Farmers' Market Opens in Cedar Grove

On Wednesday, June 22, the first full day of summer, the Farmers Market at Morgan’s Farm on Pompton Avenue in Cedar Grove opened its gate. Featuring a wide variety of produce, meats, crusty breads, desserts, nuts, fruits, gourmet olives, pickles and homemade prepared specialty foods, the market will be open every Wednesday, from 2-7 p.m. through the summer until September 28.

The market is sponsored by the Cedar Grove Municipal Alliance Committee of Substance Abuse Prevention. Patrick Mullen, Municipal Alliance Chairman, shared his plans, “From the proposal I made to the Township Council, we would do this as a fund raiser for the community and the proceeds would go back to the township, to give it back to the community via the non-profits in town, including the Municipal Alliance.” Mullen, a Cedar Grove resident for 14 years, has a background in finance and project management.

There is no admission charge to the market and the farmers get to keep the income from selling their goods. The proceeds will come from the fees vendors pay to come into the market each week.

The cool green lawn of Morgan’s Farm is a perfect and most inviting setting as compared to some of the sweltering, black top parking lots hosting many of the other farmers and flea markets. The parcel is a 14-acre site that was farmed continuously from the mid 1800’s until 1985 when Courtenay Morgan donated the farm to the township of Cedar Grove. A farmers market, on a real farm, complete with farmhouse and barns opened for visitors, is probably as good as it gets.

The local vendors for first day included:

• Stony Hill Farms from Chester, with fresh produce
• Hoboken Farms from Summit, featuring artisan breads, pastas and meats
• Pickle Licious of Teaneck, offering pickles, olives, pastes, peppers and tomatoes
• Paolo’s Kitchen from New Providence, providing homemade Italian specialties
• Country Gourmet Desserts of Branchville, with cakes and noteworthy baked goods
• Krakus Deli from Phillipsburg, featuring Polish meats and European delectables
• Gourmet Nuts and Dried Fruits of Florham Park, offering a wide variety of each
• An added bonus was provided by the Verona Wellness Center, who offers free back and neck rubs on site, every other week.

Mullen added, “An array of vendors will come and go throughout the season so it’s always worth stopping back Wednesday afternoons to see who is here.”

For more information or for those wanting to sell their goods at the market, please can contact Patrick Mullen at cgfarmmarket@gmail.com or call 201-953-4895.