Farmers’ Market season is in full swing around here and I could not be happier. We are lucky enough to have several nearby and it’s nice to see that more and more organic growers are arriving at them with their wares. We have some house favorites that are back and I have been happy to find some new vendors this year too.
So far, we have been privy to young potatoes, zucchini, summer squash, mixed greens, raspberries and black raspberries. The two raspberry finds have been the most exciting since I have been on a quest to find organic berries in the area. So far, we have found a roadside organic strawberry stand at Muth Family Farm, a pick your own blackberry place at River Side Homestead Farm, and have driven past a pick your own blueberry spot on the way home from the shore. I didn’t catch the blueberry place’s name, but remember where it is. When we take the Tomato next year, to add to what we grow in our yard, I’ll be sure to post about it.
The raspberries were new to one of our markets this past week. The black ones come from DanLynn Organic and they were heavenly to say the least. I am thrilled that I bought 4 pints and froze 2 of them, so that I can either eat them whole later or make a jam or cheesecake with them. The red raspberries pictured below in the adorable wooden flat (which I can take back to the farmer this week when I go get more) are from Brookeberry Farms. Yum! They were delicious with yogurt this week and so many are in the freezer already. A flat gets you 12 pints, and I’ll be getting another one this week to freeze and store in my mom’s extra freezer to make jams and eat fresh later this year.
In addition to being able to buy quality, local, fresh and organic foods, it is a joy to take Tomato with me. She is able to hold the zucchini that she will eat later that day. She sees food in its full form and not as a processed item. Markets are a great place to take kids to and show them the variety of foods, colors and people that are there. It’s a stimulating place where people are happy and stroll, which tends to be the opposite of some supermarkets where everyone is in a hurry and grumpy about the person whose cart is in the middle of the aisle. You also get to establish a relationship with the farmer who grows your food. Our potato guy knows us by name and was able to talk to Tomato this year and swap baby food making tales with me about his own kids. I appreciate and value that we have so many great markets nearby.
In order to find a market near you, you can visit Local Harvest and type in your zip code. In addition to farmers’ markets, you will find pick your own farms, CSAs and other local food venues in your area. It’s a good list, but not a complete one, so you may also need to find a site like NOFA-NJ, the Northeast Organic Farm Association, in order to search for more. They list the farms in the association and also sponsor information programs for farmers, gardeners and consumers. Have fun finding a good market by you and if you have any good market tips, please leave a comment to share them. Enjoy the holiday weekend!
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