TRENTON, N.J. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded New Jersey agricultural organizations $801,000 in Specialty Crop Block Grants to support 14 projects aimed at promoting the state’s diverse array of specialty crops. The grants are intended to enhance the market presence of Garden State products such as fruits, vegetables, and nursery crops.
The funding is part of the USDA’s ongoing efforts to promote specialty crops nationwide, which include fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture, and floriculture. In New Jersey, these crops account for more than 80 percent of the state’s $1.5 billion in annual agricultural sales.
“The Specialty Crop Block Grant program not only helps New Jersey promote our ‘Jersey Fresh’ program,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn. “We use these program dollars by supporting additional marketing activities across commodities and organizations to maximize the messaging for local healthy foods.”
The 14 projects funded by the grants will focus on a range of activities designed to enhance the visibility and sales of New Jersey’s specialty crops. These include marketing campaigns, research on crop health and resilience, and initiatives to improve the distribution and availability of locally grown produce.
The Specialty Crop Block Grants are a critical component of the USDA’s strategy to stimulate food and agriculturally based economic development. By supporting these projects, the USDA aims to bolster the competitiveness of New Jersey’s specialty crops in the marketplace, ultimately benefiting both producers and consumers across the state.
