Allows Counties to Create Marketing Labels to Promote Local Products

The Senate has approved legislation sponsored by Senators Dawn Addiego (R- Burlington, Camden, Atlantic) and Steven Oroho (R-Morris, Sussex, Warren) that allows counties to create labels to help promote local agricultural products.

Based on the success of the “Jersey Fresh” marketing program, S-2444 would authorize New Jersey counties to create, adopt, and issue their own promotional labels to market agricultural products that are grown, processed, or produced in a specific county.

“There is no denying that the Jersey Fresh program has been a resounding success,” Senator Addiego (R-Burlington, Camden, Atlantic) said. “Imagine how much our farms, wineries, and mom-and-pop shops would benefit if we had the ability to localize this initiative. Creating ‘made in your county’ labels is a great way to encourage our residents to shop local and support the business owners right in their own backyard.”

According to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, food and agriculture account for the State’s third-largest industry, with 9,000 farms comprised of 720 acres. The Garden State is a national top-ten producer of fruits and vegetables, with a wide range of products from eggplants to blueberries.

“Farming has a long tradition of providing the Garden State with over 100 different fresh fruits and vegetables,” stated Oroho. “Granting counties the ability to adopt a unique ‘Jersey Fresh’ logo will add to the proud farming industry as the label reflects their personalized produce. Farm-to-Table legislation will continue to enhance New Jersey’s local farms and provide incentives to buy locally grown fruits, vegetables, eggs, and many other neighborhood products.”

The legislation now heads to the Governor’s desk.