Media Advisory: NJ Health Commissioner, Agriculture Secretary to visit Bridgeton Farmers Market during National Farmers Market Week
PO Box 360 Trenton, NJ 08625-0360
For Release: August 7, 2017
Cathleen D. Bennett Commissioner
For Further Information Contact: Office of Communications (609) 984-7160
Media Advisory: NJ Health Commissioner, Agriculture Secretary to visit Bridgeton Farmers Market during National Farmers Market Week
WIC Participants & Seniors Can Redeem Vouchers for Fresh Fruits & Vegetables
As part of National Farmer’s Market Week (Aug. 6-12), NJ Health Commissioner Cathleen D. Bennett and NJ Agriculture Secretary Douglas H. Fisher will join Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly and federal officials at Rottkamp Farms in Bridgeton on Aug. 10 at 1 p.m. Eligible participants in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs can trade their farmers' market nutrition checks for pre-packaged bags of fresh fruits and vegetables grown at Rottkamp Farms and recipes on how to prepare the produce.
“This program helps local farmers sell fresh fruits and vegetables while providing families healthy, nutritious produce. But only 66 percent of WIC Farmers Market vouchers were redeemed statewide in 2016,” Commissioner Bennett said. “That means $301,843 worth of fresh produce that could have provided nutritious meals for needy children and families was returned to the federal government. We must do better.”
