The popularity of these markets has exploded with the growing concern for the environment
By: Pat Tanner
Those of us who enjoy shopping at the area’s seasonal community
farmers’ markets will be able to do so every day of the week during the upcoming
growing season. In addition, many will offer new and expanded products, features
and activities. The popularity of these markets has exploded with the growing
concern for the environment, for the quality of what we put into our mouths,
and for the fate of family farming.
In addition to those listed below, community markets are
in development for Pennington, Kingston and Cranbury. But gone this season
is the market at the Herban Garden in downtown Princeton, with long planned
development of that site under way. Note that the season for all but the Trenton
Farmers’ Market will end with the growing season, usually at the end of October.
Many of the participating farms mentioned below also operate
their own farm stands or markets, and many have new offerings this year.
Terhune Orchards, for example, will have more organic vegetable
crops, including about 15 varieties of potatoes, and will add to its long list
of seasonal celebrations a Firefly Festival on Sunday, July 15. Terhune has expanded
its "Read & Pick" series
for children.
Griggstown Farm’s executive chef, Matt Sytsema, is offering
pre-made gourmet dinners-to-go each Thursday. The menu of "What’s for
Dinner" changes weekly and orders must be placed by Wednesday at noon. Visit www.griggstownquailfarm.com for
details.
New to the lineup of organic meats and poultry offered at
Montgomery’s Simply Grazin’ Farm is veal a full line including
cutlets, breast and ground, as well as calves’ liver. "Calves are raised with their mothers, outside and natural," claims the Web site.
Farmer Kelly Harding of Lawrenceville’s Cherry Grove Farm won’t be participating in any farmers’ markets this year, selling only from his
farm store. But added to his line of organic grass-fed beef, lamb, and heirloom pork are cheeses. Mozzarella is available now, with provolone expected to be ready within weeks and fresh ricotta sometime soon.
LAWRENCEVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET
16 Gordon Ave. (off Route 206).
Opening day: Sunday, June 10. Hours: Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (609) 206-0344.
This market is doubling in size this year. Mike Azzara, the driving force behind it, promises more prepared food to eat on site from local restaurants such as the Lawrenceville Inn and Vidalia, and, with luck, crab cakes from a local vendor. Returning vendors include Griggstown, Terhune Orchards and Valley Shepherd (cheeses). New will be cut flowers from Grossman Flower Farm and two organic farms: Gravity Hill in Titusville and Running Free in Hillsborough (including eggs).
"We have always had weekly cooking demos and live acoustic music," Mr. Azzara notes, "but this year we will start a kids’ program focusing on everything from cooking, gardening, compost, arts, insects and yoga."
WEST WINDSOR COMMUNITY
FARMERS’ MARKET
Princeton Junction Train Station, Southbound, Vaughn Drive Parking Lot.
Opening day: Saturday, May 19. Hours: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (609) 577-5113.
This market features many of the same vendors as the Lawrenceville market, including bread and sweet treats from Village Bakery. Three farms new to the market this year will be Terhune Orchards, Krowicki in New Egypt and Catalpa, the Princeton farm that operates the indoor, year-round Kingston Farmers Market. In addition, says Beth Feehan, who is stepping down as the community market’s manager, "We’ll have twice monthly hands-on arts events sponsored by the West Windsor Arts Council, and we’re booking musical entertainment for most weekends."
For a complete list of vendors visit www.westwindsorfarmersmarket.org.
HOPEWELL COMMUNITY MARKET
The Train Station, off Greenwood Avenue.
Opening day: either the last Wednesday in May or the first Wednesday in June (phone for information). Hours: Wednesdays, 2 to 7 p.m.
(609) 466-8330.
Mike Rassweiler of North Slope Farm in Lambertville, one of the area’s oldest certified organic farms, is the force behind this market,
which moved at the end of last season from in front of the Failte Coffee House to Hopewell’s picturesque erstwhile train station. His farm is known for its hearty greens, root crops, squash and beans, and in recent times he has begun to focus on herbs for teas that have medicinal value. At press time, Mr. Rassweiler was in talks with several farmers, including those at Cherry Grove Organic Farm and Simply Grazin’, about joining him at the train station. "We’ll have more space this year, so I encourage farmers to contact me," he says.
MONTGOMERY FARMERS’ MARKET
Routes 206 and 518 (behind the Red Oak Diner, in the Princeton North Shopping Center).
Opening day: Thursday, June 28. Hours: Thursdays, 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. (908) 359-9665.
This small market, operated by Montgomery Friends of Open Space, will get a boost with the return of Griggstown Farm after a year’s
absence. Returning regulars are Tree-licious Orchards of Port Murray, produce from Princeton’s Orchard Farm and breads from Village Bakery.
"Crops will be a little late," advises Lorette Pruden, who says she would welcome inquiries from a cut flower vendor to round out the
market’s offerings.
TRENTON FARMERS’ MARKET
960 Spruce St. (next to Halo Farms), Lawrence.
Summer hours started on May 1. Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (609) 695-2998.
Going strong in this spot on the Lawrence/Ewing/Trenton border since 1948, this market’s 10 farms offer, with few exceptions,
conventionally grown produce, often at bargain prices. Among its food vendors are Cartlidge’s, one of the best and among the last remaining traditional butchers in the area; Olsson’s Fine Foods (known for its cheese selection); El Chido for Mexican groceries, and two Italian markets: And Everything Nice and Porfirio’s.
For a complete list: www.thetrentonfarmersmarket.com.
CAPITAL CITY MARKET (Trenton)
E. State Street, The Commons, Warren and Broad streets.
Opening day: Thursday, July 5 but call ahead. Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (609) 393-8998.
Established a few years back primarily for state government workers on their lunch hour, in the past this market has featured each week
an outdoor jazz concert and lots of prepared foods. Calls and e-mails to those who operate the market went unanswered, so be sure to contact them closer to the summer season for details.
MONTHLY FARMERS’ MARKET
AT WHOLE FOODS PRINCETON
3495 Route 1 South, West Windsor.
Dates: Monday, June 11; Monday, July 16; Monday, Aug. 13; Monday, Sept. 10, and Monday, Oct. 8. Hours: 3 to 7 p.m. (609)
799-2919.
Why Monday night for a farm market?
"Aside from trying to support and encourage people to buy local, we have found that Monday night is our busiest weeknight during the
summer," reports Whole Foods marketing specialist Melissa McDermott, who guesses it might because customers are loading up after a weekend at the Shore.
Five farms have signed on so far, including Griggstown, Grossman’s (the flower people), Silver Forge of Manalapan (eggs) and Patches
of Star (goat’s milk and cheese), but the goal is 10 farms, so Ms. McDermott welcomes inquiries. She notes that the market’s "festive and fun environment" includes music, kids’ activities and cooking demos.