Ag Department: Jersey Fresh Strawberries in Season

TRENTON — Jersey Fresh strawberries are here and the plump, juicy and delicious fruit is available now at community farmers markets, pick-your-own farms and roadside farm markets in the state, including many in Cape May County.
According to a release from the state Department of Agriculture, harvesting of the popular spring crop began at the beginning of May and should continue through early June.
Strawberries are a part of a healthy diet, providing a good source of vitamin C. Strawberries should not be washed until ready to eat because their high water content, on top of the additional water, will result in a mushy berry. Once the caps are removed, an enzyme is released that destroys the vitamin C. Be certain to remove the caps after rinsing to prevent the strawberry from becoming waterlogged and from losing vitamin C content.
Look for strawberries that are plump and firm with a bright red color and natural shine. The size of the berry is not important; the color of the berry and the fragrance are the best indicators of flavor. Caps should be fresh, green and intact. Avoid strawberries with green or white color, or those that appear mushy, shriveled or leaky. Strawberries do not ripen after harvest, so they should be immediately stored in the refrigerator and picked as close to consumption time as possible.
When purchasing, check the carton for stains, which indicate over-ripeness. Remove the strawberries from the market or store container. Store in a shallow container on a paper towel in the refrigerator for up to three days. If a shallow container is not feasible, put paper towels between the layers. Remove from the refrigerator and serve at room temperature for optimum flavor.
While delicious in baked goods, strawberries are tasty raw, especially when served with a liqueur or when dipped in chocolate. Preserve as a jam, or easily freeze by coating in a water and lemon juice mix.
To find Jersey Fresh strawberries and other Jersey Fresh products at farm markets or pick-your-own farms, visit the Jersey Fresh website at www.jerseyfresh.nj.gov.
Search for Jersey Fresh strawberry recipes at www.state.nj.us/jerseyfresh/recipes/index.html.
Look for Strawberries Cape May County Roadside Markets
Avalon Produce Market
2909-2931 Ocean Dr., Avalon
Directions: GSP S to Avalon Exit, Avalon Blvd. to left on Ocean Dr., market on right
Phone: (609) 967-3909, Fax: 609-624-3714
Email: avalonseafood@hotmail.com
Web site: www.avalonseafood.com
Open: Seasonal Memorial Day – Labor Day, daily 8 am – 8 pm
Roadside Market: Jersey corn, tomatoes, blueberries
Also Available: Bakery items, home-made pies, prepared home-made: tuna salad (from real tuna), shrimp salad, chicken salad, potato salad; didp; tomato salsa; fresh squeezed orange juice; party trays; everything made from scratch
Boulevard Produce Market
521 Sea Isle Blvd. , Ocean View
Directions: Off Exit 17 on the Garden State Parkway South
Phone: (609) 624-1253, Fax: (609) 624-1329
Email: danasgalio@yahoo.com
Open: Year round, Closed Wednesday in the off season
Roadside Market: Full year round selection of fruits & vegetables, local produce when available
Also Available: Full deli, hoagies and sandwiches, fresh bread, Conte’s Pasta of Vineland, roasted coffee, healthy snacks, large selection of cheses & crackers
Butterwood Farms
501 Butter Rd., Palermo
Directions: Between Stagecoach & Tuckahoe Rds.
Phone: (609)390-8721
Open: Seasonal, Self-service
Available: Mar. – Sept.: Perennials & garden design; Mid-Nov. – Dec. Fresh holly and evergreen wreaths, grave blankets, centerpieces
Franks Farm Market
400 Rt. 9 S, Rio Grande
Directions: Rt. 9 S, 1/4 mi. from Rt. 9 & Rt. 47 intersection
Phone: (609) 886-1362
Open: Daily, 8 AM – 6 PM
Roadside Market: Home-grown vegetables in season
George’s Farm Market
Rt. 631, Marmora
Directions: 1 mi. W of Rt. 9 on Rt. 631
Phone: (609) 390-9119
Open: Mid-Apr. – Oct. 31, 9 AM – 6 PM
Roadside Market: Tomatoes; asparagus; strawberries; corn; peaches; blueberries; cantaloupes; apples
Also Available: Bedding & vegetable plants
Hand’s Farm
3131 Route 9 S, Rio Grande
Directions: Route 9 South
Phone: (609) 463-0550
Open: 5 months throughout the year, 7 days a week 8 am- 6 pm
Roadside Market: Most truck vegetables
Apple Varieties: Gala, Empire, Red Delicious, Yellow Delicious
J.C. Hazlett
570 Rt. 47 N., Goshen
Phone: (609) 861-5551
Email: jcfarm@dandy.net
Roadside Market: Certified organic vegetables
Also Available: CSA farming
Legates Farm Market
3400 Bayshore Rd., Cape May
Phone: (609) 886-5513
Open: Daily June – Nov., 8 AM – 6 PM
Roadside Market: Fruits; vegetables
Also Available: WIC and Senior FMNP checks accepted
Lehner Farms & Nursery
175 South Route 47, Green Creek
Directions: Rt. 47 South at mile marker 9
Phone: (609) 465-0245
Open: April 1 – October 25
Roadside Market: Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, watermelons, cantaloupes, peaches, strawberries, blueberries, apples, squash, yams, pumpkins, fall squash
Marlboro Farm Market II
Rt. 47, Green Creek
Phone: (609) 886-2524
Open: Apr. – Oct., 9 AM – 5 PM
Roadside Market: Fruit; vegetables; pumpkins
Also Available: Nursery; bedding & vegetable plants; cider; mums; WIC and Senior FMNP checks accepted
Myers Farms
425 Rt 47 N, Goshen
Directions: West Side of Rt. 47
Phone: (609) 465-8777
Open: Daily, June thru Nov., 8 AM – 8 PM
Roadside Market: Sweet corn; tomatoes; potatoes; cantaloups; watermelons; peppers; eggplant; beans (green, lima, pole); squash; cucumbers; pumpkins; peaches; apples; nectarines; plums; sweet potatoes; yams; butternut; acorn
Also Available: Stalks; straw; Indian corn; gourds
No Frills Farm
1028 Seashore Rd., Cape May
Directions: South of West Cape May Bridge
Phone: (609) 884-8209
Open: Apr. – Oct.
