Princeton NJ Non-Profit Press Releases

TRENTON FRESH: NEW FARMERS’ MARKET TO OPEN JUNE 12 IN EAST TRENTON

TRENTON FRESH:

new FARMERS’ MARKET to OPEN JUNE 12 IN EAST TRENTON

will close the gap between local produce and urban neighborhoods

** NEWS MEDIA invited TO THE OPENING **

TRENTON, NJ—TRENTON FRESH Farmers’ Market will have its grand opening Saturday, June 12, 11:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. on the corner of N. Clinton and N. Olden Avenues in East Trenton. TRENTON FRESH produce will be sold by New Jersey farmer Judy DeFiccio of Pineland Farms.

“The capital of the Garden State is a food desert,” said Jarrett Kerbel, executive director of the Crisis Ministry of Princeton and Trenton. “The goal of TRENTON FRESH is to close the gap between providers of fresh, locally grown produce and underserved neighborhoods in Trenton.”

TRENTON FRESH is a collaborative project of the Mercer Food Council. The Council’s members include the Crisis Ministry, Isles Inc., Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, East Trenton Collaborative, New Jersey Farm to School Network, Mercer Street Friends Food Bank, Mercer County Board of Social Services, and the City of Trenton. The initiative has been made possible in part from support by New Jersey Manufacturers, a major funder of the East Trenton Collaborative.

Pineland Farms, a mainstay at the Trenton Farmers Market, will be the anchor farm vendor through September.

TRENTON FRESH will increase access to local produce to improve health and wellness among low-income, urban populations who are plagued by disproportionally high levels of diet-related disease. Market days will also include health screenings, cooking demonstrations, and health and wellness programs. “The goal,” said Kerbel, “is a sustainable, market-driven venture.” Vendors will sell produce and also accept food stamps using a wireless Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) machine.

A branch of the project, Trenton Fresh – Mobile, will match local neighborhoods with farmers who will sell from their trucks.

Members of the media are welcome to the opening. To arrange prior interviews with project leaders, please contact Sarah Unger at the Crisis Ministry: 609-396-9355, ext. 27, or sarahu@thecrisisministry.org.