BRUSSELS, Ill. — When it comes to picking a peach it's sort of like athletes trying to make a sports team; everyone doesn't survive the cut. So, we went out to Illinois to learn how they do it.
Business is good at Sandi Ordeleher's roadside market.
"Are peaches a booming business?" "Yeah, we have a real [sp] good business," said Sandi Ordeleher.
But those peaches don't just fall into those baskets.
That’s where Jared Brackett and his crew come in.
"I take a lot of pride in finding the right peach," said Jared Brackett.
Each morning, they’re rolling on a tractor through the orchard.
"The biggest peach I've ever seen was a two-pound peach."
They’re on a hunt of sorts seeking peaches with just the right stuff.
"I'm looking for a bright red peach that's when you know they are the ripest. When I first started picking here, I didn't know what I was doing. I just got the hang of it and still picking."
The picking of peaches isn’t easy work. Keep in mind the sun ripens — but it also burns.
"Today isn't as bad as it normally is. It's usually burning hot out here," explained Brackett.
Brackett and his crew spent the better part of the day out in the orchard.
"We can probably pick 10 or 12 trailer loads a day".
But the picking part of the job isn’t the end of the line — the peaches must be sorted. They are separated into two categories. They divide them by number ones and number twos.
"This is seconds because it has a little imperfection on it," said Jackie Rose. "What makes this a pretty perfect peach?"
"It's just got the right color the right size," explained Ordeleher.
Jackie Rose sorts about 30 bushels a day. "A lot a lot," laughed Rose.
And, no matter the amount, they take pride in what they present to the public.
"We sort them good and they'll tell people how good are peaches are," said Rose.
The greatest joy is seeing someone enjoy the fruits of their labor.
"Makes me feel pretty good knowing that we're out here picking peaches and the people obviously like 'em if they're picking 'em," says Brackett.