Roadside Market: Corn; cantaloupes; tomatoes; peaches; pumpkins; herbs
Also Available: Bedding plants; flowers; mums; Indian corn; grave blankets; Christmas greenery
Rea’s Farm Market
400 Stevens St., West Cape May
Directions: South of Cape May Canal in W. Cape May at intersection of Bayshore Rd. Stevens St. & 4th Ave.
Phone: (609) 884-4522
Open: May – Dec., daily, 9am – 6pm
Roadside Market: Farm fresh produce, fruit, drinks, home-made jellies, pies, other canned farm fresh items, gifts
Pick Your Own: Pumpkins
Also Available: Nursery items, flowers, etc., fall hay rides to pumpkin patch
Robinson and Sons, Inc
2408 Bayshore Rd., Villas
Directions: Off Rt. 47 in Green Creen, turn at light onto Bayshore Rd.
Phone: (609) 886-3190
Open: July – October, Daily, 8 am – 8 pm
Roadside Market: Fruits; vegetables
Also Available: WIC and Senior FMNP checks accepted
Sea Grove Farm Market
2665 Rt. 9, Ocean View
Directions: Rt. 9, 1/4 mi. N of Sea Isle Blvd.
Phone: (609) 624-3540
Open: Mid-June – Mid-Sept., 9 AM – 6:30 PM
Roadside Market: Fresh fruits & vegetables
Specialize in peaches 3 lbs/$1.00 in season
Seaside Gardens
716 Sea Shore Rd., Lower Twp.
Phone: (609) 884-5333
Open: Weekends at Easter; Daily, Mem Day – Lab Day, 9 AM – 6 PM
Roadside Market: Jersey produce in season; fruits
Also Available: Cut flowers
Somers R. Hand Farm
161 Stipson Island Rd., Eldora
Open: Daily
Available: Hay to local farmers
Wheeler’s Farm
488 Delsea Dr., Goshen
Directions: Rt. 47 mile marker 15 (look for Red Produce Stand)
Phone: (609) 465-4927
Open: May 1 – Oct., 9 AM – 5 PM
Roadside Market: Corn; peppers; tomatoes; pumpkins
Also Available: Flowers; jelly
Community Farm Markets in Cape May County
Lower Township Farmers Market
Recreation Center Grounds, 2600 Bayshore Rd., Villas, Lower Township
Directions: Behind Township Hall
Phone: (609) 886-7880, x 9/ Zach Zelwak
Email: zzelwak@townshipoflower.org
Open: July 9th-Sept. 3rd, Fridays, 3pm-7:30pm
Community Farmers Market: Variety of fruits & vegetables
Ocean City Farmers Market
5th & 6th Streets, on Asbury Avenue, Ocean City
Directions: Tabernacle Grounds
Phone: (609) 399-1412 – Shawnda McGinnis
Email: info@oceancitychamber.com
Web site: www.oceancityvacation.com
Open: July 7th – August 25th, 2010, Wednesdays, 8 am – 1 pm
Community Farmers Market: Variety of fruit and vegetables
WIC & Seniors FMNP vouchers accepted by some farmers
Stone Harbor Farmers Market
Water Tower Lot, 95th and 2nd Ave., Stone Harbor
Phone: (609) 368-1924 / Anne Wannen
Email: annek20@comcast.net
Open: June 27th – September 6th, 2010, Sundays, 8-am-12:30pm
Community Farmers Market: Fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh baked bread and cakes, fresh local seafood, cheeses, honey, flowers, fresh ground coffee, nursery stock.
West Cape May Farmers’ Market
732 Broadway, Borough Hall Back Yard Park, West Cape May
Directions: Behind the fire hall
Phone: (609) 884-1005 x 9 – Annie Mollock
Open: June 30th – Sept. 1st, Tuesdays, 3pm – 7:30pm
Community Farmers Market: Variety of fruits & vegetables
WIC and Senior FMNP vouchers accepted by some farmers
Woodbine Farmers Market
Rt. 550, Woodbine
Directions: Downtown vacant lot across from Capt Scrap
Phone: ((609) 464-0290 – Stacey
Open: June 25th – Oct., 2010, Saturdays, 9am-2pm
Community Farmers Market: Variety of Fruits and Vegetables.