(TRENTON) – Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher today announced the Grand Prize Winner of the 2019 #FindJerseyFresh Challenge photo contest is Sarah Licata, a food blogger based in Merchantville in Camden County.

The grand prize for Licata is a $500 gift card to a business that features Jersey Fresh produce. Her place of choice was the A.T. Buzby Farm in Salem County. Licata sources some of her fruits and vegetables from that farm to feature in recipes she posts on her blog, saltjar.com.

Throughout the 2019 season, the Department of Agriculture encouraged Jersey Fresh fans to submit photographs from all over New Jersey to highlight fruits and vegetables by posting photos on social media using the #findjerseyfresh hashtag. There were more than 1,000 photos submitted in this year’s contest.

The winning photo by Licata featured a table of cherry tomatoes of different colors during the Burlington County Farmers Market at the Burlington County Agricultural Center.

“I am passionate about helping people make the most of fresh, seasonal food,” Licata said. “My No. 1 food rule is local first because enjoying the harvest of seasonal, local food is healthiest for your body and for your mind.”

Licata goes to several different farmers markets throughout the season to find Jersey Fresh produce.

“I’ve spent my summer exploring different local markets and vendors,” she said. “I’m excited to promote the bounty New Jersey has to offer.”

#FindJerseyFresh challenge participants entered the contest by sharing photos on the Jersey Fresh Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages from June 12 through September 3.

“The response we received from the #FindJerseyFresh contest demonstrates the love that people have for the highest quality produce that our farmers strive to grow each year,” Secretary Fisher said. “The fact so many take the time to participate is an example of how much appreciation people in New Jersey have for locally grown fruits and vegetables. We encourage everyone to visit www.findjerseyfresh.com to find the produce they love.”

Established in 1984 by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the Jersey Fresh logo was designed to inform consumers which fruits and vegetables were grown in the Garden State. The Jersey Fresh logo guarantees the produce was grown in New Jersey. The state grows more than 100 different varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs.

About Salt Jar

Saltjar.com highlights simple, seasonal recipes featuring New Jersey produce. The recipes focus on the kind of food that gathers a family for a meal, is accessible to everyone at the table, and comes together effortlessly.

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