The highly anticipated freestone peaches are in, daytime temperatures have moderated just a bit and sales are up – a profitable combination for local peach markets.

And although the number and severity of afternoon and evening storms seemed to increase in recent weeks, most of what has ailed the peach market has been the extreme daytime heat, which drives customers away. Now that temperatures have dropped somewhat, sales have picked right back up.

“The heat has cooled off a little bit and people are shopping,” said Star Robertson of Jackie’s Market on Highway 25. “When it was 100-plus degrees everyday people just don’t like getting out in it, but business has been really good.”

Pam Cook with Cook’s Farms says she can always tell how well business is by how tired everyone is at the end of the day – and everyone at Cook’s has been really tired lately.

“It’s been a great season,” she said. “W can tell how business is by how tired we are in the afternoons and we have been tired so business is good. The heat does help make us more tired in the evenings, but we’re doing fine and the peaches are delicious.”

For some growers, the volume they are accustomed to may be off some, but solid prices are maintaining a stable marketplace for their produce.

“We have had some weather and the volume in boxes is off, but the price has held very, very well and is holding strong,” said Sonny Yonce of J.W. Yonce and Sons. “Everyone may not have packed the volume that was expected (so far), but a good price is making up for it at the moment and we have excellent quality.”

Part of the upswing may also be attributed to the emergence of popular freestone peaches, which references a type of peach which features flesh that releases more easily from the stone of the fruit.
Sherrie Harmon with Sara’s Roadside Stand says freestone peaches are exactly what customers are waiting for.

“In a given season we may have between 80 and 100 varieties of peaches, so what people want to know is whether or not the peaches are freestone because after they hit freestone they’re all sweet,” she said.

Robertson said the presence of freestone peaches marks a noticeable difference in sales.

“Now that we have freestone (peaches) it’s boosted the sales,” said Robertson. “I can see it.”

And Cook says her best peaches are still on the way.

“We’re going into freestone peaches and our best varieties are yet to come,” said Cook.

In addition to peaches, local markets are also selling plenty of other fruits and vegetables and favorites like seedless melons, sweet corn, boiled peanuts and okra.

“We have white sweet corn coming in now and that keeps us busy too,” said Cook. “We’re shelling butter beans and peas and have some nice okra and tomatoes as well.”

“I do lots of plants,” said Robertson. “I have shell peas and butter beans, all local, along with boiled peanuts, seedless melons and local honey. The honey really sells well.”

Sara’s is selling plenty of “Imagination” seedless watermelons that are somewhat darker in color and super sweet.