New Jersey

New Jersey Voters Signal Strong Support for Ban on Surveillance Pricing, Digital Tags

Fri, 08 May 2026 15:44:02 GMT

New Jersey is becoming the latest battleground in the national debate over digital pricing in grocery stores. A new poll released by a coalition of labor unions, including the United Food and Commercial Workers Locals and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, reveals that a bipartisan majority of Garden State voters favor a ban on electronic shelf labels and so-called surveillance pricing.

“This predatory technology breaches personal privacy, drives up prices for families and threatens good union jobs,” says UFCW International Vice President Ademola Oyefeso. “As large corporations, such as Walmart, rush to roll out ESLs across their stores, New Jersey lawmakers have the opportunity to ban this technology before it’s too late. This poll proves that New Jerseyans understand the dangers of surveillance pricing and expect their lawmakers to act.”

The survey, conducted by GBAO Strategies, indicates that 65% of New Jerseyans support proposed legislation to prohibit the technology. The data suggests deep-seated consumer anxiety regarding corporate transparency, as 67% of respondents stated they do not trust grocery stores to use ESL technology responsibly, while 61% think the transition to digital tags will lead to higher grocery prices.

A Growing Legislative Movement

The push for a ban is gaining momentum in the New Jersey State House, led by Sen. Joseph Cryan and Assemblyman Chigozie Onyema. Supporters of the legislation argue that ESLs enable surveillance pricing — a practice where retailers use shoppers’ personal data to set individualized prices that can fluctuate instantaneously.

“Electronic shelf labels enable large corporations to use shoppers’ personal data to squeeze them for every last dollar,” Oyefeso says. “Amid persistent high inflation, the last thing families need is for grocery prices to rise even higher.

“New Jersey has a chance to get ahead of this predatory practice before it becomes common practice,” he adds. “UFCW applauds the lawmakers who are standing up for consumers and workers against this corporate exploitation and urges them to pass this legislation before the session’s end.”

The labor coalition also highlights the impact on the workforce, noting that these systems threaten to replace the roles of grocery clerks and force front-line workers to manage consumer frustration over volatile pricing.

Additional findings from the poll show:

61% of New Jersey voters think ESLs, and 67% think surveillance pricing, will cause grocery prices to increase.
Support for proposed legislation in the state cuts across party lines, with 65% in favor of banning this technology in grocery stores.
Retailers cannot be trusted to do the right thing, with 67% of respondents saying they don’t trust grocery stores to use the technology responsibly.
More than 75% of New Jerseyans have a negative view of U.S. economy, with 73% worried about the cost of groceries for their household and 70% expecting the amount they spend on groceries to increase in the next year.
ESLs enable retailers to change prices instantaneously, and corporations are racing to deploy them. Walmart, for example, plans to replace traditional paper price tags with digital ones across all of its stores by the end of 2026. The corporation also recently secured patents to use shoppers’ personal data to update prices at scale.
ESLs also threaten the livelihoods of grocery workers. These systems could replace the skilled work of grocery clerks or, at the very least, leave them to explain a company’s actions to rightfully angry shoppers. UFCW represents more than 800,000 grocery workers across North America.

National Context

New Jersey’s legislative push is part of UFCW’s broader “Affordable Groceries and Good Jobs Campaign,” which has seen 12 states take aim at artificial intelligence-driven technology in the retail sector. The movement comes as major retailers accelerate their digital transitions; notably, Walmart recently announced plans to replace paper tags with digital versions across all locations by 2026.

With 70% of New Jerseyans expecting their grocery bills to increase over the next year, the debate over who controls the price on the shelf — and how often it can change — is set to remain a focal point for lawmakers through the end of the session.

This latest update follows previous coverage of the escalating tension between retail modernization and consumer protection:

Walmart and Unions Clash Over Future Digital Price Tags — A look at the labor concerns and corporate motivations behind the nationwide rollout of ESLs.
Poll: New Yorkers Want Full Ban on Digital Tags; Maryland Passes Landmark Privacy Law — An exploration of similar consumer sentiment in New York and the first successful legislative restrictions in Maryland.
Maryland Says No to Surveillance Pricing — Deep dive into the poll results that fueled Maryland’s landmark stance against data-driven grocery pricing.

How Jersey Fresh plans to power blueberry promotions

Fri, 09 May 2025 20:58:48 GMT

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Jersey Fresh program plans to promote the Garden State’s blueberries from mid-June through July “to reach as large an audience as possible to let them know these colorful gems are in season and waiting for them,” said Joe Atchison III, assistant secretary.

Jersey Fresh blueberries will be featured in digital billboards along some of the busiest roads in the country during peak season, Atchison said.

“These boards allow us to reach a large number of travelers when they are on the road and sometimes sitting in traffic,” he said. “They are colorful and promote the highest-value crop that is harvested in New Jersey.”

Ten-, 15- and 30-second radio spots also are planned as traffic and weather sponsorships on weekends, Atchison said. The spots will run on a variety of stations throughout the state and along the famous Jersey Shore.

NJDA will observe National Blueberry Day on July 8 along three of New Jersey’s oceanfront boardwalks with Jersey Fresh tents, branded giveaways and free pints of Jersey Fresh blueberries for visitors.

The department also partners with the New Jersey Blueberry Industry Advisory Council and assists with its promotions using additional billboards, an airplane banner flying along the shoreline and a digital sign on a boat that travels the coast, Atchison said.

“We also have social media throughout the season showcasing the farm operations, selected recipes and other fun and informational posts about Jersey Fresh blueberries,” he added.

Wakefern seeks to expand its local grower network

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 18:12:19 GMT

This spring, retailer-owned supermarket cooperative Wakefern Food Corp. invited local farmers and growers in the Northeast to join its network of suppliers and participate in a Produce Local Supplier Summit to be held July 9 at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center in Edison.

“Wakefern’s Produce Local Supplier Summit is another way to help small- and mid-size local growers bring their fresh produce to our stores,” Mark Van Buskirk, group vice president of fresh for Wakefern, said in a news release.

Wakefern member companies own and operate supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage, Fairway Market and Di Bruno Bros. banners.

“Our number one focus is to source as close to our market as possible,” Ross Farnsworth, vice president of produce at Wakefern, told The Packer. “Our customers value locally sourced produce,” he continued, “so, if you want to do business where you’re growing your product, Wakefern and our banners are the place to be.”

Growers interested in attending the summit and being considered as a Wakefern supplier must apply online by May 30 through the RangeMe platform . Applicants should share their brand or product’s origin story as part of the application process. Farnsworth said the application process should take no more than 20-30 minutes.

In addition to attending producer panels, those invited to attend the summit will have the opportunity to talk to some existing Wakefern members, according to Karen O’Shea, corporate communications at Wakefern.

“The cooperative is retailer-owned, but it is made-up of these multigenerational families that operate ShopRite stores and some of those members will be there from different families.”

New Jersey produce celebrates all things local

Thu, 01 May 2025 03:29:07 GMT

New Jersey is a relatively tiny state — the fourth smallest in the nation — but it hits far above its weight class when it comes to fresh produce.

The state grows well over 100 different types of crops. It also ranked fourth in the nation in 2023 (most recent complete data) for annual receipts on asparagus, cranberries, peaches and spinach, and sixth in the nation for blueberry and squash receipts — contending with agricultural (and literal) giants like California and Texas.

“I know we’re a small state, but we were nicknamed the Garden State first, and there’s a reason,” says Charlie Cade, sales and procurement at Consalo Family Farms/Freshwave Fruit & Produce. “I think we’re the premier growing state, even though acreage would say otherwise.”

New Jersey: Small but mighty and unique

Jeff Wolfe, public information officer at the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, explains New Jersey has almost 10,000 farms, with over 700,000 acres of land in farms. This represents roughly 15% of the state’s land.

There are many unique elements to New Jersey produce farming. For example, the state boasts the longest-running state produce marketing program, and the state and its growers focus on meeting the needs of a diverse customer base and ever-changing market demands with local produce. The state’s unique climate helps them do it, too.

