The Alternative Press

WEST ORANGE, NJ - The 2012 West Orange Farmer's Market launched yesterday with a special visit from NJ Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher and Jef Buehler of the Department of Community Affairs' Main Street NJ program. Denise Esposito, head of the Downtown West Orange Alliance, who coordinates efforts with Main Street NJ, and Jack Sayers, Town Administrator, along with town staff, were also on hand to celebrate the launch of the market despite the sweltering heat.

 

The secretary applauded the efforts of Main Street NJ and the DWOA, and encouraged residents to come out to purchase fresh produce from local farmers. Many summertime crops arrived early this year, and blueberries, raspberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, and peaches are in abundance. 

 

Main Street NJ has helped to open and support 148 farmer's markets in NJ, and 10 new ones are scheduled to open this summer. Main Street NJ works in conjunction with the Downtown West Orange Alliance, which is a non-profit organization that encourages economic revitalization of Tory Corner, Eagle Rock, St. Mark's, and the Valley sections of town. Last year, Main Street NJ's 25 designated communities, including West Orange, held 136 special events bringing nearly 200,000 visitors to their downtowns and promoting positive media and business growth.

 

Families on WIC (Women, Infants and Children), along with the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) provide vouchers from the USDA (administered by the State Department of Health and Senior Services) to receive $ 20 in checks to qualifying individuals for locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs at the Farmer's Markets.   The West Orange Farmer's Market also accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) electronic benefits transer cards to pay for produce.

 

The West Orange Farmer's Market is open each Friday from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. and is located in the Town Hall parking lot at 66 Main Street. Be sure to bring cash for your purchases.

 

For more information on Main Street NJ, visit www.mainstreetnewjersey.com.

For more information on the Downtown West Orange Alliance, visit www.downtownwestorange.org.

For more information on WIC and Senior FMNP, visit www.state.nj.us/agricultural/divisions/md/prog/wic.html.