Collingswood Farmers' Market
General Information  |  Restaurant Week

2013 Opening Day is May 4!
Open Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon May through November
www.collingswoodmarket.com

June & July lineup for music at the Farmers' Market:
June 1: John Rossi
June 8: Sam and Allison
June 15: Monko
June 22: Trio Nova Duo
June 29: She Hates Me
July 6: Dave Kelly
July 13: Little Stevie and His Electric Mojo
July 20: Trio Nova Duo
July 27: She Hates Me

It starts! Collingswood is getting fresh (oh you!) with the 13th grand opening of the Market on May 4. Folks will be back for their fix of Jersey grown goodness in a big way.

Be there at 8 a.m. on Saturday May 4 for the annual ribbon cutting and cake giveaway and then join thousands of shoppers checking out the sea of fresh veggies and fruits, organic meats, brilliant flowers, breads, cheese and more that line Atlantic Avenue Saturdays along the Collingswood PATCO speedline.

Called "One of the State's finest markets" by Charles M. Kuperus, the New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture, the Collingswood Farmers’ Market started as the dream of community volunteers and from the interest of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to bring fresh produce directly from local farmers to communities.

So, what’s in stock this early in the season? Glad you asked: Aside from all the usual offerings of Jersey fresh fruits and vegetables, organic produce, fruit & veggie pies, pot pies, cheeses, lamb and beef, chickens and eggs, fruit preserves, jams, butters, flowers, dog treats, soaps and more, baby greens are big at the market this time of year. Spinach, arugula, lettuces, kale, dandelion, chard and herbs like scallions, cilantro, and parsley are showing up big! Look also for spicy, crunchy radishes, leeks and asparagus.

The market isn’t just for your fridge. Get to landscaping with big selections of bedding/landscaping plants, potted herbs, hanging plants, potted arrangements and cut flowers. Farmers even sell off their surplus tomato plants.

The Market also hosts "Cooking Jersey Fresh" seminars featuring cooking demonstrations from area chefs and call attention to the popular "Farm to Fork" restaurant event hosted by the SJ Hot Chefs Association. There will be recipe contests, pie contests, live music and other events for Market shoppers.

According to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, community farmers’ markets are more popular today than ever because exceeding numbers of consumers are becoming interested in buying their fresh produce directly from local farmers. Leaders and business people in the community have recognized that smart consumers want to improve their diets through purchasing fresh produce. However, these markets go beyond, by providing economic viability and enhancing the quality of life in each community that creates this farm fresh experience.

The Collingswood Farmers' Market - the longest running market in South Jersey - runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., May 4 through Thanksgiving between Collings and Irvin Aves along the PATCO high speedline. Parking is ample and free at the Collingswood PATCO Station and LumberYard garage, only a short walk away.

NJ Monthly magazine's "Best of Jersey 2006" said the Collingswood’s farmer’s market had an “Authentic rural feel and hustle-bustle" and named it "Best Farm Stand" thanks in part to the local, in-season produce available right off farmers' trucks. The Market was named best in the nation in a 2009 American Farmland Trust poll.

Dedicated "Market Nuts" can sign up for weekly notice of harvests, band schedules, recipes and more at www.CollingswoodMarket.com.

Today, the Market is a project of the Borough of Collingswood. Many of the original farmers from that first season are still bringing weekly harvests. The Collingswood Farmers' Market has has grown into an established part of the social fabric of the community. People come to walk, meet their neighbors, and socialize while they shop for their weekly produce and more.  

The sooner you can get produce after it's harvested, the better its freshness, nutrition and flavor. The quality of the produce is superior and the atmosphere is wonderful! The successful weekly Market is also an important link in the local food chain. By providing a venue for selling directly to the consumer, the business of farming is strengthened for the small family-owned farms that are characteristic of our region. 

Collingswood Farmers' Market's participating farmers value the opportunity to interact with the people who eat the food they grow. Their presence in our community emphasizes the role New Jersey farming plays in preservation of our landscapes, lifestyles, nutrition, and our local food supply.

Facebook is fun, but can it feed you? Maybe. The Market is using its new FACEBOOK GROUP to launch contests for Marketgoers. The group name is "Collingwood Farmers' Market" and all are encouraged to post favorite food quotes, photographs of the Market and more for the chance of winning Market gift certificates for the best content. All Facebook-using fans of the Market are encouraged to support the Market by becoming a "friend." (Thanks!)

See the Market ad in the May issue of the Town Crier. Visit www.collingswoodmarket.com for more information

[back to top]

---
Farm Fresh Collingswood Restaurant Week - 2013 info TBA!

[back to top]