(SOUTH HARRISON) – New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher kicked off the 2019 #FindJerseyFresh Challenge today at Hill Creek Farms in Gloucester County. Last year’s winner, Amber Egorov, picked a basket of apples at Hill Creek Farms for the winning photo.

The 2019 #FindJerseyFresh photo contest is in its fifth year and will last through Sept. 4. People are encouraged to post photos of favorite fruits and vegetables found at markets and pick-your-own farms using the #FindJerseyFresh hashtag on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The grand prize will be a $500 gift card to where the winner likes finding Jersey Fresh produce the most. There will also be weekly winners who will receive a New Jersey-shaped bamboo cutting board.

“We have so many great locations that grow and sell Jersey Fresh produce, we know the creative abilities of people in the Garden State will shine through once again in the #FindJerseyFresh Challenge,” Secretary Fisher said. “Jersey Fresh produce is pleasing to the taste buds and the eye as our farmers produce high quality fruits and vegetables year after year. We had more than 1,200 entries last year and we know consumers will be enthusiastic in joining the Find Jersey Fresh Challenge once again.”

This year’s contest will feature a weekly winner from photographs posted on social media using the #FindJerseyFresh hashtag. Starting Wednesday each week, contestants will have until the following Tuesday to post their #FindJerseyFresh photos. The weekly winner will be announced each Wednesday on the Jersey Fresh Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

Egorov’s winning photo from last year featured a basket of apples after a day of picking at Hill Creek Farms. Egorov, who is a teacher in Vineland, regularly posts recipes on her blog, www.theinseasonkitchen.com and also writes for www.njspots.org, where she has interviewed local farmers and written about Jersey tomatoes, peaches, blueberries, and cranberries.

“One of my favorite things to do is find Jersey Fresh produce and be creative with different recipes,” Egorov said. “I loved using the apples from Hill Creek last year and enjoy the variety of items that become available throughout the growing season. I can always count on our farmers delivering great tasting fruits and vegetables that make recipes taste so delicious.”

Hill Creek Farms is 63 acres and has more than 14,000 apple, Asian pear, plums, nectarine and cherry trees. Hill Creek also grows more than 35 vegetables for its farm fresh market which features a “Farm to Table” eating experience on Friday and Saturday nights. During the day, its loft eatery has both a fixed menu and a living menu that changes with the vegetables picked at peak color and flavors. The market also has an on-site bakery, café bar and a cider mill.

“Having Jersey Fresh produce available for our customers is a top priority for us,” said Hill Creek Farms President Fred Sorbello. “We love being a place that helps the Garden State add to its reputation of growing wonderful fruits and vegetables.”

To learn more about Jersey Fresh, visit www.FindJerseyFresh.com, Facebook at www.facebook.com/JerseyFreshOfficial, Twitter @JerseyFreshNJDA or Instagram @JerseyFreshNJDA.

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To learn more about the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NJDeptofAgriculture and Twitter @NJDA.