Farmers Markets – Not Just Corn & Tomatoes
Spring is just about over, and here comes summer! A lot of people increase their consumption of fresh foods at this time of year for the simple reason that they are in season. That means they’re not only more available, but they are usually more affordable. If you want fresh food in the Jersey City, or Hoboken area, it’s not hard to find.
You could probably get some good fresh fruits and vegetables at the grocery store. However, at this time of year, the local farmers bring their homegrown products to town and sell them in various farmers markets throughout the Hudson County area. When you shop at a farmers market, you not only get fresh, locally grown food, you help the local economy by patronizing local businesses.
Another advantage of shopping farmers markets is that local veggies and fruits are only the beginning. Farmers markets tend to attract vendors of other products also. You can usually find places that specialize in all different sorts of items. There’s usually someone who features pickled items, such as various varieties of olives, or pickled cauliflower, or those little ears of corn.
Local nurseries sometimes ply their wares at farmers markets also. You can get some nice fresh flowers or planters for your condo. You might even be able to get an herb-growing kit for your kitchen windowsill. Maybe you’d like a small tree, or a hanging plant for your balcony.
Let’s not forget the bakery goods you can obtain. A nice coffee cake for breakfast sounds good. If you’re looking for breads, the choices are many. What goes better than toasted sourdough bread with breakfast? A nice crispy French bread for dinner would be great too!
There are usually a few other kinds of vendors also. You can get homemade soaps, and the person selling those usually deals in essential oils and such. Beekeepers sell their honey. Look for a place that sells all kinds of nuts and dried fruits also. Last, but certainly not least, is the place that sells candies of all sorts, including many flavors of fudge!
Whatever your summer needs, you can usually fill them at your local farmers markets. Here’s a link to information about some of them in the Hudson County area.
What’s your favorite fresh summer food?
Edward