Hidden Gems At Lacey Farmers' Market

If you haven't been to the Lacey Farmers' Market yet, there is still plenty of time, as the market will be in operation every Friday from now until October 4. Their hours are 11am until 5pm. They will also be hosting a special holiday market on Monday November 25. On any given Friday, you can usually find A and A Dips, Argos Farm, Cranberry Hall Farm, Dags Dippers food truck, Eckerts Corn, Farmer Al's Market, Green Beret Bug Spray, Gull Cover Soaps, High Mountain Foods, Ivy Cottage, Jersey Charm, Krowicki Farm Market, Mommas Homemade Sauce, Sea Glass Jewelry by Kristen and Vita Roots in attendance.

On a recent visit to the market, I picked up an Orange Crisp Melon, which looks like a watermelon but is actually much crispier. I also found some of the sweetest corn on the cob that I have purchased this summer. For the first time, I decided to try some sugar plums. Some people don't believe that they exist as a fruit due to their use in Christmas tales. However, they are actually a variety of "self-pollinating Italian plums," according to specialtyproduce.com. While they look like cherries, they have been known not to raise your blood sugar levels. If you are a diabetic, this would be something to ask your endocrinologist about. They are not as sweet as ordinary plums and contain a slight hint of bitterness that everyone in the household may not enjoy.

However, I did mention earlier that you can purchase so much more than fruits and vegetables here. I also picked up a deodorant roll-on that was made from vegan soap, as well as a Bay Rum bar of body soap. When you purchase items like these in the store, you really have no idea what all of the ingredients are. This is especially true when one of the ingredients is just listed as "fragrance."

I stopped by the High Mountain Foods table due to the enormous jelly donuts that were in plain view. While I do like to eat healthy, I am a sucker for a good jelly donut. Beside the donut, I walked away with a Sourdough Sandwich Loaf of bread and some blue cheese stuffed olives.

The Lacey Farmers' Market is located at 203 Lacey Road in Forked River, strategically placed in the side parking lot of the Lacey United Methodist Church. To find out more information about the farm market, you can call (609) 693-1100. I never fail to leave empty-handed.