By: Richard L. Smith
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) will celebrate National Blueberry Day on Monday, July 8, with special visits to the shore towns of Wildwood, Atlantic City, and Seaside Heights. NJDA marketing staff will be on hand to distribute free Jersey Fresh blueberries to beachgoers.
“We are excited that visitors to the Jersey Shore have this opportunity to sample Jersey Fresh blueberries during National Blueberry Day from our farmers here in the Garden State,” said NJDA Secretary Ed Wengryn.
“This event has been very popular since starting it in 2021, and we anticipate there will be high demand for delicious Jersey Fresh blueberries.”
Blueberries will be available beginning at 11:30 a.m. until supplies last at the following locations:
- The end of East Schellenger Avenue at the boardwalk near Morey’s Piers in Wildwood - The end of New York Avenue on the boardwalk near Rita’s Water Ice in Atlantic City - Along the boardwalk in Seaside Heights
Blueberries were the No. 1 crop in New Jersey for 2023, with a production value of $92.1 million, according to the USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service. New Jersey annually ranks in the top seven in the U.S. in the production of blueberries.
Farmers in the Garden State harvested 50 million pounds of blueberries on 10,800 acres last year.
The National Blueberry Day promotion is taking place in conjunction with the New Jersey Blueberry Industry Advisory Council.
The blueberry season for New Jersey lasts through the end of July, with production peaking at 250,000-300,000 crates per day. Blueberries are low in calories and high in nutrients, making them a healthy snack option.
For more information on where to find Jersey Fresh blueberries locally and for recipes, visit www.FindJerseyFresh.com.