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Tuesday's and Friday's through September

A collaborative effort by Rutgers, Johnson & Johnson and the city of New Brunswick will bring a two-times weekly fresh produce market catering to nutritional needs and tastes of residents. The market will be located on the border of Rutgers' Cook Campus

The New Brunswick Community Farmers Market is being launched this week at the intersection of Jones Avenue and Sandford Street with the support of a grant to Rutgers by Johnson & Johnson. The health care products manufacturer, whose world headquarters are located in New Brunswick.

In addition to fresh produce, the market, operated by Rutgers' School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, will provide programs on nutrition and food preparation, along with activities for children.

The effort embraces the mission of the university's Rutgers Against Hunger initiative, which was established by President Richard L. McCormick last fall to address the issues of hunger and food scarcity through education, research and civic engagement.

"Thanks to the generosity of Johnson & Johnson and the support of the city, this collaborative effort makes it possible to address multiple needs by providing local residents with access to fresh, healthful foods, as well as to nutrition information that can have long-term impacts on their health," McCormick said. "The market represents the positive role that public-private partnerships can play in their communities."

"One of the goals of the Farmers' Market is to provide affordable, culturally appropriate nutritious fruits and vegetables and nutrition education to help influence healthy lifestyle choices," said Colleen Goggins, worldwide chairman, Johnson & Johnson consumer group and executive committee member. "This initiative continues a long partnership Johnson & Johnson has had with Rutgers and the city of New Brunswick to assist the local community and its residents."

According to William Hallman, director of the Food Policy Institute, who spearheaded Rutgers' effort to create the market, the Community Farmers' Market was conceived to serve neighborhoods that have limited access to a variety of nutritious fresh foods and food education.

"It will be a place where people can buy both familiar "Jersey Fresh" fruits and vegetables as well as more exotic produce essential to the diverse cuisines enjoyed by city residents," said Hallman. "It will also be a family-friendly gathering place for the community, where local farmers, artisans, and craftspeople can sell their goods, and a place where people can taste new foods, learn new recipes, and buy the ingredients to make them at home." For those who don't have time to cook for themselves, a variety of fresh ready-to-eat foods also will be available at the market.

The market will be open on Tuesdays from noon to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 2 to 7 p.m. through September. The market will accept SNAP (Food Stamps), WIC, and coupons from the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).

— GARRETT MORRISON, NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM