Poll: Is Local Produce the Best?

Garden State residents appear to prefer food that is "Jersey Fresh" when making their purchases.

According to a recent poll by PublicMind, more than nine in 10 New Jerseyans–94 percent, to be exact–say it is "very important" or "somewhat important" to buy locally grown fruits and vegetables when they are in season.

Also, the percentage of individuals who have purchased Jersey Fresh produce from a farm stand or farmers market in the past three months was 87 percent, greater than the 83 percent who had purchased Jersey Fresh produce in a similar time frame in 2010. 

Nine in 10 residents say they'd like to see more NJ fruits and vegetables served with public meals, which is greater than the 85 percent reported by PublicMind in 2010.

So, do you agree with the large majority of those who say NJ produce is more desirable? Would you rather buy it yourself, as well as see local restaurants use it in their cooking? Or would you rather buy the best product available to you at the time, wherever it may be from? Let us know in our poll, then tell us why you voted that way in the comments.