Farmers Market Coming to Paramus?

Borough residents could have a place this summer to buy freshly picked, locally grown produce.

The Environmental Commission hopes to start a farmer's market, possibly in the northern part of the parking lot as soon as this summer.

"For four hours a week, we'd have a little community down there," Environmental Commission Chairman Gerald Anthony said.

The vision is for up to 12 vendors to sell fresh produce, honey, bread, jam and handcrafted foods. Anthony said the market would likely take place Wednesday afternoons for 12 to 14 weeks during the summer.

All the produce would have to be picked 24 hours prior to selling it, Anthony said. The farmers market could serve as a temporary main street for Paramus residents, he said.

"They get to buy good food, they get educated and they get to have a little fun at the same time," Anthony said.

The cost to the Borough should be minimal aside from some start-up costs, Anthony said. Any staffing at the market would be covered by vendor fees, he said.

The Mayor and Council gave the idea their support, with one concern—Mayor Richard LaBarbiera said grocery stores might see the market as a competitor.

"I think if the businesses were to step forward and say 'This is not a concern and we'd be happy to participate or we take no objection to it,' that's something that I would support whole-heartedly," he said.

Anthony said has already pledged its support. He intends to reach out to all the markets in Paramus to inform them of the planned farmer's market and invite them to participate, though they might not be able to sell their goods under the 24-hour harvest rule.

However, Anthony said businesses could participate in an educational or other capacity.

Councilwoman Maria Elena Bellinger asked Anthony to bring the governing body concrete details on the logistics of the market in addition to reaching out to local businesses.

"I think with all those things in place I could foresee a farmers market in Paramus," Councilwoman Bellinger said. "Hopefully we still have enough time that we could get it in for this season."

If not, she said, the Borough can still pursue the idea next year.

"We definitely want to be inclusive of all our markets in town and all our local businesses," Anthony said. "They're going to be welcome as much as possible."