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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2019
www.nj.gov/agriculture 
PO Box 330
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0330     

Contact:
Jeff Wolfe
P: (609) 633-2954
C: (609) 433-1785
E: jeff.wolfe@ag.nj.gov                 

Secretary visits Cumberland County operation that packs asparagus, other crops

(VINELAND) – New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher and other state and local officials today kicked off the Jersey Fresh season by visiting the Fresh Wave operation, which grows and packages locally grown produce and other farm products now appearing in farmers markets and stores around the state.

This season is off to a great start for our farmers and those who grow Jersey Fresh produce here in the Garden State,” Secretary Fisher said. “Asparagus is already in supermarkets and farmers markets and other greens, such as spinach and lettuce are also being harvested. The Jersey Fresh label continues to be a trusted trademark that lets consumers know they are purchasing locally grown produce. Buying local allows you to know you are getting the best product and supporting the local economy.”

New Jersey ranks in the top 10 in the U.S. in the production of several crops, including fourth in asparagus. The recently released Census of Agriculture showed the New Jersey asparagus crop was valued at $12.5 million and that the overall production of fruits and vegetables is valued at almost $340 million annually. 

Other crops with an early harvest that are available daily include kale, lettuce, radishes and spinach. Expected to be widely available in about two weeks are beets and strawberries.

Consumers can find what Jersey Fresh produce is in season and where it is being sold by going to FindJerseyFresh.com.

“The Jersey Fresh season is upon us and we are anticipating it being a great year,” Consalo Family Farm and Fresh Wave President Skip Consalo said. “We are proud to play an important role in making Jersey Fresh produce available to everyone. This is a family business and with younger family members being involved now, we plan to maintain our agricultural tradition here in Vineland and Cumberland County for generations to come.”

Consalo Family Farms, which also includes A.J. Consalo and Chelsea Consalo, has been growing fruits and vegetables in New Jersey since 1927. The family’s largest crop is blueberries as it sold more than 8 million pounds of that fruit last year. Consalo Family Farms also grows a wide range of vegetables, which along with asparagus, includes romaine, red and green leaf lettuce, herbs, and cooking greens (dandelion, swiss chard, kale, among other items), peppers, zucchini, eggplant, hard squash, and sweet potatoes.

Consalo Family Farms was also recognized by the State Department of Environmental Protection with an environmental stewardship award in 2016.

 Fresh Wave is the sales arm of Consalo Family Farms and handles a full line of vegetables, including asparagus, arugula, parsley, cilantro, kale, collards, chards, kohlrabi and beets, as well as an array of leaf items and lettuces.

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