to the season.
“We usually start by about now, but we’ll probably be two weeks late,” said Tom Sheppard of Sheppard Farms, though not all are behind schedule. “There are some farms that have cucumbers in this area; people that have transplanted and covered their cucumbers with plastic, and they’ve been harvesting for the last 10 days here.”
People are looking for cucumbers and Sheppard says they’re willing to pay good money for them. Compared to last year, he feels prices will be a little higher.
“Last year at this time the South had more supply, but they’ve had their own weather challenges this spring with rain and bad weather. That’s the fresh market – any place that gets hurt, the prices go high,” said Sheppard. “If we all have a full crop, prices are terrible.” Asparagus crews had sufficient labor, so the asparagus harvest is done and the crews will move onto cucumbers and peppers. Traditionally, the farm’s number one quality cukes go to supermarkets and off-grades are sent to food service.
Sheppard said that with demand high from the food service industry, consumption has increased.
“Our demand’s been good straight through the summer,” he said. “We used to not have cucumbers in August, but for the last few years we’ve kept cucumbers all summer to go with the peppers we do for August.”
Last year the farm had a new grower supply high tunnel tomatoes, which they anticipate good sales for. “It’s a real high-quality product and we’ll be selling more of his this year.”
For more information:
Tom Sheppard
Eastern Fresh Growers & Sheppard Farms