Reusable tote bags in hand, neighbors make their way to the municipal parking lot on Park Avenue, dogs in tow and coffee in hand, stopping to say hello to friends along the way. The scent of fresh-baked goods mingles with live music —and, inevitably, something delicious to bring home.
For more than three decades, the Scotch Plains Farmers’ Market has been a beloved Saturday-morning tradition. Established in 1992 as a way to support local farmers, the market has grown into a diverse gathering of farmers, food artisans and small businesses. Today, it is sponsored by the Scotch Plains Business & Professional Association, and managed through the selfless efforts of Apple Blossom’s Lisa Mohn. Lisa volunteers countless hours towards planning followed by weekly sacrifices of much needed sleep to ensure the Market is ready by 8AM. Her reward? The hundreds of residents that visit each week and the happy vendors she has curated. .
The market's appeal is simple: come for the produce, stay for the community—and leave with a few discoveries you didn't know you needed.
There are dozens of vendors and artisans at the Market. Here are just a few of my faves.
Bite Me Bakery: A Little Bit of Home in Every Bite
Owned by lifelong Scotch Plains resident Gabrielle Giles, this pop-up bakery regularly appears at the Scotch Plains Farmers’ Market, offering an assortment of freshly baked treats and making the market feel even more like a gathering of neighbors. Bite Me is a reminder of one of the best things about farmers’ markets: small businesses don't simply sell to a community—they become part of it. The bakery employs local high school students to support the Saturday operation as well as her catering business tied to Savory Selections on East 2nd Street. Whether you're there for the made-to-order breakfast sandwiches or the nutella filled croissant, the bakery's offerings make it easy to add something homemade to your Saturday.
Pesto Joe: A Family Story You Can Taste
At first glance, Pesto Joe may look like simply another delicious farmers’ market find. But there is a much deeper story behind those containers. Owner Carina C created her business in memory of her father Joe, whose homemade pesto was so beloved by family and friends that he was affectionately known as “Pesto Joe.” After his unexpected passing, Carina found comfort in making his pesto recipe with her mom, and it wasn’t long before their family tradition turned into a business. The company eventually grew through Seton Hall University's business incubator program and into a small-batch specialty food company. Today, Pesto Joe produces fresh pesto in flavors including Traditional, Garlic Lovers and my personal favorite, Fra Diavlo. Using fresh basil sourced from family-operated farms in New Jersey, this is the kind of product that begs to come home with you. Toss it with pasta, spread it on crusty bread, spoon it over grilled vegetables—or simply find an excuse to open the container.
Corner-Copia: Jersey Fresh, Close to Home
If the farmers' market is about celebrating the Garden State, Corner-Copia fits right in. The family-run farm market brings farm-fresh produce grown in New Jersey and the surrounding region, including produce grown on its own New Jersey farms. Its philosophy is straightforward: the less distance food has to travel, the more opportunity there is to harvest it at its peak. For shoppers, that translates into the kind of fruits and vegetables that make you want to cook something. Or if you are like me, you buy a bag of nectarines just so you can eat one right there on the spot. So sweet and delicious! A stop at Corner-Copia is also a reminder that “local” isn't simply a buzzword. Buying locally grown produce supports New Jersey farmers, helps preserve the state's agricultural tradition and keeps more of those food dollars within the regional economy.
Stop Drop & Roll: When the Egg Roll Gets a Makeover
Then there are the vendors who make you stop in your tracks. Stop Drop & Roll brings a playful, inventive approach to the farmers’ market with gourmet egg rolls inspired by Vietnamese and Asian-fusion flavors. The New Jersey food business has also gained wider attention through Food Network's The Great Food Truck Race, where the team was featured for its fresh, flavor-packed rolls. The concept is exactly what a good farmers’ market discovery should be: familiar enough to understand, but creative enough to make you curious. Forget the idea that an egg roll has to be predictable. Stop Drop & Roll turns the humble roll into a vehicle for bold combinations and unexpected flavors. And isn't that part of the fun of the market? You arrive looking for tomatoes and leave talking about the best egg roll you've had all summer.
Jersey Spirits: A Little Hooch with a Lot of Jersey Spirit
If you've never heard of Jersey Hooch, a Saturday morning at the Scotch Plains Farmers' Market might be the perfect introduction. Jersey Spirits Distilling Co., based in Fairfield, brings its small-batch, New Jersey-made spirits to the market, including its popular Jersey Hooch line. And don't let the name fool you—this isn't your grandfather's moonshine. Jersey Spirits is a fully licensed, grain-to-glass distillery that makes its products from the ground up, right in New Jersey. These seasonal spirits are made with real fruits, produce and spices. Depending on the season, shoppers might find flavors ranging from Apple Pie and Cherry Smash to Summer Tea, Beach Tea and the decidedly unexpected PB&J Sandwich. The Apple Pie version, for example, is made with cold-pressed apples, sugar and spices and is designed to capture the flavor of a homemade apple pie in a bottle. It's a taste of New Jersey—with a little creativity, a little nostalgia and a whole lot of personality.
Aunt Vicky’s Bickys: Market Treats for the Four-Legged Crowd
Who says farmers’ market shopping is just for people? Aunt Vicky’s Bickys brings a little something special for the dogs in our lives. The company specializes in all-natural, homemade dog treats, biscuits and bones, giving pet parents an easy way to bring home a market-day treat for their favorite four-legged companion. There is something undeniably fun about watching a dog discover the farmers’ market. The sights, smells and friendly faces are enough to make any pup’s tail wag—and a stop at Aunt Vicky’s Bickys gives them a reason to feel like they are part of the shopping trip, too. The treats are homemade and made with an emphasis on natural ingredients, making the booth a popular stop for dog lovers looking for something a little different from the standard pet-store biscuit.
Pickle Licious: For the Love of the Pickle
Some people casually enjoy a pickle. Others take their pickles very seriously. For the latter group, there is Pickle Licious. Often with the longest lines at the Market, this family-run New Jersey company has been part of the farmers’ market scene for decades. Founded in 1995 by Robyn Brown Samra—affectionately known as “The Pickle Lady”—Pickle Licious began with a booth at a local flea market and has grown into a specialty food business offering gourmet pickles, olives, tapenades, hummus, relishes and other pickled favorites. Their selection includes everything from crisp “new pickles” and classic deli-style full sours to sweet and spicy varieties, along with an impressive assortment of olives and other specialty foods. The company has also entered a new chapter. After Robyn and her husband, Ray, retired in 2024, longtime Brand Manager Luis Fermin took over the business with his wife, Sandy, with a goal of continuing the Pickle Licious legacy while expanding its offerings. Luis had been with the company for more than 15 years before taking the reins.That sense of tradition makes Pickle Licious a natural fit for the Scotch Plains market. After all, farmers’ markets are about more than buying food—they are about discovering the people and stories behind it.
The beauty of the Scotch Plains Farmers’ Market is that no two Saturdays have to look exactly alike. It is a place where the people who grow, bake, cook, bottle and create our food get to meet the people who eat it. It is a place where small businesses can build loyal customers, where local agriculture gets a spotlight, and where a simple Saturday errand can become a community ritual. So grab your market bags and make a morning of it. The Farmer’s Market is open from May through the end of November, 8AM - 1PM.