Look at that corn on the cob. Does it make you hungry? It’s the corn I bought yesterday at the farmers market, and it was delicious. In New Jersey, we grow the worlds best corn on the cob, don’t we? Don’t you think that all of our residents should have access to this seasonal treat?

Governor Corzine thinks so and he’s thinking smart. He’s making getting fresh food to the hungry a priority while helping out our local farmers here in New Jersey. I may not like everything our governor does, but for this he gets an A plus.

Last week, the governor visited the Food Bank of New Jersey in Pennsauken and “encouraged continued partnerships between the state’s food banks and local farmers to bolster the local economy and New Jersey’s agricultural community.

“Since the beginning of our Hunger Initiative in 2006, we have seen more food that is supplied and grown right here in the Garden State being distributed to those who need it the most,” Corzine said. “Our partners have remained committed to maintaining a dependable, consistent supply of nutritious food for our families in need.

    “I want to encourage our network of food banks, soup kitchens and food pantries to continue to strengthen their partnerships locally to purchase Jersey Fresh products, as it supports our local economies, our businesses, and our agricultural community.”

This is good. This is smart. It helps those who are having trouble making ends meet have access to healthy food – not just canned soup from a food pantry. It helps our local farmers who need all the support they can get. And in the end, it helps all of us. Healthier NJ residents mean less burden on our tax dollars. Farms that receive a little extra support during this recession may still be here when the recession is over. 

There doesn’t seem to be any specific guidelines for the percentage of Jersey Fresh products the food banks need to purchase, but our state can provide plenty of good, fresh local food. Those who are in need right now should have access to the same blueberries, zucchini, tomatoes, peaches and world’s best corn on the cob that those of us who are more fortunate have.