Georgia is The Peach State
The first commercial peach crop in Georgia was established in 1851. Raphael Moses, a planter from Columbus, GA, was the first to sell peaches outside the South. As the Civil War drew to a close, the peach industry exploded. By 1928, peach production had reached eight million bushels.
While Georgia isn't the leading peach producer in the United States, it is still a big player. Currently, the state ranks third in peach production, behind California and New Jersey. But the peach isn't the only fruit Georgia produces. It's also home to the country's most important crops: blueberries, peanuts, and pecans.
There are two primary reasons why the Georgia Peach has become an iconic state symbol. First, it's a great-tasting, juicy fruit known for its superior taste. Second, it's been grown commercially in Georgia longer than in any other state.
Georgia's nickname is "The Peach State," and the fruit was officially named the state's official state fruit in 1995. Still, the peach doesn't grow in abundance in the state. Instead, it's a small proportion of the overall agrarian economy.
As Georgia's share of the peach crop declined in the early 1900s, other states entered the market. Today, Georgia peaches are sold in fresh wholesale markets, roadside markets, and in a small percentage of stores.
