By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Staff Writer
Let the countdown begin: only two days until the Princeton Farmers Market opens for the season.
Located in the center of walkable and welcoming downtown Princeton, the market will celebrate its opening day May 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine in Hinds Plaza next to the Princeton Public Library. Max McGuire will perform and patrons can enjoy his acoustic guitar music from 12:30-2:30 p.m.
The Princeton Farmers Market offers the community a large variety of vegetables, fruits, grass-fed poultry and meats, eggs, cheeses, honey, fresh juices, breads, flowers, and vegan/gluten free snacks. All of the farmers are local and only sell what they grow themselves. The breads, baked goods and other products are freshly made using healthy ingredients connected to local farmers. No commercial mixes are used.
"Obviously, due to the harshest winter in memory, the farms and flowers are a few weeks behind on the calendar," said market spokesperson Jack Morrison. "That said, we are super excited to open the 2014 season."
The Princeton Farmers Market started in 2009 in the two front parking lots of the old Wild Oats site and the West Coast Video building.
"The following season we moved the market to its permanent home on Hinds Plaza," Mr. Morrison said. "For many, many years, familiar faces Pam Mount, Fran McManus, Raoul and Carlo Momo, Mikie Azzara and myself — all being part of the food and hospitality community — would get together and discuss possible ways to bring our area farms and their produce to our businesses in town. As more and more farms began to focus on growing produce for the household consumer the demand for a farmers market was palpable."
The market organizers’ mission is to create an economically sustainable community for the farmers, producers and residents, according to Mr. Morrison.
"The benefits of this model are far-reaching — healthy eating, healthy environment by minimizing the carbon footprint, local employment, and creating a sense of community for our residents," Mr. Morrison said.
Vendors must either grow or make products that are produced from locally grown sources to participate in the market.
This year vendors include PorcSalt, a local charcutier; Jersey Veggie Burgers; Niamh Chocolates; Savory Spice and Jams; Good Enough for Kids, which makes gluten free snacks; and by popular demand Pickelicous is returning after a few years hiatus, according to Mr. Morrison.
Many of the regulars will be back again this year too. Atlock Farm will vend sculpted and specialty plants grown from seed or propagation methods. Cherry Grove Organic Farm and Chickadee Farm will sell a variety of organically raised vegetables. Davidson’s Exotic Mushrooms will provide fresh mushrooms. Fourth Street Foodworks will make organic kettlecorn with organic coconut oil and pinches of organic sugar. Frank’s Pickled Peppers will offer dill and sweet pickles, salsas, relishes, chutneys and more. Fruitwood Orchards will vend fruits, vegetables, molasses and condiments. Fulper Farms will sell Greek yogurt, plain yogurt and ricotta and mozzarella cheeses. Jams by Kim has a variety of jams made from local fruits and vegetables. Fresh crepes filled with local and farm fresh ingredients will be made by Jammin’ Crepes. Longview Flowers will offer freshly cut flowers. Pastured chickens, eggs, beef, pork and lamb will be available from Lima Family Farms.
Small World Coffee will vend special coffee drinks and desserts. Stony Brook Orchids will sell orchids. Tassot Apiaries will offer local honeys, beeswax candles, soaps and beeswax furniture polish. Terhune Orchards will have a stand with vegetables, fruits, cider, baked goods and wines. Tico’s Juice Bar will make freshly squeezed vegetable and fruit juices. Patrons can purchase cheesecakes made with local fruits from The Great American Cheesecake. Valley Shepherd Creamery will vend raw sheep’s milk cheeses. Whole Earth Center will prepare vegetarian wraps and salads and Witherspoon Bread Company will provide freshly baked breads and pastries.
The market will be open every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from May 15 to Nov. 20, rain or shine.
To vend, volunteer, perform or represent an organization at the market’s guest community table, contact Sherri Petonic at [email protected]. For more information about the Princeton Farmers Market and to see an updated list of vendors, visit www.princetonfarmersmarket.com.
