Jul 23, 2020

Visits to produce farms highlights height of the season in New Jersey

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher made several stops at farm and distribution operations during the past week to highlight the arrival of Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables. The Landisville Produce Co-Op, Vineland Produce Auction, A.T. Buzby Farm, Circle M Farms, and Jersey Legacy Farms were all included in the tour.

“We are at the height of Jersey Fresh season and now is a great time to enjoy all the favorites,” Fisher said in a news release. “From tomatoes, sweet corn, peaches, blueberries, and cucumbers, to romaine and other lettuces, our farmers grow them all. These crops are available at farmers markets, supermarkets, farm stands, and CSA’s. With New Jersey producing over 100 different crops, there are varieties of specialty fruits and vegetables available in abundant supply.”

To see what produce is currently in season you can check the Jersey Fresh Availability report at https://bit.ly/2E7n4e3. The report is updated weekly throughout the growing season.

New Jersey is ranked in the top 10 in production value in the United States in 11 different fruits and vegetables. One crop New Jersey is known for is tomatoes and according to the USDA, Garden State farmers harvested more than 89 million pounds of tomatoes in 2019 for a production value of $71.3 million. Another popular vegetable in New Jersey is peppers, where the state’s growers produced more than 100 million pounds for a production value of almost $46 million last year. New Jersey remained a top-five producer of peaches in 2019 with 36 million pounds harvested for a production value of $26 million. Other crops New Jersey is ranked in the top 10 for production in the U.S include blueberries, cucumbers, spinach, eggplant, cranberries, squash, sweet corn, and asparagus.

Go to www.FindJerseyFresh.com to find recipes that include Jersey Fresh items. Also, stay informed about Jersey Fresh on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JerseyFreshOfficial, Twitter @JerseyFreshNJDA or Instagram @JerseyFreshNJDA. 

Photo at top: New Jersey Agriculture Secretary Fisher with Jersey Legacy Farms grower Michele Schoen with organic grape tomatoes that were picked that day in Cumberland County. Photos: New Jersey Department of Agriculture