Thumbs, at your mark (on your phone): The 2021 social media challenge, #JerseyFreshisCOOLER, has kicked off.
New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher visited Bertuzzi's Farm Market in Atlantic County to announce the photo contest launch, according to a news release. Last year's winner, Melissa Garcia, chose to use her $500 gift card at Bertuzzi's.
Participants in the 2021 contest can share their favorite photos of Jersey Fresh farmers, farms, markets or produce with the hashtag #JerseyFreshisCOOLER on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The grand prize winner will receive a custom Jersey Fresh YETI 75 Quart Cooler. The contest lasts until September 7.
“#JerseyFreshisCOOLER is a contest for the fans of Jersey Fresh to get involved and promote the amazing and wonderful crops that are grown here in the Garden State,” Fisher said in the release. “We encourage everyone to submit their entry and compete for some cool stuff.”
Along with the grand prize, there will also be weekly winners who will receive a Jersey Fresh prize pack including a backpack cooler filled with goodies, like an New Jersey shaped cutting board, a beach towel and a car magnet. Winners will be announced on the Jersey Fresh Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.
In 2020, hundreds of people and businesses submitted more than 1,000 photos from all over the state, highlighting their favorite fruits, vegetables, markets, pick-your-own farms and agritourism activities.
Garcia's winning photo featured the Cervini Family's self-serve produce stand located outside of Vineland that sells a variety of produce, including tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. Garcia, an architectural designer, loves to shoot photos of family and individual portraits, animal photography and architecture.
“I have always enjoyed using farm locations for many of my photos,” Garcia said in the release. “They bring about a natural atmosphere that generates an authentic scene. Choosing Bertuzzi's Market to spend my gift card was an easy decision, as they have been a part of agriculture in this area for so long.”
Bertuzzi Farm Market owner Joe Jacobs (left to right), New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Doug Fisher, market owner Caroline Jacobs and last year's winner Melissa Garcia, who chose to use her $500 gift card at Bertuzzi's.
Bertuzzi's Market has been a popular location in Atlantic County for the last 75 years.
The market is owned by Joe and Caroline Bertuzzi Jacobs, and they are in their 52nd year of running the business. They are in the process of turning over the operation to Joe Jacobs Jr.
Their produce selection throughout the season includes corn, tomatoes, string beans, peppers, peas, squash, eggplant, beets, cucumbers, blueberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, blackberries and pumpkins among others, including growing much of it on their 46 acres and selling it at the market.