2011 Festival of Farmers’ Markets
Edible Jersey’s 2011 Festival of Farmers’ Markets is designed to help you enjoy the more than 130 farmers’ markets taking place statewide. Get out, buy local and experience the great tastes of the Garden State.

Enjoying the Dog Days of Summer
at the Hammonton Farmers' Market

Friday, July 22, 2011
By V.E. Villalon

Tucked in the tiny hamlet of Hammonton far from the hustle and bustle of the big city is an oasis of good food, local wine, and friendly people.  Nestled off Hammonton’s downtown district, Central Avenue is blocked off every Friday from 4-8 pm through September 9 to make way for the Hammonton Outdoor Farmers’ Market.  Here, even in a 100+ degree summer’s day like today,  you can shop, dine, and relax all while enjoying live music, a cooking demonstration, local wine samplings from Sharrott Winery, and an icing-your-own-cupcake event.

Meeting Johnny Meatballs
at the Englewood Farmers' Market

Friday, July 15, 2011
By Mia Wiskow

Yes, I did meet the King of Meatballs, but first …..

Upon arriving at the Englewood Farmers’ Market, the first person I met was Oggi Echavarria, the friendly owner of Friendsville Farms in Midland Park. From his table here at the market, he greets customers, calling many by name.  For three years now, Oggi has offered his delicious classic Italian dishes at numerous farmers’ markets around NJ. Oggi primarily learned his craft from his Uncle Rosario, owner of Rosario’s Trattoria in Midland Park, where he works as a manager when not tending to his own business. Friendsville Farms’ best sellers also include homemade crab cakes, macadamia crusted mahi-mahi and potato crusted cod.

A Perfect Day
at the Margate Farmers' Market

Thursday, July 14, 2011
By John Howard-Fusco

Take a moment and try to picture a perfect day. What would all of the elements consist of if you could snatch them down from the shelves of The Perfect Day Store? I know how I would like to spend a part of that day: strolling casually through the Margate Farmer’s Market on a glorious July morning - warm enough to remind you that summer is here, but with a cool, gentle breeze off of the bay to take the sting out of the heat.

A farmer’s market? Really?

Seriously.

Toms River Farmers’ Market:
A Picturesque Setting for Jersey Fresh Food

Wednesday, July 13, 2011
By Lisa Howard-Fusco

Ten minutes away from where the i nfamous Jersey Shore series is filmed is a quiet little historical park. Dedicated to the town’s own “Jedidiah Springfield”- Revolutionary War martyr Captain Joshua Huddy- the park is framed by a river, a picturesque wood-and-stone bridge (think Monet’s “Bridge Over a Pool of Water Lilies”), a few gazebos, and the Blockhouse (a structure commemorating a skirmish with the British). Yet even if the Toms River Farmer’s Market wins for most “historically scenic” of the Jersey Fresh markets, you won’t find any of the vendors dressed up in corsets or wool stockings in the summer heat.

Health and Relaxation
at the Medford Lakes Farmers' Market

Saturday, July 9, 2011
By John Howard-Fusco

There are a number of factors as to why there has been such an explosion of community farmers’ markets in the last few years in New Jersey. One of the reasons is people are looking for healthier options outside of their local supermarket. It comes as no surprise, then, that a farmers’ market would open up in Medford Lakes. Why is that, you might ask? Medford Lakes, by and large, is a healthier community than most. They walk more. They bicycle more. And they certainly canoe and kayak more. So, when the folks running the weekly market on Saturday asked locals not to drive their cars (to avoid filling up the parking lot), it’s not exactly a hardship.

Make It a Morning
at the Burlington County Farmers’ Market

Saturday, July 9, 2011
By V.E. Villalon

Summer is in full glory, and so are the state’s local farms, bringing fresh produce and the joy of shopping for it at exciting places such as the Burlington County Farmers’ Market. Even the experience of getting there is fun. Just drive north on Centerton Road in Moorestown past lush cornfields, and look for the signature silos and farmhouse, where you will pull into the parking lot near a meadow of bright yellow sunflowers. The market is adjacent to the plots of a lovingly tended community garden, at the former site of Pleasant Acres Dairy Farm. The experience is replete with the Garden State’s famous trademark of quality produce in a bucolic setting.

Getting Real at the Highlands Farmers' Market

Saturday, July 9, 2011
By Marisa Procopio

Any farmers' market nestled under a canopy of trees at the intersection of Bay & Waterwitch Avenues would have me at hello. It just sounds so idyllic. And this one was no exception.

First stop, just because I couldn't take my eyes off their vegetables, was E.R. & Son Organic Farm. I'd read about this Colts Neck farm and even went to find them once, but had no luck. "You can't see it from the road," says Karley Corris. "And we don't have a farm stand." Well, no worries; now I know where to go. Karley's produce has a beautiful lushness--glossy summer squash, collards so full of water that the leaves would snap in half if bent.

Even Rain-Soaked, Jersey Produce Looks Good
at the Caldwell Market

Friday, July 8, 2011
By Megan Myers

You know a farm is dedicated when they're willing to drive more than an hour to provide Essex County with a bounty of Jersey Fresh produce when it's raining some serious cats and dogs outside. At the Caldwell Farmers Market, Hackettstown-based Iona Hill Farm was the lone stand open on this soggy Friday, which usually has 11 vendors offering edibles ranging from Hoboken Farm's mozzarella to Jaker's Pickles.

Jammin' at the Carousel
Asbury Park

Thursday, July 7, 2011
by Marisa Procopio