More than ever before, people are beginning to understand the value of not only supporting their local food sources but also making a direct relationship with the farmers and food makers of their area.
With the help of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of NJ, Bridgewater Township and Kennette Productions, the Bridgewater Farmers Market connects the community to fresh, local food vendors. The outdoor market operates at the Bridgewater branch of the Somerset County Library System.
In respect of the social distancing practices in place, there are modifications to the open-air market this year. Vendors prefer digital payments and are offering online preordering to simplify and speed up the shopping experience for everyone. Masks are also required.
Generally speaking, it seems that society has allowed our senses to become dulled by the convenience of faithfully relying on grocery stores to stock our shelves and keep our pantries full. Recent hiccups in supply chains and food availability due to the impact of COVID-19 have caused everyone to re-evaluate and appreciate locally sourced food. There is great value in shortening the distance our food travels to get to our plates.
Some food is flown in from overseas or transported over vast continental distances, consuming more energy and resources than it provides. When buying exotic products from a land far away, the consumer is inadvertently weakening their local food security instead of supporting and fortifying it.
Here in the Garden State, we are extraordinarily lucky to have such a diverse community of farmers and food makers. New Jersey is best known for tomatoes and sweet corn, but actually has a far more broad spectrum of seasonal bounty than many realize.
The weather here keeps us from growing produce such as oranges and avocados that require warmer climate regions, but you can expect tomatoes, peppers and corn to become available as early as the 4th of July. Nature and her seasons combined with the variables of weather and soil health are the controlling factors at play. Sure there are some crops that can be produced via extending the seasons in greenhouses or by creating a synthetic habitat, but often even these high tech farming hacks are limited and ultimately incomparable to the real thing.
Anyone who has purchased local produce in the winter has seen this first hand. Try a winter grown tomato from New Jersey against a midsummer field-grown tomato and you will no doubt see and taste the power of the seasons!
Help shrink the food chain distance, secure your own food security and strengthen our local food sources by shopping directly with some of Somerset County's finest farmers and food makers every Sunday at the Bridgewater Farmers Market. Get to know your farmers face to face—from a six-foot distance, of course—and have the opportunity to learn more about how they grow your food. Shorten the distance from farm to table and get the best of the bounty in your bellies.
Some of the vendors you will find at the Bridgewater Farmers Market this summer:
Aquasprout: aquaponically grown veggies
Maha Granola: granola sweetened with local honey
Pickleliscious: pickled items and olives
Martenette Farms: certified organic locally grown produce and mushrooms
Freespir Chocolate: sustainably sourced chocolate
Norz Hill Farm: produce and meats
Krakus Polish Deli: traditional Polish food items
Manville Pastry Shoppe: baked goods
Local Harvest Pizza: pizza made with local sourced ingredients
Defcon Hot Sauce: Hot sauce
Shop every Sunday!
June 28—October 18
11 a.m.—3 p.m.
Bridgewater Library
1 Vogt Dr.
Bridgewater