NJ Dept. of Agriculture Kicks Off #FindJerseyFresh Contest

RELEASE: (BRIGANTINE) – New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher kicked off the 2018 #FindJerseyFresh Challenge today at Soulberri Coffee and Smoothies in Brigantine. Soulberri owner, Coley Gaffney was the winner of last year’s Jersey Fresh social media contest. The 2018 #FindJerseyFresh photo contest will last through Nov. 6. People are encouraged to post photos of favorite fruits and vegetables found at markets and pick-your-own farms using the #FindJerseyFresh hashtag on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

This year’s grand prize will be a $500 gift to where the winner likes finding Jersey Fresh produce the most. There will also be weekly winners who will receive a New Jersey-shaped bamboo cutting board.

“We are looking forward to the many creative photos that will be posted during the #FindJerseyFresh Challenge this year,” Secretary Fisher said. “The farmers here in the Garden State consistently produce high quality fruits and vegetables and the fact that we had more than 2,500 entries in last year’s contest proves that consumers here love the challenge of Finding Jersey Fresh.”

The Contest

This year’s contest will feature a weekly challenge to find a specific fruit or vegetable to photograph and post on social media using the #FindJerseyFresh hashtag. The new challenge will be posted on the Jersey Fresh Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages each Wednesday and contestants will have a full week to post their #FindJerseyFresh photos.

2017 Winner

Gaffney’s winning photo from last year, captioned, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year #tomatoes #harvest,” featured a colorful display of Jersey Fresh heirloom tomatoes.

“As someone who enjoys making different recipes and sharing them with others, the contest last year allowed me to gain a wider audience for myself and appreciate what others did as well,” Gaffney said. “With Soulberri, we are committed to sourcing as much Jersey Fresh produce as possible. It’s not only convenient to purchase ingredients locally, we also know from experience how good they taste.”

Soulberri Coffee

Soulberri Coffee + Smoothies sources Jersey Fresh produce from several local farms including strawberries, kale, and blueberries from B&B Farms; kale from Potato Homestead and Nino Levari; and locally produced honey from Busy Bee’s Honey.

“Soulberri’s efforts to source local Jersey Fresh produce during the New Jersey growing season are exceptional,” Secretary Fisher said. “We know the value and quality that our farmers bring to the table, and appreciate chefs and restaurant owners that understand the importance of supporting these farmers and the state’s economy, as well as priding themselves on serving the best quality food to their customers.”

To learn more about Jersey Fresh, visit www.FindJerseyFresh.com, Facebook at www.facebook.com/JerseyFreshOfficial,Twitter @JerseyFreshNJDA or Instagram @JerseyFreshNJDA.

 

To learn more about the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NJDeptofAgriculture and Twitter @NJDA.

 

Pictured at top, from left: SoulBerri Coffee and Smoothies owner Coley Gaffney, Secretary Fisher, Atlantic County Freeholder Caren Fitzpatrick, and Brigantine Councilman Richard DeLucry.