“For a small state, we have a wide range of climates,” Wolfe says. “The advantage of that is it helps our season last longer,” he explained. The growing seasons for produce in the northern half of the state lag two to four weeks behind the southern half. “We can have Jersey produce available for a little bit longer period of time because of that variety and difference in climates.”

Being surrounded by large, dense population centers full of a wide variety of customers also presents a unique opportunity for New Jersey growers.

“We have a very diverse population in New Jersey,” Wolfe says. “We do have some farmers who have made the effort to grow certain different types of crops — maybe not traditional to New Jersey — to meet the needs of people who maybe immigrated from other countries or have traditions from other countries where their families are originally from.”

“Our farmers just do a tremendous job of trying to meet needs,” he adds.

New Jersey’s location also means growers can access customers up and down the eastern seaboard.

“We’re within five hours of several million people and we have very good, short transportation times,” Wolfe says. “So, if you get it from New Jersey, it’s still going to be fresh because our stuff doesn’t have to spend much time on the road in transit to reach places. Anything delivered from us up and down the East Coast is still going to be fresh.”

Jersey Fresh: A boon to local growers

New Jersey has capitalized on the ability of its growers to deliver fresh produce and market it through its Jersey Fresh program. The state produce marketing effort has been around for 41 years, making it the oldest continuously running program in the nation. And, as the name implies, freshness is a key focus.

“We like to say it’s possible that it was picked in the morning, then you bought it that afternoon, and it’s on your plate for dinner all in the same day,” Wolfe says.

Wolfe adds that recent survey data shows 80% of New Jerseyans recognize the brand. For those who don’t, the program has been trying something new in the past few years: Flying the banner along the Jersey Shore during the summer. He says the program is also capitalizing on the traffic in the heavily populated areas, using digital billboards to highlight different produce in season.

The growers The Packer talked to had nothing but praise for the Jersey Fresh program. Steve Specca, owner of Specca Farms, calls the program one of the best ways New Jersey customers can come to appreciate buying local, something he feels is enormously important.

“It starts with the customer. If the customers are supportive of local — if they understand that what they’re getting is American made and small town made, and that sort of thing is important to them — that’s what’s really going to help farmers like me.”

Cade describes the program and serving New Jersey customers as Consalo’s bread and butter.

“Aside from us having our own great label and our own great operations, that extra assurance of the Jersey Fresh logo is kind of a guarantee,” he explains. “Every retailer in the state wants New Jersey products. They don’t want anything else. They don’t want somebody else’s label. They want Jersey Fresh.”

Consalo constantly develops to serve customers

Knowing what consumers want and will enjoy is a big deal to Consalo Family Farms/Freshwave Fruit & Produce. Cade explains Consalo is big on marketing and customer relations.

“We do a lot of work with our vendors and our growers, as well as our retailers, on what they see. ‘What is easier for you to grow and pick versus what the consumer market actually demands and wants?’” he says.

He says they have been seeing an increased demand for specialty produce items, and especially value-added produce items. He uses examples of specialty lettuces like hearts of romaine, specialty radish varieties and radishes cut in chips or matchsticks that are ready to use.

Meeting these kinds of customer demands doesn’t happen overnight, however.

“There’s a lot of research and development and trials that go into it,” Cade says. “We’re really happy that that’s one of our primary focal points.”

Consalo Family Farms has a lot of R&D efforts underway. Speaking generally, Cade describes iceberg trials that have been in the works for three years and should be moving to wider production this fall. He also mentions work on romaine hearts, specifically looking for a variety that grows well on the farm and has a specific flavor profile and eating experience: crunchy, firm, crisp and with a consistent bite.

“That’s one thing that maybe some people don’t take as seriously, but we do,” he says.

While Cade admits he’s “a veg guy” and likes focusing on the vegetable side of the operation, there’s a lot going on at the fruit side of Consalo as well. He points to new varieties of blueberries that will be in production this year and a summer citrus deal coming out of South Africa. He even hints at other upcoming projects.

“We’re happy that we’ve been doing trials, and we’re making a lot of headway on one of our special products that we think is going to be a premier item coming up.”

He describes the company as ever evolving and continuously developing. “We don’t say no. It’s just not in our vocabulary,” he says. “And we’re not afraid to try anything, even if it doesn’t work. There’s plenty of stuff we’ve done that just didn’t take. But we’re willing to invest to try it, and that’s a unique thing to us and to this marketplace.”

That developmental mindset applies to the physical reality of the company as well as the products they offer. In 2023, the company finished a major cold storage and packing facility expansion . Cade says this expansion — and the work that preceded it — has had a massive, positive impact on the company’s ability to serve its customers even as demands change.

“We expanded all of our growing operations before we expanded that building. It’s part of keeping up, revamping and continuing to grow,” he says. “We’re a 52-week operation, so we do everything we can to seal up any holes so that we can keep servicing our customers. That’s the name of the game.”

Specca Farms growing to spec for specific tastes

Specca and Specca Farms know a lot about the importance of serving customers in a very tailored way. The vegetable farm began its shift away from wholesaling in the 1970s and toward a you-pick model catering to immigrant and specialty customers.

“Because my grandfather and great grandfather were immigrants to this country, they had a lot of Italian friends who would stop by and buy produce right from the farm because they knew where to get good produce,” Specca says. “Getting it fresh is a lot better than waiting in the store.”

Since then, the Specca family has moved to what Steve Specca calls “tailor-made farming.” He explains that, over the years, members of various ethnic groups have come to the farm to talk to the family about growing specific fruits or vegetables that are beloved from their home country.

“Over the years, our inventory of crops has greatly expanded,” Specca says. While the exact number is always up for debate, he estimates the farm grows around 400 different varieties of fruits and vegetables.

“It’s been our business model to be the most diverse, cater to the customers wants and needs, and be reliable,” he says.

Reliability is important when it comes to running a you-pick farm, Specca says. “Nobody wants to come from three hours away and be disappointed that we don’t have that certain kind of green bean that they like.”

The you-pick model comes with some distinct costs and benefits, according to Specca. On the one hand, the family gets to have a uniquely close and engaged relationship with its customer base. The you-pick model also means the farm sidesteps harvest-related labor demands, packaging and transportation — major considerations for the most vegetable farms.

On the other hand, the model has some distinct downsides. According to Specca, it’s not the most efficient, people don’t always pay for everything they pick and there are different labor considerations when it comes to harvesting.

“The grass has to be mowed very well. The driveway has to be weed whacked and perfect. All those things that don’t pay the bills,” he explains. Having staff on hand to answer consumer questions, direct them to the proper fields and generally maintain order and smooth operations is all necessary, even if it’s not the usual form of harvest time labor.

“It’s not the best system, but it works for us,” Specca says. “We do well. We’re not rich by any stretch of the word, but this is the dream job. People work three jobs to be a farmer.”

Jersey Fresh promotions celebrate the bounty of the Garden State

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 13:42:04 GMT

New Jersey Agriculture Secretary Ed Wengryn highlighted the beginning of the state’s blueberry season with a visit to Macrie Brothers Blueberry Farm in late June.

The USDA reports that New Jersey accounted for about 25% of domestic blueberry truck shipments in the last week of June.

Wengryn and several state and local officials viewed the packing of Jersey Fresh blueberries to emphasize that locally grown produce and farm products are readily available now at farmers markets and stores around the state, according to a news release.

“Blueberries are one of the signature crops of the Garden State and a highlight of the New Jersey growing season,” Wengryn said in the release. “The Macrie brothers are among the growers who continue to build on the well-earned reputation that makes our blueberries internationally known. The dedication and commitment by our growers results in the highest quality fruit each year.”

Blueberries in New Jersey for 2023 had a production value of $92.1 million, making it the state’s highest-selling crop. New Jersey annually ranks in the top six in the U.S. in the production of blueberries. Farmers in the Garden State harvested 50 million pounds of blueberries on 10,800 acres last year, the release said.

The Macrie brothers have been growing blueberries in New Jersey since 1953. What started as a 26-acre farm has blossomed into an 800-acre operation, the release said. The Macrie brothers are also active members of the New Jersey Blueberry Industry Advisory Council, along with local county boards and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.

The blueberry season in New Jersey lasts through the end of July, which is National Blueberry Month. At the peak of blueberry season, production can be as high as 250,000 to 300,000 crates per day, the release said.

