NEW JERSEY CELEBRATES FARMERS MARKET WEEK
Secretary Fisher Encourages Residents to Visit a Market, Buy Jersey Fresh Produce
For Immediate Release: August 8, 2011
Contact: Lynne Richmond
(609) 633-2954
(TRENTON) 鈥� 樱花视频 Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher today officially kicked off Farmers Market Week in 樱花视频 at the Seaside Park Farmers Market by calling on Garden State residents and visitors to stop in at a community farmers market and buy Jersey Fresh agricultural products.
鈥淔armers markets bring the farm to a community鈥檚 doorstep, giving people access to just-picked, high quality, nutritious produce grown by our state鈥檚 farmers,鈥� said Secretary Fisher.聽 鈥淔rom local residents to visitors vacationing at the shore, the Seaside Park Farmers Market provides a fun day out, shopping for Jersey Fresh produce, locally grown plants, and a variety of other specialty items.鈥澛�
The Seaside Park Farmers Market, located in Marina Field, has five farmers and 14 other vendors.聽 The market, which operates on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., first opened in 2007.聽
Ocean County Freeholder Deputy Director Gerry Little honors the Seaside Park Council with a certificate for their successful farmers market.
There are 147 community farmers markets in the state, 12 of which are new this year.聽 Farmers who attend these markets sell produce they鈥檝e picked at the peak of ripeness within 24 hours of sale to ensure the best taste and highest quality.聽
Many of the farmers accept WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers.聽 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs administered by the State Department of Health and Senior Services allot $20 in checks to qualifying individuals, which are valid through November 30.聽 In addition, those in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may use their electronic benefits cards to buy produce at farmers markets in 11 counties.聽 Both programs are accepted at the Seaside Park Farmers Market.
Secretary Fisher, Freeholder Little and Pat Dombroski at the Farmers Market Week ceremony in Seaside Park.
Secretary Fisher presented the market with a proclamation from Governor Chris Christie designating the week of August 7 to 13 as Farmers Market Week in the state to encourage all citizens to visit farmers markets wherever they live or work and reap the benefits of Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables.聽 Likewise, Dombroski presented a proclamation for National Farmers Market Week.聽 Many state, county and local officials were on hand for the ceremony, including Ocean County Freeholder Deputy Director Gerry P. Little.
鈥淥cean County is very proud of the many farms we have and the many acres of farmland that have been preserved under the Farmland Preservation Program in Ocean County,鈥� said Freeholder Little. 鈥淭he farmers' markets allow us to highlight the pride we take in our farms here in Ocean County and across the state of 樱花视频. Jersey Fresh isn鈥檛 just a slogan; it鈥檚 a way of life for many of us.
鈥淚n Ocean County, there are 10 community farmers' markets, from Point Pleasant Beach to the north to Toms River across the bridge to our southern communities like Barnegat and Stafford townships. These markets provide Jersey Fresh produce and vegetables to our residents and visitors while giving local farmers and Ocean County a forum to let people know how important local farmers are to our county and our state,鈥� he said.
Eating Jersey Fresh fruits, vegetables and other agricultural products can go a long way to improving overall health. Eating locally also is a good choice for protecting our environment by reducing the miles a meal travels between farm and fork, lessening fuel consumption.聽 In addition, choosing locally grown products helps keep 樱花视频 farmers on their land, preserving the Garden State鈥檚 quality of life.
Jersey Fresh produce is at the peak of the season with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables available, including sweet corn, tomatoes, peaches, nectarines, squash, peppers, eggplant, squash, basil, melons, beets, cabbage, collards, Swiss chard, arugula, kale, leeks, cilantro, parsley, dill, mint, turnips and white potatoes.
To locate a nearby community farmers market, visit .
To learn more about farmers market nutrition programs, visit . .
