The Jersey Fresh Days were held to help promote local farmers and inform consumers about the availability and variety of fruits and vegetables grown in New Jersey. The state currently grows more than 100 different varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs, and is ranked nationally in the top ten producers of such items as blueberries, peaches, bell peppers, squash, tomatoes and cranberries.

The Metz team at Newton Hospital showcased local produce by incorporating it into special dining menus for the employees, which featured items such as pasta primavera with Jersey Fresh veggies, Jersey burger with fresh tomato, ratatouille, gazpacho, and grilled chicken with peach and apple salsa. “What makes Jersey Fresh produce so special is the quality and freshness of the items,” said Lisa Wakefield, general manager, Metz & Associates, Ltd. at Newton Hospital. “When a commodity is featured as Jersey Fresh, it is guaranteed to meet a certain quality standard for size, shape and coloring, and it is at its peak of ripeness, ensuring important vitamins and minerals are retained.”

In addition to the special menu items, a farmers market, featuring locally grown fruits and vegetables, flowers, homemade pies, doughnuts and honey, was also held, allowing for hospital employees to purchase items to bring home. Local produce vendors, Windy Brow and Lentini’s Produce, participated in the farmer’s market. There was an array of nutritional information and recipes available for all of the featured produce items, as well as a Bravo Chef Demo Station. At the demo station, Metz chef and retail manager, Matt Rusnock, created Jersey Fresh Veggie Cocktails, which consisted of a cup of freshly cut to order veggie sticks with an assortment of dips. Rusnock also educated the crowd on knife skills and discussed different preparations for the various vegetables.

“The farmer’s market was such a hit with hospital employees that our vendors had to return to their farms several times throughout the day for additional produce,” Wakefield said. “We are proud to help keep the farming tradition alive in New Jersey through our promotion of area farmers and local produce. We will be planning additional Jersey Fresh Days throughout the coming year.”

Metz & Associates, Ltd., a premier food service company for the Northeast United States, provides dining and environmental management to clients such as hospitals, assisted living & long-term care facilities, school districts and independent schools, colleges and universities and corporate offices. For more information on Metz & Associates, Ltd., visit our website at www.metzltd.com or call 570.675.8100.