There’s more than just vegetables for sale at New Jersey’s farm stands this growing season.
Buying locally grown products will help New Jerseyans reduce their carbon footprints, improve their health, and help state farmers keep their land out of the hands of developers.
When residents purchase Jersey-grown food, they are reducing energy and oil consumption, since doing so does not require the same shipping and transportation efforts. They are also reducing pollution for the same reasons and because in most cases less packaging is involved.
Besides helping to alleviate these global concerns, consumers of locally grown products will likely find that this food simply tastes better. Direct from the field to the fork, state farmers harvest fruits and veggies at the peak of freshness, nutrition and taste and don’t have to use chemical preservatives and irradiation to artificially extend shelf life when selling directly to the customer.
Local food is often safer, too. Even if the heirloom tomato at the farmers market isn’t certified organic, it was likely produced on a smaller farm that is less aggressive in its chemical use and more aggressive in its soil protection, crop rotation and biodiversity than large factory farms that continue to threaten long-term food security.
We challenge more New Jerseyans to become locavores, consumers who seek out locally produced food. Even members of the dining-out set can support New Jersey farmers by patronizing restaurants that use Jerseygrown produce. Towns can do their part by setting up community farmers markets and Community Supported Agriculture programs on their public lands.
State, county and local officials should continue to find ways to help farmers subsidize costs as land prices in the state continue to be the highest in the country. Officials should also consider redevelopment possibilities, such as using empty industrial and warehouse buildings for hydroponic farming that could help state farmers extend their growing season.
We also support resolutions, such as the one proposed by Sen. Steve Oroho (R-24), that would encourage food service providers in the state to use Jersey-grown products.
Now more than ever, with Gov. Jon Corzine’s recent threat to eliminate the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, is the time for New Jersey residents to support their local farmers to ensure the garden forever remains in the Garden State.