Message from Councilman Matt Adams | April 25, 2024
The Scotch Plains Farmers Market pulsates with life; it is a vibrant intersection where fresh, local produce connects with our residents every Saturday morning in the parking lot of Town Hall, 430 Park Ave.
This is not a simple act of buying groceries; it is about supporting New Jersey agriculture, nourishing our children with the freshest produce and further tightening the social fabric of Scotch Plains.
Opening Day is next Saturday, May 4, as our Farmers Market celebrates 32 years of Jersey Fresh produce. The market will be open every Saturday, from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. (rain or shine) until the last Saturday before Thanksgiving.
It is always a great experience. At the core of the market is the undeniable benefit of exceptional quality and seasonal flavors. Bypassing the long distribution chains of supermarkets, the produce reaching your table is at its peak.
But the true magic lies in the connection fostered in Scotch Plains.
Every Saturday morning, the anonymity of grocery aisles dissolves. You meet the farmer who grew your food, you hear live music, you sample pickles and fresh bread – all while running into old and new friends who are all experiencing the exact same thing. There are even locally made spirits and craft beer selections to explore.
I’m always amazed by the knowledge of the vendors. They can tell you everything you can possibly want to know about heirloom varieties of vegetables, the humane practices behind local meat production and the importance of sustainable farming methods in New Jersey.
For me this is personal too. This knowledge helps my family make informed choices about the vegetables we put on our boys’ plates, promoting a deeper understanding of our food system and its impact on the environment. For example, my son and I both suffer from intense seasonal allergies this time of year, him worse than me. Invariably, he will miss a couple of days of school every April because his eyes are literally swollen shut from the heavy pollen count. Through our Farmers Market, we have learned about the wonderful natural remedy that local honey can be for those pesky symptoms. I know that I speak for him when I say that we cannot wait to pick up a fresh jar next Saturday and chat with the vendor about all the ways that we used his Lavender variety of honey over the winter after stocking up when the market came to a close last Fall.
By choosing local, you also become an active participant in an organic food system, ensuring fairer prices for farmers and further supporting New Jersey’s small business economy.
I love this social hub that Scotch Plains has created on Park Avenue. This sense of belonging fosters stronger social ties, reminding us that we're not just consumers, but members of a larger, interconnected web. That energy is only intensifying as we endeavor to reinvigorate our downtown central business district for the first time in decades with thriving new small businesses and unique goods and services that are putting Scotch Plains on the map as a destination place. The Farmers Market is an intricate part of all the future planning for downtown that is going on inside Town Hall right now.
So don’t just see the Scotch Plains Farmers Market as just another Saturday morning errand on your big “to-do” list. It’s more than just a place to stock up on groceries for the week.
Consider it a beating heart of the Scotch Plains community, offering unparalleled freshness, fostering meaningful connections with the people who grow and make our food, and creating a vibrant space for education and community building.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that proceeds raised from the Farmers Market play an instrumental role in the amazing multi-cultural holiday celebrations we have in Scotch Plains, seasonal plantings in our downtown business district, scholarships for students and other direct benefits to our town and our local economy.
The Farmer’s Market is managed by the Scotch Plains Business and Professional Association (SPBPA), under the leadership of SPBPA President and local Scotch Plains businesswoman Lisa Mohn. The SBPA’s strong alliance of local businesses aims to facilitate strong communication throughout the local business community and the community at large, while creating awareness of all that Scotch Plains has to offer for visitors as well.
The 32nd edition of the Scotch Plains Farmers Market is an important stop for your taste buds, your soul, your sense of community, and the future of a sustainable Scotch Plains.
Learn more about the Farmers Market at ScotchPlainsFarmersMarket.com. For details about the SPBPA, go to visitscotchplains.com.
