Winter is melting away, and signs of life are beginning to bud on the trees and poke through the ground.
These signs of life have been blossoming at Russo’s Farm since seeds were planted in January in an acre of greenhouses located behind the market, even though the market will open its doors on March 21 for the beginning of the season.
The Russos raise products ranging from flowers to pumpkins, all of which are grown on approximately 600 acres of land.
“We’re pretty much A to Z when it comes to fruits to vegetables. We do apples, peaches, plums, pears, and as far as vegetables go, we do everything,” said Anthony Russo IV, who considers himself a jack-of-all-trades in the family business.
Anthony is fourth generation and still works closely with his father and owner, Tony Russo III.
The Russos own 375 acres of the land on which they farm and lease the remaining 225 acres.
An acre of greenhouses is run on the farm, where the crops begin the journey from seedling before they’re transferred onto the acreage and grow into a larger crop. Additionally, the greenhouses are utilized to cultivate flowers. Currently, pansies are beginning to blossom and will be one of the first products sold this season.
The greenhouses serve as a safe place for flowers to mature. Hanging plants are nurtured until the beginning of May, and poinsettias are grown for local churches and for purchase in December, according to Tony.
The success of the farm can be dedicated to years of experience and New Jersey’s natural resources. The composition of the soil utilized by the farm is unique. Half of the land is silica sand and the other half is rich dark soil, both natural to the area and catering to the needs of a variety of crops.
“In a wet year, the sandier soil is better, and in a drier year, the dark soil is better,” Anthony said. “We’ll plant accordingly. We have certain plants that do well in the sand and vice versa.”
From July to Labor Day, Russo’s supplies 80 percent of the vegetables and fruit offered. A few products, including Christmas trees, are not grown on the land. Local honey and Valenzano’s wine are also sold.
In addition, the market has a full-service bakery that includes homemade apple cider doughnuts, Anthony said.
The Russos have been in business since 1940. The farm homestead is cattycorner from the store, located behind Sequoia High School on Carranza Road where Tony was born and raised.
The market began serving the Tabernacle community in 1967. The business has since expanded, providing vegetables nationally through wholesale.
“We do local restaurants, the Philadelphia [Reading] Terminal Market, we do Hunt’s Point. We sell to brokers who take our stuff,” Tony said, adding produce is sold at the Trenton Farmer’s Market.
According to Anthony, their sweet corn is used at Famous Dave’s restaurant and their produce is sent to Walmart, and to retailers in Canada and across the pond in Europe. The farm also serves multiple locations around the Shore, including the Flanders Hotel in Ocean City.
The biggest impact has always been in Tabernacle and surrounding communities. Many people stop on the way to the Shore.
According to Tony, people have been trying to shop locally, especially in the last three years.
“We’ve seen our produce end of the business get better because people just want to shop local,” Tony said.
For more information on Russo’s Fruit and Vegetable Farm and Greenhouses, Inc., visit russosfruitandveg.com.
