New
Jersey Agriculture Secretary Art Brown visited
the Jersey Fresh Farmers' Market of Lacey Township
this afternoon to take a firsthand look at one
of the most popular spots in the state, the urban
farmers' market. The visit highlights Farmers'
Market Week in the Garden State. Brown was joined
by Lacey Township Mayor Rod Sterling; Councilmen
John Parker and Robert Bishoff; market founders
Barbara Schuetz and Kathy Gartner; and market committee
members Chickie Wirkman and Aileen Hedrick. The
two-year-old Jersey Fresh Farmers' Market was founded
by Schuetz and Gartner, who decided that there
should be a local source for just-picked Jersey
produce in the Lacey Township area. Located at
Lacey Road & Route 9, the market's location
has proven to be the perfect spot for neighbors,
area residents and commuters to meet, shop and
visit. The market, which operates from 2 to 6 pm
on Fridays from July through October, has become
an important part of the community. "Farmers' markets
offer consumers a varied selection of delicious,
nutritious fruits and vegetables locally grown
and freshly picked," said Brown. "There is nothing
that can compare to the taste of Garden State fruits
and vegetables picked just hours before you bite
into them." This year the Lacey Township market
is served by five farmers: Denis & Janice Krowicki
of Krowicki's Farm Market & Greenhouse in New
Egypt; Patricia & Larry Jacobsen of Farmer
Al's Market & Greenhouses of Monroe Township;
Susan & Dan Roohr of Cranberry Hall Farm of
Cookstown; Patricia Lewis of Ariel Herb Farm of
Toms River; and Lester & Patricia Eckert of
Eckert's Farm of Tabernacle. Customers at the market
find a wide range of Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables,
plants and flowers, and baked goods. New Jersey's
farmers' markets date back to the 1600s. Currently,
there are 35 urban farmers' markets attended by
more than 150 farmers in over 30 municipalities
throughout the state. Urban markets usually cater
to several different consumer groups, including
the residents of the surrounding area, those who
work in the area and those who travel through the
area on their way to work or other destinations.
No matter what brings shoppers to the farmers'
market, they are likely to become loyal patrons. "Urban
farmers' markets have enjoyed a tremendous resurgence
of popularity in the past several years," Brown
noted. "They bring a new sense of community to
the host cities and offer a colorful, enjoyable
place where consumers can buy the freshest locally-grown
produce available." Brown said customers also value
the chance to talk directly to the farmers who
grow the produce they buy. "One of the most important
results of a farmers' market is the person-to-person
bond that's created between the farmers and their
customers," he noted. "The farmers get to know
what kinds of produce their customers like and
customers experiment with fruits and vegetables
they may not have enjoyed before." The urban farmers'
markets operate on various days and times during
the week. For a listing of the farmers' markets
and their operating hours, contact the New Jersey
Council of Farmers and Communities (NJCFC) at (973)
236-1875 or visit their web site at www.njcfc.org.
The Garden State also boasts nearly 400 markets
right on the farm. Some are open year round, some
seasonally and many offer a wide variety of family-oriented
events throughout the year. For a complete listing
of farm markets in their area, consumers can contact
NJDA's Division of Markets at (609) 292-8853 or
visit the department's web site at www.state.nj.us/agriculture.
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