Frozen fruit

Columbia, S.C.

Despite frantic efforts by farmers, peach, berry, and grape crops were extensively damaged by the abnormal, subfreezing temperatures that gripped the South last week. “I don’t think there’ll be a decent peach out of South Carolina this year,” said South Carolina farmer Raymond Cook. Some farmers used their sprinkler systems to coat blueberries and strawberries with a layer of ice; the ice can help keep the fruit warm by trapping in some heat. The crop loss is expected to quickly translate into higher fruit prices at the market.