Every Sunday morning, the Bloomfield parking lot transforms into a market full of stalls selling an assortment of inviting items such as nuts, baked goods, hummus, hot sauce, and even natural dog treats.
Perusing the mix of healthy and tempting treats at the Denville Farmers’ Market has become a weekly ritual for many. It’s a chance to purchase produce and ready-made foods, talk with the vendors who grow and create these items, and meet up with friends. Although the weather is no longer warm and winter is here, it doesn’t mean this beloved Sunday excursion has to end. The market is held year-round.
The Denville Farmers’ Market began in 2010, running at that time from about June until November. The opening day was widely anticipated by those who missed the outdoor shopping experience and the taste of fresh products during winter. Luckily, the winter market is now available, albeit with shorter hours,10am – 1pm.
Due to New Jersey’s climate and limited growing season, the winter market does not have as big of a variety of vegetables as the warmer months, but there is still a plethora of local food options.
Chickadee Creek Organic farm uses tunnels to grow spinach, arugula, bok choi, herbs and salad mixes all winter while Sweetleaf Farm offers a wide variety of hydroponic greens grown year round. The produce is sold with the roots still attached, essentially allowing customers to harvest it at home. Circle Brook Farms and Sugarman Farms also have a variety of root vegetables and other crops.
Liisi Lascarro, who manages the market, noted that despite customers missing New Jersey’s beloved corn and tomatoes this season, they still love purchasing seasonal and year round staples, such as fresh eggs and meat, local honey, coffee and cheese.
“We still have a wonderful variety of products available,” said Lascarro.
Vegetables and fruits may be what comes to mind to buy at a farmers’ market, but that’s just part of the appeal. The market has many specialty vendors, who thankfully are not dependent upon the season, thus enabling customers to enjoy a wide range of items throughout the year.
PickleLicious is always a crowd pleaser with varieties of pickles and olives as well as marinated mushrooms, sauerkraut, and krelish, a mix of sauerkraut, mustard, sweet relish, and a touch of hot pepper. Suitcase Bakery provides breads and pastries inspired by trips to Norway, Finland, Italy and a residency in Ireland. These goodies are made from scratch and are only available at this market.
For those looking to warm up while they shop, Greenwood Lake Roasters sells organic and fair trade small-batch coffee and hot food can be purchased at Empanada Lady. Besides the above-named vendors, there are many others to check out on a Sunday morning.
Perhaps more important than the products is the market’s community vibe, as present in winter as in summer. It is the key ingredient to its success.
“The market was built around the community, a chance to catch up with neighbors, for non-profit organizations to introduce themselves and activities for kids,” said Lascarro.
“I created the market as a passion project, an outlet for local farms to sell directly to communities. It gives me energy every single Sunday,” Lascarro said. “How do we shop and support local businesses? It makes a huge difference. It is sustainability - a local market doesn’t get better than this."
Next time you’re craving fresh, local flavors, head to the farmers market — where community, quality, and seasonal treasures come together.
For more information, visit denvillefarmersmarket.com.