By Stephanie Vaccaro, Staff Writer
MONTGOMERY — Residents hoping to shop local will soon have more options when the ninth annual Montgomery Friends farmers market opens Saturday, June 11.
”We have a couple of new farmers who are going to be joining the farmers market this year,” said Michelle Mead, communication committee chair for the Montgomery Friends of Open Space.
One of those is Simply Grazin of Skillman, which will bring their natural beef products. Another is Wood’s Edge Wool Farm of Stockton, which will sell their wool products.
The market already consists of farmers who bring locally grown produce, farm-raised poultry and eggs, fresh flowers, herbs, homemade baked goods (pies, breads rolls), coffee and honey.
”The opening day event will include a live band that is local to our area, and also there’s going to be a cooking demonstration on how to eat healthy presented by Csilla Bischoff,” said Ms. Mead.
But the farmers market is more than an interesting way to spend an hour.
”It definitely supports local farming, which is good for everybody,” said Ms. Mead. “It brings the community together at the market every Saturday. It supports healthier eating. It’s a good family event as well.”
”One of the goals of the Montgomery Friends of Open Space is to help farmers stay on their land, so by supporting farmers through the sale of their goods helps them to stay on their land,” said Ms. Mead.
The farmers market was established in 2003 by the Montgomery Friends of Open Space, a nonprofit organization that works cooperatively with Montgomery Township, Somerset County, the state and other nonprofits to access grants and funds. They also work with foundations and local residents to steward lands in the public trust.
To join the market mailing list for coupons and special promotions, send an email to [email protected].
The market runs until mid-October. It is located in the Village Shopping Center parking lot on Route 206.
For more information, see www.montgomeryfriends.org.
Here are the vendors for this year:
— Orchard Farm. Organic vegetables, herbs, flowers grown at Orchard Farm by Caroline and Bob Phinney.
— Tree Licious, Port Murray. Fresh peaches, apples, plums, apples, muffins, cookies, etc.
— Suydam Farms, Somerset. Fresh, vegetables, herbs, corn in season, hanging plants, herbs.
— C&M Farms, North Brunswick. Fresh vegetables, corn, squash, eggplants, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
— Griggstown Quail Farm. Antibiotic free chickens, pot pies, chicken sausage, mushrooms, fruit pies.
— Thomas Sweet. Coffee and chocolates.
— Witherspoon Bread Company, Princeton. Fresh from the oven breads, rolls.
— Buy Local Table. A selection of organically grown veggies, herbs, greens, local honey, organic popcorn, maple syrup and unsweetened juices.
— Simply Grazin,’ Skillman. Certified through Global Organic Alliance and holds organic certificates to reflect the beef, veal, pork, chicken, pasture and hay produced.
— Woods Edge Wool Farm, Stockton. Wool and alpaca farm products, beeswax candles and other products made by this family owned business.