Eating blueberries is beneficial to health, as they are known as the “King of Antioxidants,” and the berries are low in calories and high in nutrients.

According to the Census of Agriculture, New Jersey continues to be among the top producers in the U.S. of several crops, including eggplant at No. 3, cranberries and asparagus each at No. 4, and blueberries at No. 5. Other crops in which the state ranks in the top 10 for production include peaches, plums, bell peppers, spinach, bok choy, escarole, kale and romaine lettuce, among others, according to the Census of Agriculture.

How Jersey Fresh is spotlighting blueberries

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 18:58:41 GMT

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has a message for retailers, especially those in the New Jersey, Philadelphia, New York and Greater New England metropolitan areas: Now’s the time to stock your produce shelves with Jersey Fresh blueberries.

Blueberries grown in the Garden State will be available from now into early August, said Joe Atchison III, assistant secretary/marketing and development division director.

“Jersey Fresh blueberries provide excellent marketing opportunities for retailers to take advantage of during our harvest season,” Atchison said.

Third-party market research shows that nearly three-quarters of consumers surveyed in and around New Jersey perceive Jersey Fresh blueberries to be superior to other berries, he said.

As an added bonus, stores that set up a Jersey Fresh blueberry display can tag the agriculture department at #JerseyFresh on Facebook and Instagram, and the Jersey Fresh team will share the post with 35,000 followers.

The Jersey Fresh team is going all out to call attention to blueberries.

“On the marketing and advertising side, we have begun running digital billboards with rotating messages throughout the entire blueberry harvesting season,” Atchison said.

And targeted social media postings and radio spots are scheduled to feature Jersey Fresh blueberries during the height of the harvest season.

“Crowds along the world-famous Jersey Shore will see Jersey Blues and Jersey Fresh airplane banners flying the shoreline from Sandy Hook in the north to the southern tip in Cape May,” he said.

On National Blueberry Day, July 8, the department will host a sampling of blueberries for the fourth year in a row on three Jersey Shore boardwalks in Atlantic City.

“It’s been highly successful, and we will be handing out pints of Jersey Fresh branded blueberries on a first-come, first served basis,” Atchison said.

All Jersey Fresh messaging will remind consumers about the benefits of Jersey Fresh blueberries, he added.

AeroFarms assets up for auction at Newark farm

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 19:24:01 GMT

This year has been marked with dramatic change for AeroFarms , a controlled environment agriculture leader and aeroponic grower. In the latest of a series of notable developments, the company has set up an auction to divest itself of all assets at its Newark, N.J., production facility.

The Newark facility — built inside of a former steel mill — was AeroFarms’ first indoor farm facility and the company’s headquarters. In April, AeroFarms moved its operations from the Newark site to its Danville, Va., farm facility; in June, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Related news: AeroFarms’ Marc Oshima ‘optimistic’ in face of Chapter 11 filing

As the dust has settled, and with the transition to Danville now complete, assets in the Newark facility are now being sold through auction.

AeroFarms auction, explained

SecondBloom Auctions, an auction management firm specializing in CEA, has been chosen to oversee the sale of key assets from the Newark facility. The auction will run online from Aug. 28 to Sept. 18, according to a news release.

Related news: AeroFarms transitions N.J. farm to R&D facility

The auction will include specialized agriculture equipment such as lighting systems, automation technology, racking and other vertical farming assets. AeroFarms will also coordinate and oversee the asset removal by winning bidders, with assets removed by Sept. 28, according to the release.

“We look forward to leveraging our expertise to ensure a smooth transition that maximizes value for AeroFarms’ stakeholders,” Chris Lange, CEO of SecondBloom Auctions, said in the release.

Interested parties can learn more about the auction at secondbloomauctions.com .

AeroFarms representatives will be on-site at Newark facility during the preview days on Sept. 7-8. During this time, they will be available to showcase assets and assist potential bidders. Interested bidders can fill out the advanced viewing form on SecondBloom Auctions’ website.

Spreading the word about ‘Jersey Fresh’

Fri, 12 May 2023 18:11:14 GMT

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture will promote its Jersey Fresh program through a diverse media mix this season, said Joe Atchison III, assistant secretary and director of marketing.

“Dozens of digital billboards will rotate products weekly as they come into season,” he said. “Billboards are located on some of the busiest roads in the nation.”

There’s also a season-long radio campaign, and Jersey Fresh will be promoted on bus ads on routes covering the most densely populated areas of the state, Atchison said.

“Radio and bus ads will contain a Spanish-language component to reach a diverse audience in the New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia markets,” he said.

A cable TV campaign during the heart of the growing season will showcase the range of fruits and vegetables offered from New Jersey, and a Jersey Fresh aerial banner will fly over the Jersey shore every weekend throughout the summer.

Consumer and trade print ads will run in several publications, and the NJDA will offer retailers Jersey Fresh point-of-purchase materials including banners, bin wraps, price cards, hats and aprons, Atchison said.

New Jersey grower wins National Outstanding Young Farmer Award

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 15:24:08 GMT

New Jersey’s 2024 Outstanding Young Farmer Byron DuBois, of Salem County, was selected as a national winner at the 2024 National Outstanding Young Farmers Awards Congress held recently in Ferndale, Wash.

DuBois, with the support of his wife Karen, co-owns and operates Spring Brook Farms in Pittsgrove along with his father, Henry, according to a news release.

Byron DuBois was one of four national winners selected from a group of 10 finalists for the award based on their progress in an agricultural career, the extent of soil and water conservation practices and contributions to the well-being of the community, state and nation, according to the release.

“It was a whirlwind of emotions this past week as Karen and I were blessed to represent New Jersey and Spring Brook Farms at the Outstanding Farmers of America Congress as a top 10 national finalist of their National Outstanding Young Farmers program,” he said in the release. “All of the couples are amazing people and all well-deserved of their recognition. We were honored and humbled to have been chosen as one of the top four. It really could have been anyone in this great class of 2024.”

DuBois, a seventh-generation farmer, gave credit to his family for Spring Brook’s success.

“I want to thank my parents, Henry and Marlene, for all the opportunities and support,” he said. “My sister, Crystal, for her hard work and dedication to the farm; my cousin, Steve, for always being there no matter what time of day; and every one of the Spring Brook Farms family current and past. Without these hard-working dedicated people, we could not do what we do. I am looking forward to growing lifelong friendships with the NOYF Class of 2024 as well as the many other members of the [Outstanding Farmers of America].”

National winners will receive a cash award from the Outstanding Farmers of America, and all finalists are presented the opportunity to travel to Washington. D.C., during National Ag Week in 2025, according to the release. In addition, all 2024 finalist registrants will be covered for their attendance at the 2025 National Outstanding Farmer Congress.

“The work Byron and his family have done over the past several years made them an exemplary candidate and we are proud they were recognized nationally with this honor,” NJDA Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Joe Atchison III said in the release. “Byron’s passion for agriculture and vision for his family’s operation has made Spring Brook one of the outstanding farms in New Jersey as well as being a shining example to other farms in our state and the country.”

DuBois learned many intricacies of the business from his father. By the time he was a teenager, Byron DuBois was operating equipment for spinach harvest, combining grain and harvesting green beans, the release said. The primary crops grown on the more than 4,000 acres owned by DuBois and his father include carryover spinach, spring spinach, fall spinach, winter spinach, sweet corn, tomatoes, field corn, soybeans and wheat.

Throughout the years, DuBois has led the farm’s efforts to become more efficient in many facets of the operation, the release said. This includes upgrading equipment for quicker spinach and tomato harvests and using GPS technology for more precise planting, harvesting and treatment methods. The farm also uses detailed mapping information to find specific soil types in fields, which in turn has led to more economical use of fertilizers and irrigation, the release said.

The DuBois farm participates in the USDA’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and the Natural Resources Conservation Service Irrigation Water Management Programs, which have helped reduce soil erosion to allow water to drain from fields without soil disturbance, according to the release.

