How Jersey Fresh emphasizes food quality, safety
Agricultural products agents from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture stay on top of the latest developments in the produce industry by attending numerous grower and industry events, like the annual State Agricultural Convention, grower association meetings, farmers markets and fairs, said Joe Atchison III, marketing and development division director.
“Our networking helps us stay in touch with our growers and any relevant trends in produce and marketing,” he said.
One project that continues to catch eyes is the Jersey Fresh program, which aims to enhance quality-grading practices and promote New Jersey-grown fruits and vegetables.
“This program is popular with many of our wholesale growers as well as retail growers selling their produce at farmers markets,” Atchison said. “The Jersey Fresh logo ensures that the produce has been grown with the high standards New Jersey consumers have come to expect.”
Besides supporting supermarket promotions that feature locally grown products sporting the Jersey Fresh logo, the program provides information at findjerseyfresh.com that tells where consumers can find local farms and markets. The site includes locations, hours, products and contact information.
More food safety news: What fresh produce needs to know about FSMA 204, 2D bar codes
The site also has recipes, features on Jersey Fresh chefs and farmers, agritourism activities, a list of pick-your-own farms and details about seasonal events, Atchison said.
“You can also access a shop to purchase Jersey Fresh apparel and gifts, and the proceeds benefit New Jersey farmers,” he added.
Atchison said that even though many of the state’s smaller, retail-based farms are exempt from Produce Safety Rule inspections, they still may be affected by certain provisions of the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule.
“There are still modified requirements that are designed to facilitate trace back to where produce was grown,” he said.
Farms are required to “prominently and conspicuously display, at the point of purchase on a label, poster, sign, placard, or documents delivered with the produce in the normal course of business the name and complete business address of the farm where the produce was grown,” he said.
The practices “should allow New Jersey to remain at the forefront of food safety in the U.S.,” Atchison said.
