The Garden State

New Jersey is nicknamed the Garden State and for good reason, including for its cranberry and blueberry industries. Cranberries have been consumed in the area for centuries, eaten by Native Americans and the earliest European settlers. Cranberry farming has existed in New Jersey since the mid-19th century and much of it takes place in bogs throughout the Pine Barrens in South Jersey. Many roads traversing the Pinelands pass several cranberry farms.

OceanSpray derives much of its cranberries from New Jersey for its products. Beyond corporate companies, cranberries also have a cultural presence in the state. Chatsworth hosts a cranberry festival in October every single year, complete with vendors and artists.

For blueberries, NJ is a top-10 state in farming the fruit. Hammonton is the center of New Jersey’s blueberry production and has called itself the blueberry capital of the world. Hammonton is located in the Pine Barrens region, which has acidic soil that works well for the fruit. Similar to Chatsworth, the town hosts its very own blueberry festival. Locals who are interested in growing their own blueberries can visit farms in the Hammonton area to purchase bushes.