(TRENTON) – New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher today announced the Made with “Jersey Fresh” logo is available to companies who make food items using New Jersey’s agricultural products. '
“Jersey Fresh is an immediately-recognizable 26-year-old brand, which has become synonymous with fresh, nutritious and locally grown,” said Secretary Fisher. “Foodstuff identified with the Made with ‘Jersey Fresh’ logo will benefit from the same brand identity, letting consumers know that the products are made using only the freshest, best-tasting, nutritious local ingredients.”
New Jersey’s produce season runs from May to November. Incorporating Jersey Fresh products into processed foods extends the season to year-round. It also expands distribution well beyond the region.
For a food processor to utilize the Made with “Jersey Fresh” logo, they must first become licensed to use the Jersey Fresh logo. Then, they must use products that are inspected through the Jersey Fresh Quality Grading Program. Those products must adhere to specific criteria for grading and quality.
For dairy products, to be able to use the “Made with Jersey Fresh Milk” logo, the item must be made with raw milk obtained from New Jersey dairy farms, licensed under the Jersey Fresh Quality Grading Program, and must comply with all Jersey Fresh standards for milk.
Secretary Fisher attended the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City on Sunday, June 27, to visit the Jersey Fresh booth and promote the new opportunity to food processors. The show, presented by the National Association of Specialty Food Trade, is attended by as many as 24,000 people.
At the show, Fisher unveiled a poster highlighting the products that already bear the Made with “Jersey Fresh” logo, including: tomato sauces, canned tomatoes, frozen vegetables, frozen, breaded eggplant, various types of mozzarella, colby and cheddars, cheesecake, and salsa.
The Made with “Jersey Fresh” logo is supported by Rutgers Food Innovation Center in Bridgeton, which assists small and start-up food processors with manufacturing and marketing their products. The Center has provided assistance to several companies that have gone on to produce Made with “Jersey Fresh” items.
“I encourage food processors to take advantage of this fabulous opportunity to capitalize on New Jersey’s high quality farm products in the production of their food items,” said Fisher. “Consumers seek out in the marketplace the Made with ‘Jersey Fresh’ logo as a mark of quality and distinction.”
Source: New Jersey Department of Agriculture
