The Pennington Farmers Market (PFM) will begin its 12th season on June 6, 2020. It will be open every Saturday from 9am to 1pm through late November.
The Pennington Farmers Market attracts hundreds of visitors each week, who come to purchase local produce and support our local businesses. The foundation of the Market is formed by neighborhood farms – Chickadee Creek Farm, Beechtree Farms, Hopewell Valley Vineyard, and John Hart Farms – all long-time participants, and includes many other customer favorites. The market is located on the lawn in front of Rosedale Mills at 101 Route 31 North in Hopewell Township (at the intersection with Titus Mill Road).
Of course, this will not feel like a normal market this year. Vendors will be spread apart, pre-ordering will be encouraged, and everyone will be wearing masks; but PFM feels it is important to get the season started so that local Farmers and other Food Vendors have a chance to sell their products to their community.
PFM is run by a volunteer board. Each member takes on a specific task, and pitches in regularly to help on market day as needed. Co-chairs Kate Fullerton and Joann Held are enthusiastic about the coming season.
“Thanks to the energy and inventiveness of our board members, our community partners, and our small staff, a wonderful array of produce, baked goods, and other products will come together on the lawn at Rosedale every Saturday morning,” said Fullerton.
“This is a true community effort,” said Held. “Although we are starting the season small, we know that we have the support of our neighbors and that they will be patient while we wait for the time when we can bring back musicians, artists and additional vendors.”
This season, Kathleen Reside Lauricella will be taking over as on-site market manager. She will be at the entrance each week to greet shoppers, answer questions, listen to suggestions, and remind everyone to wear a mask.
Vendors are drawn from within a 50-mile radius of Pennington and are generally limited to selling products that they raised or made themselves. Anyone interested in becoming a vendor can reach out to the PFM Vendor Coordinator, Jenn Geoghan, at [email protected].
Many customers combine their visit with a stop inside Rosedale Mills to pick up the rest of the supplies they need for their pets, livestock, lawns and gardens.
“We are so grateful to the Hart Family and Rosedale Mills for hosting our market,” said Jess Niederer of Chickadee Creek Farm, who is both a vendor and a member of the PFM Board. “Their hospitality and support is an essential element of the success of our market.”
The Hopewell Valley Green Team is at the market on the last Saturday of the month collecting materials that should not be put in curbside recycling bins including #5 plastics, wine corks, DVDs, and dental care products. Thanks to a grant from Sustainable Jersey, the Green Team will be expanding the list of materials that they accept. Check out their website at HopewellValleyGreenTeam.org to see the latest list.
To keep up on which vendors to expect at PFM each week, sign up for the weekly email blast by sending a message to [email protected]. You can also visit the market’s website PenningtonFarmersMarket.org, like it on Facebook, or see its latest photos on Instagram.
Submitted by the Pennington Farmers Market.
