(BUENA VISTA) – New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher kicked off the 2021 #JerseyFreshisCOOLER social media photo contest today at Bertuzzi’s Farm Market in Atlantic County. Last year’s winner, Melissa Garcia, chose to use her $500 gift card at Bertuzzi’s.

To participate in the 2021 contest, share your favorite photos of Jersey Fresh farmers, farms, markets or produce with the hashtag #JerseyFreshisCOOLER on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The grand prize winner will receive a custom Jersey Fresh YETI 75 Quart Cooler. The contest lasts until September 7, 2021.

“#JerseyFreshisCOOLER is a contest for the fans of Jersey Fresh to get involved and promote the amazing and wonderful crops that are grown here in the Garden State,” Secretary Fisher said. “We encourage everyone to submit their entry and compete for some cool stuff.”

Along with the grand prize, there will also be weekly winners who will receive a Jersey Fresh prize pack including a Jersey Fresh backpack cooler filled with Jersey Fresh goodies, like an New Jersey shaped Jersey Fresh cutting board, a Jersey Fresh beach towel, and a Jersey Fresh car magnet. Winners will be announced on the Jersey Fresh Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.

Last year hundreds of people and businesses submitted more than 1,000 photos from all over New Jersey highlighting favorite fruits, vegetables, markets, pick-your-own farms and agritourism activities.

Garcia’s winning photo featured the Cervini Family’s self-serve produce stand located outside of Vineland that sells a variety of produce, including tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. Garcia, an architectural designer, has used agricultural settings for family and individual portraits, animal photography, and architecture

“I have always enjoyed using farm locations for many of my photos,” Garcia said. “They bring about a natural atmosphere that generates an authentic scene. Choosing Bertuzzi’s Market to spend my gift card was an easy decision as they have been a part of agriculture in this area for so long.”

Bertuzzi’s Market has been a popular location in Atlantic County for the last 75 years, being open since 1946.

The market is owned by Joe and Caroline Bertuzzi Jacobs, and they are in their 52nd year of running the business. They are in the process of turning over the operation to Joe Jacobs Jr. Their produce selection throughout the season includes corn, tomatoes, string beans, peppers, peas, squash, eggplant, beets, cucumbers, blueberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, blackberries, and pumpkins among others, including growing much of it on their 46 acres and selling it at the market. They also sell bedding plants, hanging baskets, herbs, fresh cut flowers, and fresh baked pies.

To find out which Jersey Fresh produce is available each week, visit www.findjerseyfresh.com

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To learn more about the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NJDeptofAgriculture and Twitter @NJDA.