South Jersey Apple-Picking Farm To Close Amid Clash With Health Department

MULLICA HILL, NJ — Hill Creek Farms in Mullica Hill will close for good following this year's apple-picking season, ending decades of a popular fall tradition in South Jersey.

Hill Creek Farms owner and founder Fred Sorbello announced the closure on the business's website.

"Of all my business successes, nothing measured up to farming, and all the memories it brought back to me of growing up on a farm," Sorbello wrote.

In his post, Sorbello blamed the closure on a clash with local health officials.

"I refuse to deal with the Gloucester County Board of Health here forward. And sadly, potentially another New Jersey farm lost," he wrote. "To meet their demands puts this farm at a crossroad, either go big because of the added investment requirements and operate 10-12 months a year or simply say it’s time to stop."

Hill Creek Farms has been a family farm for four generations, with the Sorbello family growing fruit and vegetables since its founding, the farm's website states. The farm has featured orchards of apples, pears, plums, peaches, nectarines, and numerous kinds of vegetables.

Sorbello, who began working on the farm as a boy, inherited Hill Creek Farms when 23 years old. While he moved away and founded a food logistics company with facilities now located across the world, he returned to the farm in 2006 to honor the legacy of his grandparents, according to the farm's website.

In his announcement, Sorbello said Hill Creek Farms will close following the nine- or 10-week pick-your-own apple season that starts next month.

"It's time to call it a career," he wrote. "Thank you for always saying hello, thank you for making HCF your annual U-Pick destination and family tradition."

Hill Creek’s opening day is Sept. 6. Activities including the playground equipment, market and wine garden will not be open this season; however, the farm will still offer hayrides and barrel train rides for the kids.

The Gloucester County Department of Health is the agency responsible for overseeing health and safety standards determined by the New Jersey Department of Health.

Annmarie Ruiz, a health official from the Gloucester County Department of Health, told NJ Advance Media the county has been corresponding with the farm about operations for several years. Starting in 2018, officials discovered that on at least two occasions, Hill Creek Farms' operations had exceeded what was approved in applications.

With a few weeks left in the season last year, Ruiz told NJ Advance Media that the health department “did not shut them down, but we stated that the facility is not permitted to re-open for the 2025 season unless they upgrade their septic accordingly or remove the kitchen operation."

In the announcement on the farm's website, Sorbello said he may have "pushed it too far," but the county's demands were too much for a small family farm.