The National Outstanding Young Farmer program is the oldest farmer recognition program in the U.S., with the first group of national winners selected in 1955, according to the release. The program’s goals are to foster better urban-rural relations through the understanding of farmers’ challenges, as well as the appreciation of their contributions and achievements; to bring about a greater interest in farmers and ranchers; and to help build an urban awareness of the farmers’ importance and impact on the U.S. economy.

The program is sponsored by Deere & Co., administered by the Outstanding Farmers of America Fraternity and supported by the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, the National Association of Conservation Districts and the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce, the release said.

Jersey Fresh marks milestone

Fri, 03 May 2024 18:57:21 GMT

Jersey Fresh is turning 40 this year, and the state-backed promotion program will recognize the milestone in a big way.

Jersey Fresh is the longest continuously running state government agriculture brand in the country, said Joe Atchison III, agriculture assistant secretary and marketing and development division director for the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

“We will be doing several produce visits, and our campaign will highlight Jersey Fresh as ‘The Freshest for 40 years’ during this anniversary year,” he said.

The Jersey Fresh program and brand is used by thousands of marketers and retailers throughout the state to signify top quality fruits and vegetables grown and harvested in the Garden State. The program is continually evolving to reach a broad audience, he said.

Along with traditional media purchases, strategies include using social media platforms, through POP materials and special events at the famous Jersey Shore throughout the summer.

“In addition, we have begun to advertise the Jersey Fresh brand to Spanish-speaking audiences and are looking to expand to other languages spoken in the most densely populated state in the country,” Atchison said.

Activities for Jersey Fresh this year include farm and business visits to promote what is in-season.

“We will also have digital billboards on some of the busiest travelled roadways in the country,” Atchison said. “We will have Jersey Shore promotions on the boardwalks in Wildwood, Atlantic City and Seaside Heights with special giveaway days for blueberries, tomatoes and peaches, along with flying the Jersey Fresh banner along the beaches. Targeted social media campaigns and contests plus radio spots will promote our wonderful produce to those throughout the Garden State.”

Consalo Family Farms boasts generations of success with New Jersey produce

Mon, 06 May 2024 15:43:37 GMT

Consalo Family Farms has generations of success with New Jersey produce.

The operation grows and packs blueberries, leaf lettuce, herbs, cooking greens, wet vegetables and other commodities, says Chelsea Consalo, executive vice president of the Vineland, N.J.-based grower, shipper and distributor.

“We are very fortunate to have continued to build and grow our family business since the 1920s,” Consalo said. “Many farms in New Jersey like ours are owned and operated by families that have been in the agriculture business for generations. Family pride, industry knowledge and commitment to farming make New Jersey farms excel at producing quality product year after year. We are lucky to have a program like Jersey Fresh to promote these products. Locally grown has become extremely important to consumers.”

The past five years have seen an expansion in both acreage and facilities for Consalo Family Farms, she said.

“We consider investment into our farms, facilities and staff a must to remain competitive,” Consalo said. “With our constant commitment to understanding that quality starts right on the farm, we ensure that the Consalo brand represents premium, superior produce.”

Local produce is a big play for Consalo Family Farms, she said.

“New Jersey’s unique geographic location makes transportation to retailers up and down the East Coast very easy,” Consalo said. “Timingwise, there is a great window of opportunity for many items with the season beginning in April and usually extending into November for some crops.”

Consalo Family Farms also hosted a Jersey Fresh kickoff at the end of April.

“We could not be more proud to be hosting such an incredible event to kick off the season with fellow farmers, local legislators, and the [New Jersey] secretary of agriculture,” Consalo said.

Marketing magic

The company combines its marketing strategies with its charitable goals, Consalo said, a strategic approach that benefits both the organization and the communities where it operates.

“Our most recent campaign was the ‘Mandarins Making a Difference’ campaign in partnership with Harris Teeter,” she said. “For every pound of Little Smoochies mandarins purchased at North Carolina Harris Teeter locations from March 6-12, we donated a pound of mandarin oranges to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in North Carolina, which equaled 16,000 bags of mandarins.”

By aligning its marketing efforts with impactful social initiatives, Consalo said the company amplifies the reach and impact of its campaigns while simultaneously fulfilling its commitment to making a positive difference in the communities it serves.

“Through carefully planned promotions, we engage with our target audience, raising awareness about important causes and encouraging active participation in our programs,” she said. “This approach allows us to foster a sense of purpose and connection among our stakeholders while simultaneously achieving our business objectives.”

The company’s online presence was elevated in 2023, and Consalo said the marketer is working to continue that momentum this year.

“We strengthened our social media marketing and did a redesign of our website,” she said. “The image we promote online gives the authentic message of our products and brand to consumers and retailers. We utilize social media to continue to develop a consistent brand identity across all platforms (Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook), utilizing photos, reels, recipes and more.”

Eastern Propak celebrates grand reopening of produce cold storage, packing and repacking facility

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 13:01:45 GMT

Glassboro, N.J.-based Eastern Propak unveiled its state-of-the-art produce cold storage, packing and repacking facility at a Sept. 13 ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand re-opening event.

Glassboro Mayor John Wallace III, government officials from the New Jersey 3rd Legislative District, Gloucester County Board of Commissioners and members from the Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce joined Eastern Propak employees, vendors and stakeholders to celebrate the milestone and learn more about the infrastructure and equipment investments recently made at the facility located on Ellis Mill Road, according to a news release.

The facility features added space and increased resources for automation in addition to many technological advancements and innovations that directly improve the overall efficiency, sustainability and quality, setting new standards in the produce industry, the release said.

“Thank you to everyone who joined us for this important milestone,” Robert Kearney, CEO of Eastern Propak, said in the release. “You have all played such an integral role in our journey and have contributed to Eastern Propak’s growth throughout the past several years. We are proud to be part of the Glassboro community supporting our local farmers, and we are committed to improving the produce industry.”

Glassboro Mayor John E. Wallace III congratulated Eastern Propak for reaching this milestone and acknowledged the company’s commitment to the local community, according to the release. Director Frank DeMarco and Deputy Director Heather Simmons of the Gloucester County Board of Commissioners presented Eastern Propak with a certificate of appreciation supporting small businesses and New Jersey Farmers on achievements to support the local community.

“Eastern Propak has 145 employees and a business model that combines the two things that make New Jersey great: agriculture and innovation,” Deputy Director Heather Simmons of the Gloucester County Board of Commissioners said in the release. “Eastern Propak makes a real difference in the community. The jobs that are created make this a vibrant community. The Ellis Street corridor where this is located has grown and changed over the last several years in part because of the investment that Eastern Propak has made here.”

How Jersey Fresh emphasizes food quality, safety

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:09:45 GMT

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.

Jersey Fresh raises awareness of Garden State fruits and vegetables

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 14:03:19 GMT

Jersey Fresh has been raising awareness of Garden State fruits and vegetables for decades, and the work continues in 2023.

“During the peak marketing window for Jersey Fresh, we target local, New Jerseyans and vacationers to the Garden State with an array of tactics,” said Christine Fries, coordinator of agricultural marketing for the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Jersey Fresh program is an almost 40-year-old marketing and quality-grading program she said.

“We believe reaching people multiple times in varying locations helps us to build awareness and excitement around local, Jersey produce availability,” Fries said.

Jersey Fresh uses a digital billboard campaign throughout highly traveled New Jersey roads, and it sponsors traffic and weather reports on radio stations throughout the state to reach people in their vehicles, she said. The program uses social media marketing — including Instagram and Facebook posts featuring recipe videos, market and product availability information, produce facts and more — to engage people on Jersey Fresh social media platforms.

“We also specifically target beachgoers by having a Jersey Fresh airplane banner running up and down the coast each weekend throughout the Jersey shore season,” Fries said.

Local is local

The New Jersey Legislature passed a law in 2022 regulating that fresh produce sold in a retail outlet in New Jersey under the terms “local,” “locally grown” or “locally sourced,” must be grown in New Jersey. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture associates Jersey Fresh and “local” in its marketing efforts, she said.

USDA data shows that most New Jersey fruit and vegetable shipments occur from June through September.

“New Jerseyans are proud to support their local, Jersey growers and always have been,” she said. “We are the Garden State after all!”

