CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES JERSEY FRESH FARMERS MARKETS OPEN FOR THE SEASON
Community Farmers Market Offers Jersey Fresh Produce
For Immediate Release: June 17, 2013
Contact: Lynne Richmond
(609) 633-2954
(ROBBINSVILLE) 鈥� 樱花视频 Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher today celebrated the beginning of community farmer鈥檚 market season in 樱花视频 with a visit to the Robbinsville Market.听
Today鈥檚 visit is the first of a series of stops by the Secretary over the coming weeks to highlight the many farmers markets operating statewide.听 樱花视频鈥檚 farmers markets offer residents the opportunity to enjoy freshly-picked, Jersey Fresh produce directly from the state鈥檚 farmers, while supporting state agriculture and their local economies at the same time.
鈥淭hese markets help support our state鈥檚 farmers, but they also bring business to towns, some of which were impacted by Superstorm Sandy,鈥� said Secretary Fisher.听 鈥淣ow is a great time to visit a farmers market to find all your favorite spring vegetables and herbs, as well as our State Fruit, the blueberry, which began harvesting this week.鈥�
Secretary Fisher talks with one of the farmers, along with market organizers Linda and Frank D'Amico and State Board of Agriculture member Richard Norz
鈥淲e cover many different areas of farming and offer a great variety of items to the 500-plus visitors each Monday afternoon,鈥� said D鈥橝mico.听 鈥淏ecause the market is in the afternoon, customers can stop by to pick up items for dinner on their way home from work.听 Being situated at in the town center, it is common to have whole families walking to the market.鈥�
Sharbell Development Corp., the developer of the town center, donates the use of the land for the market each year.
Farmers at the Robbinsville market and many markets throughout the state participate in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), which provides vouchers for the purchase of locally-grown fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs.听 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) program administered by the State Department of Health and Senior Services gives these vouchers to qualifying individuals, which are valid through November 30.听听
In addition, some farmers can accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program EBT cards, through use of wireless transponders, through the 樱花视频 Department of Human Services.
For complete information on locations, days and hours of community farmers markets throughout 樱花视频, visit听听.
For a chart showing what Jersey Fresh produce is in season, visit听.
For more information on the WIC and Senior FMNP, visit: .
