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Celebrating Farmers Market Week: New Jersey Embraces the Peak of Jersey Fresh Season
Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Joe Atchison III highlights the importance of community farmers' markets, encouraging residents to visit local markets brimming with Jersey Fresh produce.
New Jersey's agricultural community came together to celebrate National Farmers Market Week, emphasizing the importance of local markets in providing fresh, quality produce to the community. Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Joe Atchison III marked the occasion with a visit to the West Windsor Community Farmers Market on Saturday.
National Farmers Market Week, proclaimed annually by the USDA, serves as a reminder for consumers to explore local markets during the summer and fall. Assistant Secretary Atchison took the opportunity to stress the vital role these markets play.
“Community farmers markets provide a convenient avenue for residents to access a wide variety of delicious just-picked Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables,” Atchison said. “Farmers markets foster a sense of community and allow consumers an opportunity to interact with farmers and gain a better understanding of where and how their food is grown.”
With approximately 140 community farmers' markets and 700 independent farmers' markets in New Jersey, consumers have ample opportunities to purchase produce picked at the peak of ripeness. The state's farmers adhere to a rigorous standard of selling produce within 24 hours of harvest, ensuring exceptional taste and quality.
Celebrating its 20th season, the West Windsor Community Farmers' Market is a shining example of the Garden State's commitment to fresh, local food. Located at 877 Alexander Road in West Windsor, the market is open every Saturday through November 18 and twice monthly in the winter. With nearly 50 vendors and 20 farms represented, the market also offers other food-related booths, knife sharpening, composting services, live music, and community groups.
In 2020, the American Farmland Trust voted the West Windsor Market as the No. 1 community farmers market in New Jersey and the No. 4 market in the Northeast.
West Windsor Community Farmers Market Manager Chris Cirkus described the market's mission, saying, “Our weekly roster is representative of the diverse offerings grown, raised, and produced in the Garden State, and we absolutely love that our shoppers can do most of their weekly shopping with us, all while supporting our farms and vendors.”
Eating Jersey Fresh produce not only contributes to overall health but also has positive environmental impacts. It reduces the miles a meal travels between farm and fork, cutting down on fuel consumption. Furthermore, choosing locally grown products supports New Jersey farmers and preserves the quality of life in the Garden State.
Farmers Market Week is more than just a celebration of fresh produce; it's a tribute to the communities, farmers, and consumers who make the local food scene vibrant and sustainable. For those looking to explore local markets, the Jersey Fresh website at findjerseyfresh.com offers a searchable directory to find the market closest to their location. Whether for taste, health, or environmental benefits, the call to embrace local produce rings clear across New Jersey.