Consumers have increasingly desired to know where their produce comes from, and that has only increased since the pandemic, Fries said.

“And in many retail stores, people are not only informed on where their produce comes from but also who their produce comes from,” she said.

Getting ready

Jersey Fresh is constantly promoting what is in season through its marketing efforts, Fries said.

“Our billboards, radio spots and social media creative messages shift as products become available to ensure consumers and customers are aware of what is available at any given time,” she said.

“We also have a weekly ‘Jersey Fresh Availability and Forecast’ report that we distribute via email and our website ( Find Jersey Fresh ) to notify industry professionals about what our product availability, quality and quantities look like plus explain what to anticipate in the next coming weeks and months,” she said.

Working with retailers

Each season, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture provides retailers with POP materials such as bin wraps, pennants, price cards, banners, hats, reusable shopping bags and aprons to help them highlight that their local, New Jersey produce is indeed Jersey Fresh, Fries said.

Jersey Fresh program participants can use the Jersey Fresh logo on their packaging, she said.

Special promotions

For the past couple of seasons, and again this year, Jersey Fresh will return to the Jersey shore to give away Garden State blueberries, tomatoes and peaches, Fries said.

“We’ll be set up and ready to promote and celebrate our hardworking farmers and the incredibly delicious produce they grow on the boardwalks of Wildwood, Atlantic City and Seaside Heights,” she said. “Visitors to our tent will again be able to spin a prize wheel and win Jersey Fresh giveaways perfect for use at the beach such as koozies, baseball hats, reusable shopping bags or lip balm. We also will be adding new giveaways to the mix this year — sunglasses and rally towels!”

Special promotion days include:

Blueberries: July 10 (in honor of National Blueberry Month).
Tomatoes: August 7 (in honor of National Farmers Market Week).
Peaches: August 22 (National Eat a Peach Day).

New Jersey ag businesses get guidelines for COVID-19

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:56:04 GMT

For more COVID-19 related news click here.

New Jersey officials and produce leaders are grappling with how to mitigate the health and safety of the state’s people as it is the second-most dangerous U.S. state for the new coronavirus, COVID-19.

By May 23, the state had almost 11,000 deaths due to COVID-19 and 152,700 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New York has more than twice the death toll, with 28,800 coronavirus deaths by that time.

To that end, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy issued COVID-19 guidance May 21 on working conditions, as well as testing and treatment procedures, to help agricultural businesses and farmworkers lower the risk of and potential exposure to COVID-19.

Thousands of seasonal farmworkers, migrant and local, come to New Jersey farms in the spring and have to work close by their coworkers, plus they often rely on employer-provided group transportation and camp-style housing.

“Protecting seasonal workers on these farms is a high priority because they work and live in close proximity to one another,” state health commissioner Judith Persichilli said in a news release.

“The health department is working with growers, local health departments and our federally qualified health centers to minimize that risk and to ensure that once they are tested, follow-up and isolation and quarantine plans are in place for workers,” she said in the release.

Once a worker is suspected or diagnosed with COVID-19, the state guidance advises employers to contact the local health department and immediately assign the worker a separate bathroom and provide separate living space or alternate housing, if effective isolation in their current living space is not possible.

Workers who were in close contact with the affected workers are to be screened and watched for symptoms.

Costs related to testing and treatment for COVID-19 will not be charged to the employer or worker, according to the news release.

“Any hospitalization or isolation housing provided by the state of New Jersey will not be charged to employers or workers,” the guidance said.

The guidance also sets out conditions for when employees can return to work and outlines existing employment-based protections for workers.

That guidance prohibits employers from firing or punishing an employee who requests or takes time off due to a medical professional’s determination that the worker has or is likely to have COVID-19. Most workers will be eligible for paid sick time if they contract COVID-19 and also may be eligible for workers compensation if they get COVID-19 while working, according to the release.

“We have a responsibility and an obligation to make sure these workers — and the farmers who hire and house them — maintain safe and healthy workplaces in which to harvest and bring to market the state’s crops,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo.

Strict food safety protocols already in place have made following this kind of guidance less daunting, said Bill Nardelli Jr., vice president of sales and marketing for Nardelli Bros. Inc., which has its Nardelli Lake View Farms, cooling and packing facilities in Cedarville, N.J., and its distribution center in Vineland, N.J.

“It’s been a good basis to work off of,” Nardelli said, mentioning his company’s third-party audits with Primus and USDA.

He also wanted to thank the workers at the retail and distribution levels.

“You can’t say enough about the people working at the stores, from the distribution at the warehouse to the store-level clerks, produce managers and all the people,” Nardelli said.

“They’re doing a great job for everybody and really helping get the products to the store shelves where people really need them.”

Many growers, packers, shippers and marketers have detailed COVID-19-updated safety policies on company websites. That includes indoor farms.

As part of its standard operating procedures based on third-party audits at indoor aeroponic, vertical AeroFarms , Newark, N.J., employees wear personal protective equipment including a hairnet, face cover, safety gloves, glasses and overcoat. The company’s HVAC filtration systems have a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating of 13.

Before entering the AeroFarms workplace, employees are evaluated with infrared thermometers and sent home if symptomatic. Surfaces are being sanitized multiple times a day, more hand-sanitization stations were established, and the company is enforcing social distancing, promoting work-from-home when possible, and equipping drives with more sanitation supplies.

The automated characteristics of indoor agriculture that don’t require many workers in one place have been an advantage during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Carmela Cugini, executive vice president of sales at Bowery Farming , New York. The compay has two indoor farms in Kearny, N.J.

Bowery’s operations haven’t been affected so far during the new coronavirus, Cugini said.

Like other farms, Bowery already had strict food safety standards in place and has stepped up sanitizing, cleaning, social distancing and added masks.

“By using our machine learning and using vision sensors, we really don’t have anybody growing in the farm, and we have very few people operating the farm,” she said.

For the employees who pack the leafy greens and herbs, food safety and government guidance is followed.

“We’re talking to them every day, trying to understand their situation. If people have to flex their hours because of childcare, we’re allowing that to happen. We’re doing things like preparing meals for them to take those meals home and not just for themselves, but for them and their family,” Cugini said.

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How indoor, vertical Bowery Farming is faring during COVID-19
New Jersey crops even out after warm, cool spells
New Jersey marketers highlight locality and shift with times

New Jersey peach growers prepare for harvest

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:37:36 GMT

New Jersey peach farmers are preparing for a harvest season with pandemic protocols protecting farm workers.

“Growing peaches is a labor-intensive process,” Santo John Maccherone, owner of Circle M Farms near Salem, N.J., said in a news release. “We strive to grow the very best peaches without cutting corners on the process of food safety and a safe environment for our workers.”

Maccherone expects a good peach crop with a few gaps in harvest due to low temperatures during flower bloom. Circle M will offer white- and yellow-fleshed peaches and nectarines, plums, flat “donut” peaches, peach cider and salsa.

Duffield Farms anticipates a normal harvest season, beginning harvesting its peaches in early July.

“We have enough fruit in some blocks to warrant heavy thinning to not only reduce crop load but to also improve size and quality,” Matt Duffield, of Duffield Farms, said in the release.

Duffield Farms will carry white- and yellow-fleshed peaches and nectarines.

Sunny Valley International , Glassboro, expects to have respectable volumes of peach and nectarine crop to market this season.

“We foresee growers working very closely with state and local officials following protocols and protecting all workers,” Bonnie Lundblad, of Sunny Valley, said in the release.

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Nardelli Bros. continues tray-pack corn

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:55:59 GMT

Hugh Branch, South Bay Fla., is in its second year partnering with Nardelli Bros. Inc. , Cedarville, N.J., offering its corn for the New Jersey company’s tray-pack operation.

“We’re really excited for that,” said Bill Nardelli Jr., vice president of sales and marketing.

“I think our packaged items have given us a lot of good exposure, and people are looking for that in stores.”

Nardelli Bros. plans to begin its Jersey Fresh corn about July 4, and have it packaged for retailers.

“We’re continuing to try to do as many items in our overwrap as we can. Whatever our retailers are looking for,” he said.

The company is also wrapping peppers, pickle cucumbers and beans.

