Nancy and Ray Painter of Edible Jersey Receive New Jersey Agricultural Society Award
Nancy and Ray Painter of Edible Jersey have received the New Jersey Agricultural Society’s 2024 Phillip Alampi Industry Marketing Award. NJAS President Joni Elliott presented the award to the Edible Jersey co-founders and publishers at the society’s annual luncheon held in February during the 2024 NJ State Agriculture Convention in Atlantic City.
Established in 1986, the award recognizes an individual or organization that excels in promoting New Jersey agriculture with innovative ideas designed to create or enhance markets to increase sales. It is named for Phillip Alampi, who served as NJ’s Secretary of Agriculture from 1956 to 1982.
In accepting the award, Nancy Painter noted that, since its debut in 2007, the magazine’s mission has been to help consumers better understand and connect with the people who grow and produce their food in New Jersey. “Receiving this award today means the world to us,” she said to the more than 250 agriculturally focused individuals in attendance, “because it makes us feel that we may have achieved that mission in some small measure. We are honored to receive the award and have been honored to share your stories.”
Commenting on the award selection, Newell Thompson, executive director of the New Jersey Agricultural Society, said that “local community food is a vital part of New Jersey’s rich heritage. Edible Jersey’s coverage of the farm-to-table opportunities is a valuable resource for all of us and we are pleased to recognize Nancy and Ray for their dedication and hard work publishing this valuable resource.”
Edible Jersey celebrates the local food of the Garden State, telling the stories of the farmers, vintners, food artisans, chefs, and others who energize New Jersey with authentic, locally based food choices. It also publishes a series of guides throughout the year to promote New Jersey farmers’ markets, wineries, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, culinary destinations, and more. In addition to its quarterly print magazine, Edible Jersey produces a biweekly e-newsletter focused on food and farming news and events and shares content via its website and social media platforms.
Nancy Painter of Edible Jersey, and Newell Thompson, Executive Director, NJ Agricultural Society