Aug 3, 2020 Supporting Local Farms with the KidsFit Program

fresh veggies at the farmers marketWalking through the supermarket produce section, have you ever wondered where that head of lettuce grew or what farm those bell peppers were from? Me neither! It’s easy for the roots of our produce to slip our minds when we’re scrambling all over the supermarket getting groceries for the week.

Although convenient to the consumer, out-of-state supermarket produce is picked way before ripeness in order to survive the many states it travels across to get to the produce aisle. Premature harvesting of fruits and vegetables contain fewer vitamins and minerals and less flavor than those that are harvested and sold at the peak of ripeness. Luckily, Farmers Market produce is often cheaper and ensures that you and your family are getting the most nutritious, delicious bang for your buck and supporting local family owned farms. A trip to the Farmers Market is a great way to teach your children where fruits and vegetables really come from and interact with the farmer who grew them!

Find a Farmers Market near you

What is Jersey Fresh?

(Source: https://findjerseyfresh.com/)

Jersey FreshCollectively, New Jersey farms grow over 100 different varieties of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. “Jersey Fresh” is a program established by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture that ensures a quality standard of freshness. You can still support local farmers shopping at the supermarket by buying produce with the Jersey Fresh logo next to it!

Offers more than fruits & veggies

Discover colorful varieties of produce you’ve never seen in grocery stores, such as Tuscan, Sea, or Russian Red Kale. Some Farmers Markets also sell fresh baked goods like breads and pastries, local honey, and fresh cut flowers. You might even find eggs left out on the table, unrefrigerated! Unwashed eggs have a protective layer that prevents bacteria from getting inside the shell, allowing them to be safely stored on the counter and not in the refrigerator. However, farmers selling dairy and raw meats and poultry should be out over ice, if not refrigerated. One trip to the Farmers Market can provide you and your family with such a variety of meals: a colorful, flavorful Mediterranean salad; green beans or cucumbers for pickling; peppers and squash for grilling, etc! Plus, some Farmers Markets accept SNAP/EBT, WIC Farmers Market Checks, and Senior Farmers Market Checks.

Find out what’s in season

These KidsFit recipes include ingredients you can find at the Farmers Market:

Zucchini Noodles with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce
Sweet & Crunchy Coleslaw

From Farm to Home: the Fridge or the Counter?

Where you store your fresh produce impacts its longevity; some fruits and veggies belong in the fridge, while others thrive on the counter. Here’s a list of what belongs in the crisp drawer of your refrigerator vs. the counter top out of the sun:

The Fridge:

  • Fruits
    • Apples
    • Cantaloupe
    • Figs
    • Plums
    • Apricots
    • Honeydew
  • Veggies
    • Cauliflower
    • Broccoli
    • Cucumber
    • Cabbage
    • Lettuce
    • Brussel Sprouts

The Counter or a cool, dark space out of the sun

  • Peaches and Nectarines
  • Avocados
  • Bananas
  • Watermelon
  • Tomatoes
  • Garlic
  • Onions
  • Potatoes

Visit The Beth Greenhouse Farmers Market!

The Beth Greenhouse in Newark, NJ grows salad mixes, spinach, kale, collard greens, Swiss chard, Bok choy, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, herbs and more! Open outdoors every Thursday from 11am – 4pm and located on the corner of Osborne Terrace and Lehigh Avenue in Newark, NJ. In-person and contactless ordering available. We accept SNAP, WIC, and Senior Farmers Market checks.

Order online between Thursday 8:00 am – Monday 5:30pm

The Beth Greenhouse Farmers MarketLearn more about our KidsFit pediatric weight management and wellness program.