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Local, regional produce gains consumer interest

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:16:37 GMT

Companies have their own definition of what “local produce” means, but the consensus is the closer the better.

Calling U.S.A.-grown produce “local” is a bit of a stretch when it’s cross-country. Regional is better, and in-state is even better.

And produce that’s grown within 150 miles of consumption? Pretty much the best.

When it comes to tropical fruit and root vegetables, grown in South Florida is pretty local, said Jessie Capote, executive vice president of Miami-based J&C Tropicals . His family has been farming in the Homestead and Redlands agricultural areas of South Florida since 1963, growing items such as avocados, mangoes, dragon fruit, the boniato variety of sweet potato, lychee, starfruit, mamey sapote and limes.

“Before local was trending, we’ve been Florida-grown,” Capote said. “It’s an enormous part of our marketing effort. We’re very proud of our heritage.”

In all of J&C Tropicals’ labeling it says “J&C Tropicals Homegrown,” from the the PLU sticker on each piece of fruit and the packaging to in-store demontrations, retailer point-of-sale materials and all marketing and advertising.

July is right smack in the middle of South Florida’s tropical produce high season, which runs April through November.

About 30% of the company’s annual distribution comes from Florida and the rest is imported, but during this time of year, about 70% of the produce is from Florida, Capote said.

Some grocery stores are even growing produce within the store, such as the mushrooms at Whole Foods Market in Brooklyn, N.Y., where there is also a leafy greens grower on a rooftop greenhouse, Gotham Greens.

Hudson, Ohio-based Free! Leafy Greens, another hydroponic grower in controlled environment agriculture, ships salad greens to retailers as far as 200 miles from the farm, usually within 48 hours after harvest.

The concept for this company’s hands-free, fully automated cultivation method came in 2017, and the greenhouse started operating in February, said Mark Chenoweth, executive vice president of sales and marketing.

“Business has been great. Many retailers are reducing their conventionally grown product, choosing greenhouse-grown product due to the increased safety and freshness,” Chenoweth said.

State-grown brands

Most state agriculture departments offer state-grown, and sometimes certified, marketing tools featuring a logo, such as “Fresh from Florida,” “Maryland’s Best,” “Jersey Fresh,” “CA Grown” and “Go Texan.”

Launched in 1984, Jersey Fresh was possibly the first state-branding initiative of produce grown in the state.

“This year, with the stay-at-home orders in place and reduced traffic on New Jersey roadways, we opted to launch our season with targeted online display and responsive ads reaching primary shoppers who have shown an interest in fresh produce, and introduce billboards and radio as more and more people began to use their vehicles again,” said Joe Atchsion III, director of marketing and development at New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

All participants have access to Jersey Fresh point-of-purchase materials, including banners, price cards, bin wraps, pennants, stickers, truck decals, hats and aprons, along with a digital version of the Jersey Fresh logo in each company’s different marketing efforts.

Direct marketing and farmers markets

The steep drop in foodservice customers for growers has meant finding new revenue streams, such as direct marketing and farmers markets, both which can keep the produce distribution local.

State agriculture departments, such as Georgia and North Carolina, have created interactive maps and lists of where consumers can do curb-side pickup of produce from their local farmers.

Georgia’s department launched a Georgia Grown To-Go program, offering contactless drive-through markets around the state to support the state’s farmers.

The Atlanta State Farmers Market, which is also a wholesale market terminal, saw an increase in consumers shopping at the retail side, said Jeff Howard, markets manager.

“The pandemic, I think it’s brought more people outside. I think they learned to appreciate open-air shopping a little more. I walk this market every single day and talk to different vendors, and everyone’s talking about the uptick in sales,” Howard said.

The same is true in the Northeast.

Farmers markets didn’t close, even in New York City, which was once the epicenter of the pandemic.

“Farmers markets are reporting increases in business year-over-year, which they are attributing to COVID-19 and peoples’ desire for local products,” Atchison said.

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Medoff Produce satisfies PACA order

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:13:36 GMT

Domanth Inc. , doing business as Medoff Produce, can once again operate in the produce industry, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The New Brunswick, N.J., company satisfied a $9,990 reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act and it can operate in the industry after applying for and receiving a PACA license, according to a news release.

Dominic R. Bellifemine, listed as the officer, director and major stockholder of the business may be employed by or affiliated with a PACA licensee.

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EPC leadership group tours New Jersey’s Wightman Farms

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:56:34 GMT

The Eastern Produce Council ’s Leadership Program visited Morristown, N.J.-based Wightman Farms — the fourth leg of the program that included a tour and team-building exercises.

The program has five components: three site visits and educational sessions, a Food Safety Modernization Act training seminar and a conference hosted at the annual New York Produce Show in December, according to a news release.

The first two on-site events were at the Gloucester Port Terminal and Greenyard Logistics in March and Rutgers Snyder Farm in June.

At Wightman Farms, lead farmer Adam Costello gave the participants a tour of the grounds, detailing the history of the establishment and allowing them to pick some apples and flowers.

Rutgers University Professor Stan Elson, co-adjunct instructor for the Office of Continuing Professional Education, led an afternoon session. Elson talked about development and corrective coaching, as well as building a team.

Leadership Program members will receive a certificate of completion at the Dec. 12 keynote breakfast before the expo at the New York Produce Show.

For more information, visit www.easternproducecouncil.com .

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NJ-based AeroFarms receives sustainability award, launches microgreens

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:19:20 GMT

Newark, N.J.-based AeroFarms won the Responsible Business Award for Sustainable Innovation at the Ethical Corporation Awards, a Reuters event.

Members of the indoor vertical farming and agriculture technology company gathered Oct. 2 in Westminster, London, to receive the award, according to a news release.

The Responsible Business Awards recognizes companies that have developed sustainable innovation in a circular initiative or technology-enabled project. The awards program celebrates innovation that moves the company from a linear to a circular model.

“It’s about how we can do more with less and how we can reimagine agriculture,” said Marc Oshima, AeroFarms co-founder and chief marketing officer.

Other finalists included Tesco, ABinBev, ThermoFisher Scientific and Max Premium Burgers.

At the event, Paul Rice of Fair Trade USA won the 2019 Business Leader Award. Little Freddie, an organic baby food company, won the New StartUp Award.

AeroFarms is a Certified B corporation , meaning it’s a business that meets standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.

“B Corps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy,” according to the B Corporation website.

AeroFarms is designed so that its operations and business can embody circular thinking, according to the release:

The aeroponic growing towers are a closed-loop system, recycling water and nutrients with little waste;
The patented growing system mists plant roots with nutrients, water and oxygen, using up to 95% less water than field farming to grow pesticide-free produce; and
The company’s patented, reusable cloth medium is made out of 100% recycled materials for seeding, germinating, growing and harvesting.

In 2019, AeroFarms changed its mission statement to emphasize a commitment to do a lot more with a lot less, to lift the world’s understanding of plant biology, and to enable local food production at scale all over the world.

“We firmly stand by the idea that business should fundamentally be a force for good and have designed our business model keeping in mind that all our stakeholders, like our plants, should thrive: from the environment to our community to our investors to our customers,” AeroFarms CEO David Rosenberg said in the release.

Microgreens

The company also just launched two microgreen mixes — Micro Super Mix and Micro Spicy Mix — under its Dream Greens line of pesticide-free, non-GMO baby greens.

The super blend has kale and cabbage. The spicy blend has arugula and mustard greens. Microgreens are harvested earlier than their mature counterparts and are more nutrient-dense.

The products, which are pre-washed and ready to eat, are available at Whole Foods locations in the Northeast and at online grocer FreshDirect.

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New Jersey crops even out after warm, cool spells

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:56:04 GMT

With the way the crops in New Jersey are going, you would hardly know there’s a pandemic.

“In June, we’ll be rolling strong,” said Bill Nardelli Jr., vice president of sales and marketing for Nardelli Bros. Inc ., Cedarville, N.J.

“Even with this whole COVID-19 pandemic we’ve been going through, we’ve stayed pretty steady.”

A mild winter gave way to a chilly spring in New Jersey, causing some growers to plant earlier than previous years but harvest at typical times.

“Mother Nature always has a way of evening things out,” Nardelli said.

