This Tiny U.S. Town Is Known as the “Blueberry Capital of the World”

In the United States, some states are major producers of mangoes, artichokes, and even blueberries. When it comes to the United States, Washington is the largest producer of blueberries. Blueberries are a delicious fruit that you can eat by themselves, put on yogurt, or make some blueberry pie. Even though Washington is the largest producer of blueberries in the nation, there is one town across the country that is known as the blueberry capital of the world, and that’s Hammonton, in Atlantic County, NJ. Let’s take a look at this tiny U.S. town known as the “Blueberry Capital of the World.”

Blueberry Capital of the World

The production of blueberries was always big in New Jersey, especially in Atlantic County. In fact, the county has more than 50 farms that all grow blueberries. This, in turn, produces about 80% of the blueberries in New Jersey. But in Hammonton, there is a whopping 1,300-acre farm (one of many) that grows blueberries, the largest one in the entire Northeast. Nearly everyone living in the town has some sort of connection to the berry, too — either commercially or otherwise.

About Hammonton

Hammonton, NJ, is a quaint little town of nearly 15,000 people. Natives were living there before the Europeans settled there in 1812. The town, which was named after John Hammond Coffin, was the son of an early settler of the town, William Coffin. The original name of the town was Hammondton, but by the time it was incorporated in 1866, it was Hammonton. A notable person who was born in Hammonton happens to be First Lady Jill Biden, President Joseph Biden’s wife.

Hammonton’s Blueberries

Blueberries have been very important for Hammonton’s economy ever since they started growing the fruit shortly after the town’s settlement. The 1,300-acre blueberry farm and the other farms in the town — which total about 7,500 acres — and surrounding areas employ many people. Blueberry picking season goes from mid-June to mid-August. Hammonton and the rest of Atlantic County produce 80%, or nearly 50 million pounds, of the blueberries in the state.

Conclusion

And there you have it, Hammonton is the tiny U.S. town that is known as the “Blueberry Capital of the World.” Ever since 1953 when the town hosted its first blueberry festival, Hammonton has ensured that blueberries become synonymous with the town. If you get the chance to go to Hammonton, check out the Red, White, and Blueberry Festival held every summer. You’ll have a great time and you might just get to spot Hammonton’s own favorite daughter, First Lady Jill Biden, who was born there.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Nazar Nazaruk/iStock via Getty Images