Georgia farmers predict bumper peach crop, but there’s a catch

HALL COUNTY, Ga. — It’s still early, but Georgia peach growers say they may be looking at a bumper crop this year.

When Drew Echols surveys his 150 acre orchard at Jaemor Farms in Hall County, he likes how things are shaping up.

"We potentially have the best crop that we’ve ever had here,” Echols said.

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The Georgia Department of Agriculture says the fruit and vegetable crop all across the state looks very good right now. More Georgia grown produce than they’ve seen in years.

They say for the most part, there are enough workers to harvest it all. But trouble may be brewing.

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"We’ve come through Hurricane Michael. We had weather issues last year. Now we have a great crop, but because of the COVID disruption, it’s compromising the possibility for most any producer to make a profit,” Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black said.

Commissioner Black is asking consumers to buy locally grown produce. But because of Coronavirus concerns, a larger percentage of shoppers are buying groceries online and the product could come from anywhere.

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"Hopefully we’re seeing a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel that is ‘not’ an oncoming train,” Black said.

The Jaemor Farms Market was buzzing this day. Drew Echols says he’s bringing in as much locally grown produce as he can. He believes the state’s peach growers may get a little help from the supermarket chains.

“Georgia peaches--the consumers want them. From what I understand, retailers are going to give us extra space this year in the grocery stores. I’m excited about this year’s peach crop.”

Hundreds of free meals given out today, more planned for later this week At another food giveaway at the Global Mall a few week ago, volunteers rushed to make more food because they ran out of meals even before the time set for the event to begin.

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