Fall is Jersey Fresh at Netcong Farmers Market

In the spring, visitors to the Netcong Farmers Market dreamed about the local sweet corn coming during the summer months. As we start the fall season, that corn is still going strong, along with local apples and cider, plus other fruits and vegetables and products. The Netcong Farmers Market is held every Saturday from June to October at the Netcong Train Station from 9:00 am till 2:00 pm, featuring Jersey Fresh favorites and more along with lots of free parking and friendly service.

“The Netcong Farmers Market continues to grow in popularity because of its convenience and the variety of products and vendors,” noted Donna Infantolino, owner of All in the Icing bakery just down the block at 55 Main Street. Infantolino is also a board member of the Netcong Community Partnership (NCP), the organization that presents the Netcong Farmers Market. Comprised of local business and commercial property owners, NCP is a public/private partnership with the Borough of Netcong dedicated to making the community a great place to live, to work and to visit.

In addition to longtime market favorites like Alstede Farms of Chester, Iona Hills Farm of Hackettstown and Hickory Ridge Alpaca Farm of Blairstown, new vendors Doctor Pickle and Gourmet Nuts and Fruits have quickly become crowd favorites. The Doctor has just what you need, if you happen to crave freshly made pickles, marinated mushrooms, olives, hot and sweet peppers, sauerkraut and more all served up from old fashioned deli-style barrels. For $10 per pound, Gourmet Nuts and Fruits will let you mix and match from a wide selection of dried fruits, nuts and other snack favorites. People have been known to eat a whole bag of their butter toffee almonds before leaving the market!

For followers of the farm to table movement seeking the freshest vegetables, fruit, locally produced honey and home baked goods, Alstede Farms and Iona Hills Farm have lots to offer. Variety depends on the season and what is currently being harvested, but visitors can count on a colorful array including everything from carrots, corn, beans, lettuce and beets, to broccoli, tomatoes, cauliflower and kale. You can even find scarves, hats, gloves and other products made from alpaca wool and visit with some of Hickory Ridge Farms’ very own alpacas!

Stanhope residents Sarah Schuchman and Ken Nasse were shopping at All in the Icing bakery when they heard about the nearby farmers market (All in the Icing also has a booth at the market selling everything from cupcakes and cookies to cakes, pies, bread and other home baked desserts). They were impressed by the variety at the Netcong Farmers Market and said they would definitely come back again.

That’s music to the ears of NCP President Vic Pocoroba. “In addition to local residents, our goal is to attract people from surrounding towns and from the thousands of seasonal visitors to our area seeking natural beauty plus outdoor and family recreational opportunities,” Pocoroba added. ““Netcong has a lot to offer, in terms of great businesses and restaurants, plus fun, family-friendly events and we invite people to find out more about our community.”

“Everyone is so glad to see you and welcome you to Netcong,” concluded longtime Farmers Market volunteer Doris O’Brien.

For more information about the Netcong Farmers Market, or other programs, services and events provided by the Netcong Community Partnership, call (973) 347-0252 (X113) or visit GoNetcong.com. You can also follow news from Netcong through social media at the Partnership’s new Facebook page, Facebook.com/gonetcong.