Love Jersey Fresh? Show it with #JerseyFreshLove

Love Jersey Fresh? Then you'll really love "Jersey Fresh Love."

The State Department of Agriculture is running a social media contest to draw attention to the advertising, promotional and quality grading program, meant to help Jersey farmers promote the fruits and vegetables grown in the Garden State.

It's bringing back the "Jersey Fresh Love" campaign launched last year, asking fans to share their photos and experiences on farms, at famers markets, at wineries and at other agritourism venues. Participants can use the hashtag #jerseyfreshlove on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, or upload to the #JerseyFreshLove tab on Jersey Fresh's own Facebook page.

"There is an opportunity to win a grand prize" worth up to $500, state Agriculture Secretary Doug Fisher said. At the end of the contest, the one submission with the most votes gets that price, which Fisher described as "a choice of a JerseyFresh experience."

Also, each week, one winner will be chosen at random to receive a JerseyFresh apron, reusable shopping bag and car magnet.

Fisher said there are other prizes: "We have farm-to-table dining experiences, where they can have a meal with all Jersey Fresh ingredients at a local farm, or a Jersey Fresh restaurant with their family and friends. There is an agritourism adventure, where they can gather to go pick apples or do a vineyard or a wine-tasting, (or) a hayride."

He said New Jersey is an amazing state where we grow a hundred varieties crops, from peaches to zucchini to cranberries to blueberries.

"The list is really quite long," Fisher said.

The contest runs from May 18 through September 14, with voting through September 21st.

Joe Cutter is the afternoon news anchor on New Jersey 101.5.