Over the past seven years, local residents have cultivated a healthy interest in the city’s annual Farmers’ Market, which lures fresh peas, organic bread, fine flowers, and crisp corn from the Garden State’s gardens each summer. Starting this Tuesday, June 29, the market returns, so people can again fill their bags with some of New Jersey’s freshest homegrown produce.
The market was first started by the city’s Environment Committee in 1997 and is located at the corner of Washington and Newark streets. It will be open from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday through Oct. 26. In Hoboken, the Farmers’ Market has been a successful collaboration between the urban dwellers and rural farmers. By selling directly to the consumers, growers can eliminate the reliance on the middleman, thus capturing a greater share of consumers’ food dollars.
For customers, the lure of lower prices, increased freshness and a comfortable social atmosphere make for a satisfactory shopping experience.
All of the produce sold at the market is grown in New Jersey, and most is picked the day of or before the market. This year, the market will feature tasty treats from K&S Farms of Cream Ridge, Union Hill Farms of Denville, Melick’s Town Farm of Oldwick, organic Old Hook Farms of Emerson, the Bread Co. of Montclair, Pickle-icious of Leonia, and Farmersville cheeses of Oldwick.
New Jersey Agriculture Secretary Charles Kuperus said recently after touring a number of community farmers markets around the state that farmers’ markets provide an invaluable service.
“Community farmers’ markets serve to promote the consumption of the hundreds of edible products grown by the state’s farmers by bringing these products directly to consumers,” said Kuperus. “The markets also help to revitalize town centers by attracting consumers, increasing foot traffic, and thus, complementing local businesses.”
Free vouchers for seniors
Discount coupons for Hoboken’s 2004 Farmer’s Market will be available Monday for Hoboken residents who are income-eligible Medicaid or PAAD, announced Mayor David Roberts Tuesday.
Those individuals may receive four $5 coupons to be used at the Farmer’s Market.
“New Jersey offers a bounty of some of the finest and freshest produce to be found anywhere. I am pleased that the coupons will allow income-eligible residents the ability to purchase even more of the fresh fruit, vegetables and baked goods found in the state,” said Roberts.
The coupons are available at the Senior Citizen Office, 124 Grand St. For more information, call (201) 420-2054.