Caldwell Farmers' Market Opens Friday

Get ready to enjoy a variety of farm fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, gourmet selections, specialty meats including ostrich and buffalo, and other unique and natural food selections when the Caldwell Farmers' Market returns for its fourth season this Friday.

Organized and managed by Project Main Street volunteers and funded through money raised by the non profit organization, the Farmers' Market will be open from noon until 6 p.m. every Friday beginning on June 29 and running through the end of October. 

This year's market focus will be on fresh, naturally raised local food items from both new and returning farmers and vendors.

Here is a preview of the different vendors looking to entice you with their selection of food items:

Madura Farms--This 300 acre family farm employs all natural farming methods.  The farm prides itself on their extensive variety of unique mushrooms, including King Oyster, Enoki, Shiitake, Lion's Mane, Maitake, Portabella, Chanterelle, and Morels.  The farm also raises a variety of sprouts, herbs, specialty salad greens, berries, and vegetables.

Sprout Food and Farms--This farm, which will be joining the Market in July, specializes in hydroponic farming, a method which uses less water, requires no pesticides or chemical fertilizers, and releases zero nutrition pollution.  In addition to vegetables and greens, Sprout Farms will also offer raw milk cheeses and raw honey.

Roaming Acres Farm--This Sussex County family farm raises ostrich and buffalo using sustainable farming methods.  Livestock are fed a vegetarian diet using all natural ingredients. Ostrich meat has less cholesterol, fewer calories, more protein and less fat than chicken, while the buffalo raised at Roaming Acres are free range and grass fed.

Snoep Winkel Farm--A returning favorite, this small family farm practices traditional farming and grazing methods, never using hormones, steroids, or antibiotics.  The farm offers grass fed beef, lamb, pork, chicken and eggs at their stand.

Iona Farms--Another returning favorite, this farm offers a large variety of Jersey fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs.  Iona also has a wide selection of live plants and seasonal specialty items.

Jaker's Pickles-- This crowd pleasing vendor will be back again this year, offering Well Pickles, Half Sour Pickles, New York Dills, New York Garlic Sours, and Hot & Spicy Dill.  Jaker's Pickles also offers sauerkraut, New Jersey green tomatoes, and stuffed olives.

Gourmet Nuts & Dried Fruit--Another popular vendor will also be making a return appearance to the Farmers' Market, offering a variety of nuts, dried fruits, dried mixes and brittle candy.

In addition to these mainstays, guest farmers and vendors will join the market throughout the season.

The Caldwell Farmers' Market will also feature live music, local chef demonstrations, guest speakers and children's activities.  The Caldwell Police Department will be partnering with Project Main Street this year on community safety programs.

To help local residents with their own gardening, the West Essex Master Gardeners will be on-site for the first four weeks of the market to answer any gardening questions.

To learn more about the events and vendors at the market, visit the Caldwell Farmers' Market on Facebook or at their website.

For more information about volunteering or participating in the market, email Project Main Street at projectmainst@gmail.com.