Two members of Governor Corzine’s Cabinet used the backdrop of the Capital City Farmers Market on State Street in Trenton to announce that food stamp recipients can now use their Family First Electronic Benefits Transfer cards to purchase Jersey Fresh produce at many community farmers markets throughout the state.

Human Services Commissioner Jennifer Velez, Agriculture Secretary Douglas H. Fisher and Deputy Regional USDA Food and Nutrition Service Administrator Patricia Dombroski watched as farmer George Asprocolas of Millstone swiped a card for the first time, providing a bag of peaches and other produce to a food stamp recipient and her daughter.

Maintaining good nutrition, while living on a very limited budget is something that Food Stamp recipients wrestle with every day. The pilot program, which involves more than 15 farmers and 80 tailgate markets, aims to make healthier food choices more available to lower-income residents.

"This collaboration between State agencies will allow for food stamp purchases at community farmers markets, bringing just-picked Jersey Fresh produce right to where people live," Governor Jon S. Corzine. "This is another example of how state government is working to best serve New Jersey residents in need."

New Jersey is one of the first states in the Mid Atlantic region to bring wireless technology to authorized farmers.

Click here for more information about Food Stamps

Click here for a list of farmers’ markets accepting Food Stamps