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HIGHTSTOWN: Farmer’s market continues growth

By Jenine Clancy, Special Writer
HIGHTSTOWN — Crowds of people gather around Peddie Lake on Friday night’s to purchase local, fresh produce and other artisan treats at the Hightstown farmers market.
Certified Jersey Fresh produce, jewelry makers and home-baked goods are just some of the vendors selling at the market, while music from local musicians can be heard down the streets.
Organizer of the market, Heidi Bak, said the music, food and vendor participation are all free thanks to sponsorships from Downtown Hightstown, Hightstown Parks and Recreation and the Tavern on the Lake.
"We try to make it a win-win for everybody," said Ms. Bak. "Even if you come every week you get a surprise, you don’t have the same old same old."
Ms. Bak says vendor participation has gone up from seven last year to 20 this year.
"We love this market, its family oriented, (has a) cool and nice location, the residents have been supporting us from day one," said Kevin Orr owner of the Happy Wanderer Bakery, who added Hightstown was the first market he and wife participated in when they started their business five years ago.
Ms. Bak, along with Hightstown residents Tracey Carol and Barbara Cabrera have been running the market for the past two years after the original organizers decided to step down.
"I would walk down to the market, almost every Friday night," said Ms. Bak who has lived in Hightstown for the past five years. "I loved the market and would walk down with my grandkids."
She said she found out the market was going to stop happening and that it put something on Facebook and the Downtown Hightstown website, seeing if anybody was interested in running it.
"No one wanted to see it go away because this is the best of small town America, that it represents gathering in the center of town."
According to Ms. Bak residents who are on food stamps can actually use their EBT Cards to purchase fresh produce through a partnership between the Housing Authority and some farmers from Jersey Fresh.
"Local folks don’t have to go to the grocery store, they can come here," she said.
"It’s always fun and a great place to hang out," said Chelsea Caraccia who makes one-of-a-kind jewelry with her business Unearth Your Desires. "It’s a great time."
The Hightstown Farmers Market takes place every Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. until Sept. 12 at Peddie Lake.