Early crops show good size and quality, which is expected to continue as the Garden State’s summer and fall seasons unfold, said Joe Atchison, marketing and development director of the state’s Department of Agriculture, Trenton, N.J.

“While it is early in the season, the outlook is positive,” Atchison said.

Related content: Snapshot: NJ produce season through the eyes of Nardelli Bros.

The Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey reported that a few farmers had a bit of a slowdown, but by May 20, they were back on track in the fields, agriculture commissioner Douglas Fisher said on a May 23 video for the Eastern Produce Council , New Providence, N.J.

Sweet corn was about two feet tall in southern Jersey, he said.

“There are tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash all coming along, as well as a large variety of greens, looking very fine and being harvested right now,” Fisher said in the video.

As May unwound and June kicks off, growers were finishing up asparagus and strawberries while still harvesting leafy greens, spinach and herbs. Squash, beans and cucumbers start in June and continue into July, when growers start with volumes of sweet corn, tomatoes, peaches, eggplant and peppers, among other specialty crops, Atchison said.

The New Jersey Peach Promotion Council reported that peaches should start about July 1, “and we’re expecting an excellent, healthy crop,” Fisher said in the video. An especially cold week in May helped the thinning process, so losses were minimal, according to the peach council.

BY THE NUMBERS

Some of New Jersey’s biggest specialty crops are blueberries, peppers, peaches, asparagus, cranberries, squash and spinach, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

In 2019, the state harvested:

9,300 acres of (not wild) blueberries, yielding 5,090 pounds per acre for a total of 47.3 million pounds and $85.3 million value;
3,500 acres of bell peppers, yielding 33,600 pounds per acr to produce 117.6 million pounds, worth $45.9 million;
3,900 acres of peaches year, yielding 10,000 pounds an acre to produce 39 million pounds and a $25.7 million value;
2,000 acres of asparagus, yielding 3,584 pounds per acre, for a production of 7.2 million pounds, valued at $16.3 million;
2,700 acres of cranberries, yielding 196 barrels per acre for a production of 529,000 barrels and $14.5 million value;
3,200 acres of squash, yielding 10,080 pounds per acre for a total of 32.3 million pounds and a $13.7 million value; and
1,900 acres of spinach, yielding 13,440 per acre for a total of 25.5 million pounds and a $6.7 million value.

In June 2019 alone, New Jersey shipped 17.8 million pounds of blueberries, compared to 16.4 million pounds in June 2018, according to USDA’s annual Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Shipments report.

Peaches came next by weight, followed by nectarines and cranberries.

Related content: New Jersey produce news

FAMILY FARMS

After the unseasonably cool spring that delayed harvesting most crops seven to 10 days, the warming trend before Memorial Day should help Consalo Family Farms , Egg Harbor City, N.J., catch up on production.

That will “put all vegetable crops in full swing,” said Chelsea Consalo, vice president of produce. The Consalos also have a farm in Hammonton, a sales company, Freshwave Fruit and Produce, in Vineland, N.J., and farm partnerships nationwide.

Blueberries are at the front edge their season, which should run through July, Atchison said.

Consalo’s initial estimates were to begin harvesting the New Jersey blueberry crop June 3-5. Instead, because of the cooler weather, she expects to begin about June 13.

Meanwhile, Consalo Family Farms began harvesting cooking greens and herbs May 1 and romaine and leaf lettuce May 8.

“Even though the cool weather caused delays in harvest, it has resulted in outstanding quality on all of our items,” Consalo said.

Customers can expect a full line of New Jersey vegetables and blueberries during the spring, summer and fall with great sizing and quality, she said.

Nardelli Bros. also has farm partnerships elsewhere but grows more than 80 commodities during New Jersey’s season, said Nardelli, part of the fifth generation who runs several hundred acres of family farms with his brother, Jimmy Nardelli II, vice president of production and operations, and their father, Bill Nardelli Sr., president.

Founded in 1898, the company also has cooling and packing facilities in Cedarville, a distribution center in Vineland, N.J., and a fleet of trucks to deliver the products to retail stores.

The Nardellis’ New Jersey season starts with asparagus in mid-April, continuing all the way through to summer dry items, such as peppers, cucumbers and squash, and then back to wet items such as lettuces and greens until Thanksgiving.

In June, the company will have a lot of wet greens, Nardelli said: romaine, red leaf, green leaf, Boston, endive, escarole, many cooking greens, parsley and cilantro.

Cabbages — green, red, savoy, napa, bok choy — come in early June. Come mid-June, expect green and yellow squash, then cucumbers. By the end of June and early July, Nardelli Bros. will harvest peppers and three flavors of corn.

June is prime time for variety from the Nardelli farm as spring and summer harvests intermingle.

“We can put as many as 30 items on one truck. That gives our customers a lot of variety with two seasons overlapping a bit,” Nardelli said.

About 90% to 95% of the acreage is conventional crops, but the Nardellis are gradually adding more organic crops to meet rising demand, he said.

INDOOR AGRICULTURE

While southern New Jersey is full of open, green, rural farmland, northern New Jersey — especially the densely populated northeastern region just across the Hudson River from New York City — is another beast entirely.

A growing trend there, as well as at other Northeastern urban areas, is indoor, controlled atmosphere agriculture, particularly vertical farms.

Related content: How indoor, vertical Bowery Farming is faring during COVID-19

Vertical farms, in which rows of crops are stacked one on top of another using LED lights and automated growing systems, are mainly reserved for leafy greens and herbs that don’t require much space and have quick growing cycles.

Bowery Farming’s headquarters is in Manhattan, but its original farm, which is now a research and development farm, is in Kearny, N.J. The company has since created a second farm in Kearny allowing for 30 times more output than the first farm, according to the company.

There are multiple grow rooms with different temperatures and humidity capabilities for different types of crops.

It’s a commercial, hydroponic, automated indoor farm to serve brick-and-mortar retailers within a 150-mile radius in the tri-state area, said Carmela Cugini, executive vice president of sales.

The proprietary technology includes machine learning, which means that all the growing tricks learned at the first farm are already in place at the second, where even more advancements can build upon the foundation of knowledge, Cugini said.

Bowery Farming grows arugula, baby kale, bok choy, butterhead lettuce, kale mix, romaine, spring blend, basil, cilantro and parsley.

Close by in Newark, N.J, there’s AeroFarms, another indoor vertical farm using its own proprietary technology to grow, not hydroponically, but with a patented aeroponic system that uses a mist of nutrients, water and oxygen and no sun or soil. The company began in 2004.

It’s in season year-round at these vertical farms.

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New Jersey marketers highlight locality and shift with times

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:37:42 GMT

Judging by early returns from on-farm markets, there is a high demand for Jersey Fresh produce this year — lagging foodservice business not withstanding.

Many on-farm markets have reported that they are busier early in the season than in previous years, said Joe Atchison, marketing and development director of the state’s Department of Agriculture in Trenton.

“We are also encouraging people to insist on Jersey Fresh produce being in their supermarkets as it comes into season. This will be of tremendous help to our farmers and is a great way to support the local economy,” Atchison said.

New Jersey growers anticipate full crops and are prepared to deliver those goods to stores, he said.

ShopRite Supermarkets comprises the most of the market share in New Jersey, ranging from 21.6% to 28.8%, according to according to second-quarter 2020 regional market share data from Shelby Market Research.

Acme and Stop & Shop follow closely behind in the 20% range, while the rest are significantly lower.

Overall, demand this season from retail customers has been excellent, said Chelsea Consalo, vice president of produce operations at Consalo Family Farms , Egg Harbor City, N.J.

“Unfortunately, COVID-19 has devastated the foodservice and terminal-market business that most growers rely upon during their season,” Consalo said. “So far, this has resulted in lower market prices than normal this spring across the board on our vegetable crops.”

Because of the indoor, vertical, hydroponic, automated way Bowery Farm , New York, grows at its Kearny, N.J., farms, the company is able to be very flexible when demand fluctuates wildly, said Carmela Cugini, executive vice president of sales.
“Of course we’ve seen an increase in demand, no question,” she said.

The commercial New Jersey farm supplies more than 100 retail locations in the tristate area.

