CRANBURY: Resident proposes new market

By Kaitlyn Kanzler, Special Writer
   CRANBURY — Cranbury Township resident Susan Norman presented her idea for a weekly farmers market at the April 23 Township Committee meeting, giving the committee a broad view of her goals.
   ”The Cranbury Farmers Market is an idea started by a resident and through her energy and enthusiasm is taking off and looking like it will become a reality,” Committeewoman Susan Goetz said.
   The farmers market would take place Friday afternoons between 12:30 and 5 p.m. in the parking lot of the Bookworm’s used bookstore on East Park Place.
   The timing of the market is designed to attract people who come to Cranbury during lunchtime, according to Ms. Goetz. Details and insurance issues still are being worked out.
   According to Ms. Goetz, Ms. Norman, who works for Callaway Henderson Sotheby’s International Realty in Cranbury, has seven vendors lined up and is looking to add more.
   She also is hoping to get several of the businesses on Main Street to participate in a “Fabulous Friday” event where stores would offer discounts and special sales during the farmers market.
   ”It’s all part of the big scheme of this,” Ms. Goetz said.
   According to a survey of 21 people taken during lunchtime hours Friday and Saturday, 100 percent said they would attend the farmers market and would like to see a variety of items sold there.
   The vendors presently participating in the farmers market include The Cutting Garden flower shop, grocer Brown Dog Produce, Rejay’s, which provides honey and honey products, soaps, creams and some produce, Popp’s Farm in Monroe, which has produce, and Bag of Bones, which provides dog and cat treats.
   Another vendor will sell handmade vegetable-based soaps, and Bertie Ice Cream Cart also would participate, according to Ms. Norman.
   Ms. Norman said she still is looking for vendors to sell bread and baked goods, more produce, berries and fruits, jams and jellies, eggs, herbs and wine.
   According to Ms. Goetz, organizers are hoping Cranbury School would have a contest to create a logo for the farmers market and also are looking for local musicians to play two sessions on the Bookworm’s porch during the market.
   ”Everyone eating on the main street would love it,” Ms. Norman said.
   Ms. Norman said the mission statement of the farmers market is to create a sense of community by uniting local businesses, customers and residents with local farms, artisans and craftsmen.
   It also is designed to preserve the essence of Cranbury for residents and visitors while growing the community in a positive direction of sustainability, accountability and, most importantly, growth and prosperity for all, she said.
   The farmers market is scheduled to tentatively open the week after the Fourth of July so vendors have plenty of products to provide the public, according to Ms. Goetz.
   For more information about the farmers market or participating as a vendor, contact Ms. Norman at 609-273-4811 or visit www.susananorman.com.