Home > News > Press Releases > 2015 > AGRICULTURE SECRETARY SHOWED “JERSEY FRESH LOVE” ON FIRST DAY OF TWO-DAY TOUR TO HIGHLIGHT NJ PRODUCE
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY SHOWED “JERSEY FRESH LOVE” ON FIRST DAY OF TWO-DAY TOUR TO HIGHLIGHT NJ PRODUCE
Jersey Fresh Produce At Peak of Season
For Immediate Release: August 3, 2015
Contact: Lynne Richmond
(609) 633-2954
lynne.richmond@ag.state.nj.us
(TRENTON) – New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher traveled through five South Jersey counties on a “Jersey Fresh Love Tour” on Thursday, July 30 making stops at farms, farmers markets, restaurants, supermarkets, wineries and breweries to highlight the peak of Jersey Fresh season in New Jersey. More than 100 varieties of fruits and vegetables are grown by Garden State farmers.
Jersey Fresh Love is a social media campaign seeking Jersey Fresh produce fans post pictures on their social media channels about where they get their New Jersey produce, how the produce is being used and their favorite farms and restaurants to visit. The Department has been showcasing some of those pictures once a week on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Tumblr. The photos have depicted farm visits, recipes, home-grown produce, farmers markets and more.
“Jersey Fresh produce is abundant at this time of year and can be found at community farmers markets, supermarkets, and roadside stands, as well as on the menus of many restaurants,” said Secretary Fisher. “We wanted to seek out Jersey Fresh and allow people to follow us via social media in real-time. We hope everyone will do what we’re doing and support New Jersey farmers and the businesses that purchase their produce.”
The Jersey Fresh program is 31 years old this year and identifies to consumers produce grown by New Jersey farmers.
On the first day of Secretary Fisher’s tour he visited:
![Photo of Secretary Fisher with Carolyn and Art Brown and Jennifer LaMonaca Photo of Secretary Fisher with Carolyn and Art Brown and Jennifer LaMonaca](/agriculture/images/press/JFb&b.jpg)
Margate Farmers Market, Margate– The Margate Farmers Market
![Photo of Secretary Fisher with Cookie Till and Senator Jim Whelan Photo of Secretary Fisher with Cookie Till and Senator Jim Whelan](/agriculture/images/press/JFmargatefm.jpg)
![Photo of Curtis Bradshaw of Cape Resorts, Secretary Fisher and Congress Hall Exec Chef Jeremy Einhorn Photo of Curtis Bradshaw of Cape Resorts, Secretary Fisher and Congress Hall Exec Chef Jeremy Einhorn](/agriculture/images/press/JFbluepig.jpg)
![Photo of Betsy Sole and Secretary Fisher Photo of Betsy Sole and Secretary Fisher](/agriculture/images/press/JFcapemaywinery.jpg)
Cape May Winery, Cape May– The winery first opened in 1995 and was purchased by Toby Craig and Betsy Sole in 2003. That first year they produced 2,800 gallons of wine and this year produced 41,000 gallons. It is the oldest winery in Cape May County. They grow 26 acres of grapes and specialize in viniferas, Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay and Riesling. They have leased 150 acres from the county for future plantings.
Winery owner Betsy Sole shows Secretary Fisher the varieties of wine produced at Cape May Winery
![Photo of Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak, owner Ryan Krill, Diane Stopyra and Secretary Fisher Photo of Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak, owner Ryan Krill, Diane Stopyra and Secretary Fisher](/agriculture/images/press/JFcapemaybrewing.jpg)
Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak, owner Ryan Krill, Diane Stopyra and Secretary Fisher
![Photo of Nick Bertonazzi and Secretary Fisher Photo of Nick Bertonazzi and Secretary Fisher](/agriculture/images/press/JFgenoa.jpg)
Genoa Farms, Vineland-- Genoa Farms consists of about 800 acres and was first started in the late 1920’s by James Bertonazzi as JC Bertonazzi Farms. The name was changed to Genoa Farms in 1979 when James’ grandchildren and great-grandchildren took over the farm. They sell wholesale beans, squash, cilantro, parsley, peppers and jalapenos.
![Photo of Secretary Fisher and Assemblyman Adam Taliaferro at Grasso Girls Market Photo of Secretary Fisher and Assemblyman Adam Taliaferro at Grasso Girls Market](/agriculture/images/press/JFgrassogirls.jpg)
![Photo of Secretary Fisher and Steve Ravitz Photo of Secretary Fisher and Steve Ravitz](/agriculture/images/press/JFshoprite.jpg)
Shop-Rite, Cherry Hill– One of Ravitz Family Markets, the Shop-Rite of Cherry Hill is a large supporter of Jersey Fresh. Their stores have great displays of New Jersey produce and a lot of Jersey Fresh signage all season long.
Secretary Fisher’s two-day Jersey Fresh Love tour is taking him from the tip of Cape May up to the northern reaches of Sussex County. Day two will focus on Central and North Jersey. People interested in following the tour in real time can tune in to Twitter @JerseyFreshNJDA and Instagram @jerseyfreshNJDA. For more photos, visit Facebook www.facebook.com/JerseyFreshOfficial and Tumblr http://jerseyfreshofficial.tumblr.com/.