New Jersey Fruit Growers Earn Top Honors

Posted by Christina Herrick|January 24, 2012

Two fruit farming operations were recognized for their industry service during the New Jersey State Agricultural Convention in Atlantic City on January 18.

Longmeadow Farm in Hope, NJ, was awarded the Neil Robson Farmers Against Hunger Award. Bradley and Phyllis Burke of Longmeadow Farm donated 60,000 pounds of apples to the gleaning organization, Farmers Against Hunger, in 2011 and hosted more than 15 gleanings during the season. Longmeadow Farm opened in 1993 and now grows 13 varieties of apples. The Neil Robson Farmers Against Hunger Award honors the memory of Neil Robson, a Burlington County farmer who generously donated tons of produce a year to Farmers Against Hunger, which distributes farmer-donated produce to emergency feeding organizations around the state.

The Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey presented Joseph Berenato of Stoney Creek Blueberries in Hammonton with the award for Blueberry Grower of the Year. Stoney Creek Blueberries is a 155-acre farm that produces about 1.5 million pounds of blueberries each year, 75% fresh market and 25% for processing. The farm was established in 1970 by Berenato’s father-in-law, Anthony Chappine. Berenato joined the business in 1981 and now runs it with his sons, Joseph Jr. and A.J. Berenato is a long-time member of the Atlantic County Board of Agriculture Executive Committee with more than 20 years of service. Currently, Berenato sits on the Board of Directors of the Jersey Fruit Cooperative.