CINNAMINSON – New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn highlighted the availability of more fresh Jersey produce with a visit to Hunter’s Farm and Market in Burlington County Thursday morning.
The next week or two will be the last chance for consumers to purchase Jersey Fresh strawberries and asparagus, as other crops such as zucchini, tomatoes, blueberries and sweet corn are among the fruits and vegetables that are or will be available on the market. coming days and weeks.
“These farmers markets, as well as community farmers markets, offer consumers a convenient method to purchase our great Jersey Fresh products, picked at their peak of freshness,” Secretary Wengryn said. “These markets also allow customers to interact with producers so they can learn more about how their food is grown, while supporting the local economy.”
There are approximately 700 independent farmers markets across the state, along with about 150 community farmers markets that meet weekly.
As the Jersey Fresh brand celebrates its 40th anniversary, Hunter’s Farm and Market is a bicentennial farm, and the family started the business in 1760. The Hunters are John Hunter and his son John, who work on the farm and run the wholesale side of the operation, while the elder Hunter’s daughter, Amy, manages the market and retail side of the business. Young John and Amy are the eighth generation of hunters to farm on the property, which sits on 120 preserved acres less than a mile from the Delaware River. They currently have strawberries and asparagus, which are nearing the end of their seasons, along with zucchini, yellow squash and golden squash, as well as romaine lettuce, radishes, broccoli, leeks, chives and scallions.
Hunter’s expects to have cucumbers, Kirby cucumbers, greenhouse tomatoes, English peas, cabbage and beets in the next week or so, followed soon by blueberries and finally sweet corn in late June. The market’s spring hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Hunter’s accepts vouchers for WIC and senior programs.
“The season is off to a really good start and we anticipate having more delicious fruits and vegetables as they become ready to harvest,” said Amy Hunter. “We appreciate our customers who have become repeat customers over the years and also enjoy meeting new ones each year. “We work to have a variety of products and other offerings available.”
Eating fresh Jersey fruits, vegetables and other produce can go a long way towards improving overall health. Eating locally is also a good option to protect the environment by reducing the miles a meal travels between farm and table and reducing fuel consumption. Plus, choosing locally grown produce helps keep New Jersey farmers on their land, preserving the Garden State’s quality of life.
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