| It's official! It's peach season in Georgia, time to | | | | season as the growers are. |
| enjoy some of the most amazingly delicious fruit | | | | With so many great ways to enjoy the Georgia |
| on the planet earth. Many of us have favorite | | | | peach and such a plentiful crop there are certain |
| summer memories of piling into the family car and | | | | to be great bargains this year. Many families plan |
| heading to the peach orchard for the afternoon. | | | | trips just to go and pick up some fresh peaches. |
| Imagine plucking that first ripe peach of the year | | | | While that is one of the most immersible and fun |
| from the bin at a roadside stand and biting into | | | | ways to do it, it could be impossible for those far |
| the soft succulent flesh, so delicious! | | | | from Georgia, or for those of us on a budget due |
| Plus it is always a pleasure to get the chance to | | | | to the recession, but fret not peach lovers I have |
| stuff your-self with delicious fresh peach ice | | | | the solution! |
| cream on those hot Georgia summer days. Of | | | | Peach growers make it easy to order fresh |
| course who could forget the peach shortcake? So | | | | peaches online and to have them shipped almost |
| sweet and good with a side of... well... even MORE | | | | anywhere. In addition to freshly picked peaches, |
| peach ice cream, why not? | | | | many companies offer peach jams, peach |
| This year peach farms are reporting some of the | | | | shortcake, pies and other ready-to-eat goodies. |
| best tasting peaches they have ever had, and | | | | Plus if you need ideas for what to do with all your |
| certainly the best crop in years. The chill hours | | | | delicious peaches you will often find family recipes |
| needed to make peaches grow to their best | | | | from the grower's families themselves on the |
| flavor and sizes were absolutely plentiful and ideal | | | | company website. |
| for the crop. Spring this year has also been mild, | | | | We love family-run farms that have met the |
| bringing just the right amount of nourishing rain | | | | food safety standards as well as the Good |
| without the damaging hail or late season freezing | | | | Agriculture Practices (GAP) guidelines set-forth by |
| issues of last year. | | | | the USDA and the FDA. Those farms that also |
| That being said we owe it to ourselves to indulge | | | | met the audit standards established under the |
| in peaches during their summer prime in as many | | | | Georgia GP Food Safety Programs can be |
| ways as we possibly can. Early peach varieties | | | | considered especially safe. Only three farms in |
| usually ripen in mid to late May, and the last of | | | | Georgia have earned this special designation and |
| the peaches usually ripen around late August. Fans | | | | the only one peach and pecan farm. With great |
| of the peach, like me, are probably as happy and | | | | hometown people, safe products, and amazingly |
| excited about the fantastic start to the peach | | | | delectable peach fruit, lets eat! |
