Jersey Tomatoes

In celebration of the successful agriculture industry in the Garden State, the BlueClaws, in partnership with Jersey Fresh, will become the Jersey Tomatoes on Thursday, August 6^th.

• BlueClaws players and coaches will wear "Jersey Tomatoes" hats and jerseys. The jerseys will be auctioned off with proceeds to benefit BlueClaws Charities.
• The first 500 adults will receive a pack of Scarlet Sunrise Tomato Seeds, courtesy of the Ocean County Master Gardners.
• Two specialty hot dogs will be available at Smokie’s on the third base concourse. These are a BLT hog dot dog, with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and garlic aioli, and a Mediterranean-style hot dog that includes feta cheese, diced tomatoes, diced cucumbers, tzatziki sauce. Plus, a special sausage with spicy tomato jam will also be available.
• There will be a series of tomato-themed in-game promotions.
• New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn will throw out a ceremonial first pitch.
• Director of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Division of Food and Nutrition Rose Chamberlain will sing the National Anthem.
• Jersey Fresh will provide cherry tomatoes to fans as they exit the ballpark.

"Agriculture like baseball is a vital part of New Jersey's identity, and this partnership with the Jersey Shore BlueClaws is an exciting way to showcase the quality and pride behind Jersey Fresh products", said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn.

"By bringing the Jersey Fresh message of quality and locally grown to thousands of fans throughout the season, we are putting a spotlight on the agricultural products and farm communities that make New Jersey a national leader in fresh produce bringing the best of the garden state to your home plate."

The Garden State

Abraham Browning of Camden is given credit for giving New Jersey the nickname the Garden State. According to Alfred Heston's 1926 two-volume book Jersey Waggon Jaunts, Browning called New Jersey the Garden State while speaking at the Philadelphia Centennial exhibition on New Jersey Day (August 24, 1876).

Browning said that our Garden State is an immense barrel, filled with good things to eat and open at both ends, with Pennsylvanians grabbing from one end and New Yorkers from the other. The name stuck ever since.

Agriculture Facts

• As of 2024, N.J.’s over 9,900 farms and 690,000 acres of farmland produce over $1.6 billion in sales.
• New Jersey is 6^th in the nation in production of tomatoes harvesting 70-million pounds of tomatoes on 2,500 acres.
• That translated to $56.5 million in production value for tomatoes in 2024.