New Jersey is getting a bad rap lately thanks to that little MTV show that could. But luckily, we locals know the real meaning behind ‘Jerseylicious’; our bumper crop of the best farmers markets. We scoured and shopped (with our reusable, recycled tote in hand of course) to give you our picks of the county’s best offerings:
Stop by the Tenafly Farmers Market (Tenafly Rd and Washington Street, Sundays 10am to 2pm) which hosts regional farmers and local producers alike, mostly imported from Union Square’s market in NYC. Bring the kids in their pjs for Bread Alone’s chocolate croissants for breakfast and fill your mug with one of Coffee Lab Roasters’ blends. Then grab dinner-to-go from the Hudson Valley Duck booth and artisanal sheep cheeses from Valley Shepherd Creamery who raise 500 sheep in Long Valley, New Jersey.
Angela Logan’s plan to make and sell 100 Apple Cakes in 10 days to avoid foreclosure didn’t just save her house- it turned into a business. And after sampling her mini apple cupcakes we can taste why. You can too when you visit the Mortgage Apple Cake Booth at the Haworth Farmers Market (Tuesdays, 2pm to 7pm, Terrace Street Parking Lot).
Love you some meatballs? Johnny Meatballs creates perfect tasting meatballs in sauce at his booth at the Englewood Farmers Market (Fridays, 11am to 6pm, Depot Square Park). His secret blend of veal, pork and beef, ten spices and tomatoes makes them really easy to eat. The hard part: deciding if you should have it on a roll.
While you’re stumbling in from Saturday date night, Bakers Bounty bakers are slaving over hot ovens to bring you the freshest breads and pastries, including their famous Raisin Walnut Whole Wheat Loaf and Crumb Buns. Try their Cheese bread with mozzarella and spinach or pepperoni for an easy dinner; but get there early, the favorites sell out fast. Washington Township Farmers Market (Knights of Columbus, Sundays, 9am to 1pm) and Ridgewood Farmers Market (Garber Square, Sundays, 9am to 3pm)
Husband and wife team Angelina and Justin Savkov used to make soaps for kicks, until friends finally convinced them to sell to the general public. That’s when Lux Naturals was born. Now their coveted artisan soaps (Lemongrass and Moonlight Pomegranate among the most loved) can be found at Whole Foods Market and the Ramsey Farmers Market (Train Station Parking lot, Sundays, 9am to 2pm).
Hungry yet?
