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Farmers Markets Blossom Over Past Decade In New Jersey

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - If you like fresh fruits and vegetables, they've gotten easier for you to find in New Jersey, WCBS 880's Monica Miller reported.

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"Back in 2001, there were only about 35 community farmers markets and this year we're starting out with almost 150," the state Agriculture Department's Lynne Richmond told Miller.

More: NYC's 5 Best Farmers' Markets, 2012

An unseasonably warm March gave local farmers an early start when it came to selling people their favorite produce.

Richmond said that some favorite crops are now ripe for the picking.   "Blueberries are now available, they're being harvested," she said. "We're even hearing from some farmers in South Jersey that they're harvesting sweet corn, which we don't normally see until maybe just before the 4th of July."

Richmond said different varieties of fruits, vegetables, and herbs are also making it into the mix due to New Jersey's growing diverse population.

"There is a huge Asian pear farm in Mercer County," Richmond said.

To find a market near you, visit the Agriculture Department's Jersey Fresh website.

Where is your favorite Jersey Fresh farmers market? Please share that in the comments section below.

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