New Jersey Department of Agriculture to spread ‘Jersey Fresh’ message
New Jersey Department of Agriculture to spread ‘Jersey Fresh’ message
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has always valued its participation in the New York Produce Show and Conference.
Al Murray, New Jersey’s assistant secretary of agriculture, pointed out that New Jersey’s prime marketing area has traditionally been the New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia region.
The NJDA will be exhibiting at booth No. 566 at the event on Dec. 1-3 in New York City.
“We have exhibited every year since this show began,” said Murray. “The event provides us with a great opportunity to focus on this region’s buyers. Because of the show’s intimacy, it allows us to spend quality time reconnecting with industry friends, attract new buyers and re-introduce the ‘Jersey Fresh’ message to this vital sector of the produce industry.”
“Jersey Fresh,” New Jersey’s locally grown initiative, has been consistently successful since its launch in 1984, and has served as a benchmark for other states to initiate their own state-grown agricultural marketing programs.
The initiative enjoyed a nice boost in 2006 when the “Jersey Fresh” logo got a new look.
Murray pointed out that because the majority of New Jersey’s produce production has wrapped up by the time the New York show begins, it serves as more of an end-of-season celebration of one more great season.
“’Jersey Fresh’ farm products are still very much on buyers’ minds, and our presence at the show presents another opportunity to reinforce our message,” said Murray.
“New York in December is a wonderful venue for people to enjoy so many holiday activities. The city is beautiful, the famous 5th Avenue department stores are decorated for Christmas and attractions such as Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Broadway and Radio City Music Hall add to the experience. First time visitors will quickly learn why New York is known as the City That Never Sleeps.”
Murray explained that for the past several years, the NJDA has partnered with Rutgers Cooperative Extension to provide food-safety training to over 4,000 New Jersey farmers.
“We believe our state’s growers are well prepared in the implementation of good agricultural practices, and food-safety issues,” said Murray.
The Department and New Jersey producers are also gearing up for a major celebration next year.
“On March 29, 2016 the New Jersey Department of Agriculture will celebrate its 100 year founding,” said Murray.
