You may have seen an array of trucks and colorful tents in the Ridgewood Train Station parking lot. Or maybe you smelled fresh bread and sweet jam in the air walking down Broad Street. You have probably asked yourself, what’s going on there? Those tents and fresh food are actually apart of the Ridgewood Farmers Market, the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce’s weekly Farmer’s Market that has been serving the Ridgewood community for 17 years. The market sells fresh and delicious produce, directly from the farm to the table. You can stroll through and select fresh mozzarella, unique homemade jams, preservative-free baked goods, fresh honey, pickles on a stick for children and adults alike, and beautiful fresh-cut flowers. Of course, many fresh vegetables like zucchini and fresh fruits like cherries are also available. Popular vendors include Caradonna Farms, a favorite fruit vendor who sells amazing homemade hot apple cider in the fall.
But why shop at a farmers market over a typical grocery store like Stop & Shop or Kings? One reason is that the Ridgewood Farmers Market offers the freshest food around. “Whenever I can, I always try to go to the Farmers Market on Sundays,” says Ridgewood High School student Annie Probert. “Vendors are extremely friendly and helpful, and I can definitely taste a difference in my food compared to what I buy at the grocery store.” Farmers Market produce is typically transported only hours from the field, like Jersey corn, and is always organic, ensuring that it is top quality food.
By attending the Ridgewood Farmers Market, you are also helping the environment by limiting package waste and energy needed at conventional grocery stores, and become even closer to the Ridgewood community in the process. The Farmers Market begins in late June and runs every Sunday until Thanksgiving. It is held from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on the West Side of the NJ Transit Train Station parking lot (Godwin Ave and W. Ridgewood Ave). So if you’re interested in purchasing fresh produce, homemade baked goods, and more, make sure you stop by the Famers Market this Sunday before it’s gone for the year!
Virginia Morley
staff writer
Graphics: Amelia Chen, Annie Probert