Bowery’s online grocer partners, such as Amazon Fresh-Whole Foods and Instacart, are also a big part of that jump.

“We’re still seeing a surge of online buying, and 40% of those consumers will stay online even after COVID, a fact shared by IRI,” Cugini said about data analytics company Information Resources Inc.

“When you look at our existing core business, it’s shifting. More people are going online, and we’re seeing those numbers continue to grow.”

Grocery foot traffic in the New York metropolitan area is down as much as 50% to 70%, and nationally, it’s down about 30%, according to Food Marketing Institute, she said.

“We’re actually still seeing growth but not at those spike levels we were,” Cugini said.

Naturally, given the two-month quarantine in New Jersey, people are going to the store less often, and they’re stocking up their baskets more.

“And what we do know is when someone puts a fresh item in their basket, it delivers the highest basket ring for the retailer. And when someone puts a vertically farmed item in their basket — and we did a study on this — when someone puts a Bowery farm item in their basket, it will ring up the highest basket in the store,” she said.

At beginning of the pandemic, Nardelli Bros. Inc ., Cedarville, N.J., had “Thanksgiving-type demand” from many retailers, said Bill Nardelli Jr., vice president of sales and marketing.

“They’d come in with these huge orders and then be off for a little while, which now we’re correlating with people leaving the house once a week, or beginning of the week, and then going back in and doing their quarantine,” he said. “So we’re trying to figure it out as best as we can.”

Consumers were gravitating to the items that have a longer shelf life, such as root vegetables, cabbages, and hard squash. They were holding back on some of the more tender items, but now retail demand has increased on most every item, he said.

RETAIL PRICES

On May 22, a pint of blueberries at Northeast retailers was an average of $3.18, compared to $2.63 at the same time last year, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Market News.

Yellow-flesh peaches on May 22 were $1.87 per pound at Northeastern retailers, compared to $1.86 the previous year.

Eight-ounce packages of flat baby spinach were an average of $1.67, compared to $1.73 the previous year.

Green bell peppers were an average of $1 each both years. Green, round cabbage was 57 cents per pound compared to 62 cents the year before.

Two popular spring crops were priced better this year than last by the end of May.

Green asparagus, which is finishing its 2020 season, sold for an average of $3.29 per pound on May 22, compared to $2.72 the same time last year.

One-pound packages of strawberries sold for an average of $2.66 on May 22, compared to $2.57 same time last year.

MARKETING STRATEGY

Because New Jersey growers and marketers serve the most populated region of the U.S., they use that locality as a competitive edge and marketing tool.

Nardelli Bros. has the “Fresher by Miles” registered trademark and offers overnight delivery to Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York, Nardelli said.

The company also uses the state agriculture department’s Jersey Fresh branding on twist tags, stickers, boxes and labels.

“We’re big supporters of Jersey Fresh program and label that on all our products,” he said.

Early in the season, marketing efforts have been more digital-based as many people are staying home and using laptops, computers and phones, said Joe Atchison, marketing and development director of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Trenton.

“As the state re-opens, and there are more vehicles on the road, we will return to using digital billboards on major roadways and radio advertising to promote Jersey Fresh,” Atchison said.

June is a great month to be marketing New Jersey products because there is so much variety available, Nardelli said.

“We consider it a one-stop shop for retailers and wholesalers,” he said about his family company’s ability to put as many as 30 different items on one truck for a retailer.

The majority of Nardelli Bros.’ business is from major retailers, although it does “quite a bit” of foodservice business as well, he said.

Some of Nardelli’s foodservice partners have changed business models to survive the government-mandated closures and quarantining measures during the pandemic, such as offering at-home delivery.

COVID-19 aside, consumers have been wanting more packaged items, more organic options and lesser-known varieties, Nardelli said.

Foodies want not-so-mainstream leafy greens, like endive and bok choy.

“Since it became trendy, now kale has become a staple in their diets. It’s been a consistent, steady item for us, and we hope it will maintain that going forward,” he said.

Most recently, Chelsea Consalo of Consalo Family Farms, Egg Harbor City, N.J., is seeing a shift into larger pack sizes for blueberries.

“The norm over past years was for retailers to carry only one size packaging, mostly pints. We are seeing more and more requests for pints combined with larger sizes, like 18-ounce and 2-pound, from our retail customers,” Consalo said.

The New Jersey Peach Promotion Council reported that it’s working with retailers to make advance volume commitments, focusing on bulk traypacks, and grab-and-go 2-pound bags — “pack styles that should be appealing to your customers in this new normal that we’re adjusting to,” state agriculture commissioner Douglas Fisher said on a May 23 video for the Eastern Produce Council, New Providence, N.J.

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EPC golf outing brings industry together

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:46:30 GMT

A tradition for the Eastern Produce Council , its annual golf outing, became much more this year for the organization, which typically has a calendar full of events.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the EPC has been forced to cancel numerous events or shift them to online video events, from monthly dinner meetings, Leadership Class presentations, annual Volunteer Night and its Casino Night gala.

The 45th Annual Sal Zacchia, Phil LaRocca and Pete Piastra Memorial Golf Outing on Sept. 12 was the first official gathering for the group in months.

Originally scheduled in June, the golf event was postponed because of the pandemic, according to a news release.

Susan McAleavey Sarlund, EPC executive director, thanked members for supporting the event and the golf committee, which was committed to bringing members together for the first time in what has been an unprecedented period for the industry, according to the release.

The event was at the Fox Hollow Golf Club in Branchburg, N.J.

The top two teams scored 59, but a team consisting of Derrick Bender, Ed Rummel, Sam Cefalu and Anthony DeAngelis broke the tie. Second-place team members were Michael Rojas, Angela Aronica and Daniel Milan, according to the release.

Other winners were:

Michael Rojas and Theresa Lowden, longest drives;
Michael D’Arrigo, Rich Borchers, Brian D’Arrigo and Steve Tirado, closest to the pin; and
Michael Hungerbuhler, putting contest.

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EPC family apple-picking event, sunshine entices good attendance

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:48:19 GMT

While many industry events are canceled, Eastern Produce Council has reveled in a couple annual outdoor events that enabled members to attend safely during a pandemic.

The 6th annual Joe DeLorenzo Family Apple-Picking Event on Oct. 3 drew about 100 people — “about the same as last year,” said Susan McAleavey Sarlund, EPC executive director. The event was at Melick’s Cider Mill and Orchard, Oldwick, N.J.

The day was almost better than last year because it was so hot in 2019, said Deanna Keefer, daughter of the event’s namesake, as her children ran in circles around her and her sister, Gina Lucia.

“My dad was all about family,” Keefer said. “Family was No. 1. We’re honored they keep his memory alive and do this every year.”

About 40 members of Lorenzo’s family attended, they said.

“I remember he’d tell us how to pick produce. He was obsessed,” Lucia said. “I’d call him from the store, and ask, ‘How do I pick a cantaloupe?’”

Macoun, empire, golden delicious, red delicious, cortland, and jonagold apple varieties were available for picking.

Hay rides at the orchards were available, or participants could meander the rows at leisure.

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Eastern Produce Council's Family Apple-Picking Event

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:48:19 GMT

Many members and their families attended the 6th annual Joe DeLorenzo Family Apple Picking Event, hosted Oct. 3, by Eastern Produce Council at Melick’s Cider Mill & Orchard, Oldwick, N.J.

New Jersey Peach Promotion Council elects new chairwoman

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:55:59 GMT

Bonnie Lunblad was elected chairwoman of the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council.

She succeeded Santo John Maccherone who is vice chairman.

Lunblad is a senior sales representative at Sunny Valley International , Glassboro, N.J., the largest marketer of New Jersey peaches.

“I look forward to continue working to promote New Jersey peaches and the quality fruit our growers tirelessly work to produce,” Lundblad said in the release.

The New Jersey Peach Promotion Council, a voluntary organization, includes growers, packers, shippers, marketers and allied industries dedicated to marketing and promoting New Jersey peaches.

Tom Beaver was elected as a director of the council. Serving as the former director of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s division of marketing and development, Beaver is director of sales and marketing at Sunny Valley International.

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