NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CELEBRATES JERSEY FRESH TOMATO SEASON DURING NATIONAL FARMERS MARKET WEEK

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) will mark National Farmers Market Week on Monday, August 4, by promoting Jersey Fresh tomatoes with special appearances at Atlantic City, Wildwood, and Seaside Heights beach locations. Beginning at 11 a.m. and while supplies last, NJDA staff will hand out free Jersey Fresh grape tomatoes to beachgoers, encouraging residents and visitors to enjoy the local tomato harvest.
New Jersey is recognized as one of the top ten tomato-producing states in the U.S., with the 2023 season generating 60 million pounds of tomatoes valued at $36.2 million on 2,400 acres, according to USDA data. The state's tomato season extends through the end of October, offering consumers access to flavorful and fresh produce widely celebrated for its quality. Distribution points on August 4 include the end of New York Avenue near Rita’s Water Ice in Atlantic City, East Schellenger Avenue by the Wildwood boardwalk near Morey’s Piers, and near the end of Grant Avenue in Seaside Heights. The NJDA encourages everyone to incorporate Jersey Fresh tomatoes into their meals as a healthy, locally grown option throughout the growing season. National Farmers Market Week, running from August 3 to 9 this year, celebrates the importance of farmers markets in providing fresh, locally sourced foods and supporting agricultural communities.