Walking into the marketplace, I was greeted with the sounds of bright, booming pop music and the smells of fresh baked goods. At one tent, people lined up to buy homemade bread; at another, they stopped to peruse baskets of apples, or to quite literally smell the flowers. Local vendors made friendly conversation, and the entire space had an atmosphere of peace.
This was my experience at the farmer’s market in Montclair, an event held every Saturday at the Walnut Train Station. One of the first towns to host a marketplace, they started sharing local produce back in 1993, and it has grown into the town staple we can see today.
Farmer’s markets have been around for hundreds of years. Some of the first marketplaces were started in Egypt, and became popular in the United States in the 1600s. As of late, they have seen a boom in popularity and expanded beyond the sale of fruits and vegetables, with people coming to seek other locally made products.
While West Orange does not have its own farmers market there is one place in town where you can have a delightful experience. Grace Garden, a market created and run by West Orange high school student Justin Brister, started as a small backyard plot and has grown into a full-size vegetable garden. In season you can find squash, tomatoes, melons, and more. Not only does he sell what he has grown, but he also offers tours of the garden and shows people how to grow their own vegetables.
As well as Grace Garden, there are other markets scattered around New Jersey, including Millburn and South Orange, making this an easy way to spend a day! If you are looking for a way to give back to your community, there is no better place to go than to a farmer’s market. Purchases directly benefit the seller and help to grow small businesses in the area.
Grace Garden- Instagram: @jtekbrister
If you are looking for a way to give back to your community...