N.J. agriculture secretary tours community farmers markets
N.J. agriculture secretary tours community farmers markets
New Jersey Agriculture Secretary Charles M. Kuperus recently sampled some of New Jersey's bounty at farmers markets in Englewood, West Orange and Middlesex Borough during a farmers market tour.
At the Englewood Farmers Market located near the downtown area, Mr. Kuperus was joined by local legislators, Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg and Assemblyman Gordon M. Johnson.
"Community farmers markets, such as in Englewood, provide residents with access to Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables and a market for our farmers," Mr. Kuperus said in a statement. "This market in Englewood also helps attract visitors to the downtown area.
The Englewood Farmers Market has been operating for eight years. It features two farmers and four vendors who sell pickles, cheeses, jams, jellies and baked goods.
"One of the most highly anticipated events of spring and summer is the farmer's markets in District 37, said Ms. Weinberg. "The Englewood Farmers Market is a wonderful and creative addition to the downtown shopping district. It means a great deal to the people of Englewood, in particular seniors, who are able to access farm-fresh produce right in their own backyard.
"This Farmers Market -- in my hometown of Englewood -- is especially close to my heart, said Mr. Johnson. "From seniors to small children, the Englewood Farmer's Market has become a staple of life that Englewood residents depend upon.
The second stop on the tour was the West Orange Farmers Market, where Mr. Kuperus was joined by West Orange Mayor John F. McKeon, who is also an assemblyman.
"The West Orange market gives residents easy access to Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables and other agricultural products, harvested at the height of freshness, to take home for healthy and nutritious summer meals, said Mr. Kuperus. "This busy market also gives its farmers a new venue, keeping agriculture strong in the state.
The West Orange Farmers Market was started several years ago in an effort to bring people into the downtown area. It was moved to its current location in the parking lot behind town hall a couple of years ago. The market features four farmers and one vendor who sells fresh mozzarella and frozen, prepared foods.
"West Orange is happy to provide its residents with an opportunity to shop for Jersey-grown produce, said Mr. McKeon. "We also applaud the efforts of Secretary Kuperus in providing a great outlet for our farmers to showcase their fresh and nutritious products.
Middlesex Borough residents now don't need to go far when they want fresh-from-the-farm Jersey Fresh produce. Mr. Kuperus' final stop of the day was the new Middlesex Farmers Market, one of six new community farmers markets to open around the state this season.
"This new market in Middlesex brings New Jersey's bounty, the freshest, locally grown produce, directly to area residents looking for a healthy summer meal, said Mr. Kuperus. "Not only will the market benefit the surrounding community, but it will give farmers a new market opportunity, keeping agriculture strong in the state.
The Middlesex Farmers Market is operated by the borough's Economic Development Committee, which wanted to provide fresh produce to townspeople. The market has three farmers and several vendors selling baked goods, flowers, shrubs and cheese.
There are 76 farmers markets operating in New Jersey. The number of markets in the state has been on the rise over the past few years. Twenty-four new markets opened in the past three years. Besides Middlesex, new markets opened in Fort Lee, Vineland, Sergeantsville, Lawrenceville and Hamilton Park.
At the Englewood Farmers Market located near the downtown area, Mr. Kuperus was joined by local legislators, Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg and Assemblyman Gordon M. Johnson.
"Community farmers markets, such as in Englewood, provide residents with access to Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables and a market for our farmers," Mr. Kuperus said in a statement. "This market in Englewood also helps attract visitors to the downtown area.
The Englewood Farmers Market has been operating for eight years. It features two farmers and four vendors who sell pickles, cheeses, jams, jellies and baked goods.
"One of the most highly anticipated events of spring and summer is the farmer's markets in District 37, said Ms. Weinberg. "The Englewood Farmers Market is a wonderful and creative addition to the downtown shopping district. It means a great deal to the people of Englewood, in particular seniors, who are able to access farm-fresh produce right in their own backyard.
"This Farmers Market -- in my hometown of Englewood -- is especially close to my heart, said Mr. Johnson. "From seniors to small children, the Englewood Farmer's Market has become a staple of life that Englewood residents depend upon.
The second stop on the tour was the West Orange Farmers Market, where Mr. Kuperus was joined by West Orange Mayor John F. McKeon, who is also an assemblyman.
"The West Orange market gives residents easy access to Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables and other agricultural products, harvested at the height of freshness, to take home for healthy and nutritious summer meals, said Mr. Kuperus. "This busy market also gives its farmers a new venue, keeping agriculture strong in the state.
The West Orange Farmers Market was started several years ago in an effort to bring people into the downtown area. It was moved to its current location in the parking lot behind town hall a couple of years ago. The market features four farmers and one vendor who sells fresh mozzarella and frozen, prepared foods.
"West Orange is happy to provide its residents with an opportunity to shop for Jersey-grown produce, said Mr. McKeon. "We also applaud the efforts of Secretary Kuperus in providing a great outlet for our farmers to showcase their fresh and nutritious products.
Middlesex Borough residents now don't need to go far when they want fresh-from-the-farm Jersey Fresh produce. Mr. Kuperus' final stop of the day was the new Middlesex Farmers Market, one of six new community farmers markets to open around the state this season.
"This new market in Middlesex brings New Jersey's bounty, the freshest, locally grown produce, directly to area residents looking for a healthy summer meal, said Mr. Kuperus. "Not only will the market benefit the surrounding community, but it will give farmers a new market opportunity, keeping agriculture strong in the state.
The Middlesex Farmers Market is operated by the borough's Economic Development Committee, which wanted to provide fresh produce to townspeople. The market has three farmers and several vendors selling baked goods, flowers, shrubs and cheese.
There are 76 farmers markets operating in New Jersey. The number of markets in the state has been on the rise over the past few years. Twenty-four new markets opened in the past three years. Besides Middlesex, new markets opened in Fort Lee, Vineland, Sergeantsville, Lawrenceville and Hamilton Park.
