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I get excited when I get to see the concept of “farm to table” in action. I recently met a local farmer who is collaborating with local Italian restaurants. The farmer expertly raises one crop and only one crop. The restaurant chefs have recognized the superiority of the crop and allowed their creative juices to flow. The result is new, innovative, and delicious specials and menu items that have drawn huge followings.
This is the story of how this has come together and grown.
I recently had the opportunity to meet Tom Holtzhauser, our farmer. New Jersey has long been reputed to have the best peaches. I purchased his peaches. Once ripened for a couple of days, I tasted the fruit and was convinced that I may have finally found the best of the best of New Jersey peaches. I reached out and his wife Sandy arranged for me to talk with Tom about his peaches.
What I discovered is that several Italian restaurants, pubs, breakfast restaurants, and an ice cream store discovered Holtzhauser Farms peaches and will only use their peaches to produce a variety of interesting and delicious dishes.
I needed to understand why these peaches are so delicious. In my meeting with Tom Holtzhauser, he explained that he is the fourth generation of his family to operate this 107-acre family farm. The family has lived and worked on this land for 127 years. Tom explained that his father had him running the tractor when he was 8 years old. Tom is about to celebrate his 61st birthday this month.
What makes him different is that he grows one crop – peaches! He and his team grow and hand-pick every peach he sells, from the more than 6,000 peach trees producing fruit on his farm. He judges peaches by their texture and color. If a peach is not up to his standard, it is tossed to the ground for the deer and other wildlife to eat. His peaches are a testament to his selectivity yielding the best quality and the highest reputation.
The local restaurants are getting the best peaches available in the region freshly picked and served to you and in dishes that are unique and innovative. Right now, Glen Glo Yellow peaches and July Rose White Peaches are being harvested. His doughnut peaches are the sweetest, juiciest and best tasting specialty peaches imaginable.
I can attest to the joy of eating these peaches. The fact that these restaurant owners and chefs have chosen to give their business and loyalty to Holtzhauser Farms for peaches is proof positive that they are producing a spectacular crop. This is a working example of what is possible with a true “farm to table” collaboration.
I am happy that these same amazing peaches are available to any of us just by stopping in at the farm located at 74 Woodland Ave. in Mullica Hill. Don’t come between noon and 1 p.m. because Tom takes a well-earned break for lunch at that time. Call the farm storehouse at (856) 478-6691 or email jerseypeaches@verizon.net. If you have a business that would like to carry or utilize Tom’s peaches, call him directly on (609) 617-9007.
Meeting Tom, his wife Stacey, Tom Junior, and hearing about their daughter Melissa was an absolute pleasure. Tom shared story upon story about his life growing up on the farm, the people he has met over the years, and his passion for producing the finest peaches I have ever tasted.
“People hope to someday go to heaven, we already have it here,” he said.
PHOTOS BY MURRAY SCHULMAN
WHERE TO GET PEACHY
The chef at Vesuvio’s Ristorante (550 Kings Highway, Woolwich Township, N.J.; 856-467-6262) produces a variety of peach-based dishes depending on his creative whim.
Anthony Marino, owner of Marino’s of Mullica Hill (157 Bridgeton Pike Mullica Hill, N.J.; 856-417-3083 has built a huge following for his peach pizza. I’m told that this pizza is something that must be tried. These same peaches are in play at Marino’s other restaurants. The outstanding chefs at Ciconte’s, Cinder Bar, and Landmark restaurants are given free rein to produce imaginative and highly sought after dishes using exclusively Holtzhauser Peaches.
Sole’ Italian Mediterranean Restaurant is an upscale restaurant located at 8609 Landis Ave., Sea Isle City, N.J.; 609-263-7300). The creativity of the chef highlights his use of flavor and presentation. He demands and receives top quality exclusively from Tom’s peaches.
Blueplate (47 S. Main St., Mullica Hill N.J.; 856-478-2112) features fresh peach pancakes for breakfast and a unique yet popular roast beef with fresh peach sandwich for lunch. This restaurant will only use Holtzhauser Farms peaches.
When the craving for something sweet and cold hits on those hot summer days, Dippy’s Custard and Ice Cream (245 Bridgeton Pike, Mantua Township, N.J.; 856-468-4441) serves up some of the best fresh peach ice cream made exclusively with Tom’s Peaches.
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