Urban farm in Newark addresses concerns over cyclosporiasis outbreak impacting fresh produce
NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- As cases and concern over cyclospora continue to grow across the country, a small business owner in New Jersey is sharing how they are adapting to the challenge and assuring customers that the produce they provide is safe.
Eyewitness News met up with two professionals in the local food industry at an urban farm in Newark.
They are hailed for providing fresh produce from their grounds and from area farms.
Fairgrown Farm's co-owner James Klett says Jersey-grown produce is not affected.
"This parasite is really coming into the greater New Jersey area through international produce," Klett said. "So, we'll have a farm maybe in Mexico or another country where the water that was used to irrigate the crop could be contaminated."
Federal food authorities have not been able to pin down the source or sources of the parasite that had sickened thousands of people across the country.
Dr. Leeja Carter of Coalition for Food and Health Equity, oversees many food giveaways and food pantries in the region. She says a safe food supply is always the main goal, but even more so right now.
"We really want folks to come right to our farm stands. We know that it's local and we know who we are partnering with. We're partnering with experts in care, experts in health, and folks that really take the health and wellbeing of their neighbors seriously," she said.
New Jersey is the garden state, and it's much more than just a slogan. The state and farmers are said to be hyper focused on keeping the produce grown here safe.
"Here we have very, very safe water. Even if some contaminated lettuce comes in to here, it can't spread on to our local farms in quite the same way," Klett said.
Produce from the state may be one way to prevent bringing potentially contaminated produce home.
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