By: Natasha Enis, Follow South Jersey Community Journalist
MOORESTOWN, N.J. – Even on a rainy Saturday, the upbeat atmosphere of the Burlington County Farmers Market cannot be suppressed. Music from a live band floats through the air as shoppers walk around, perusing various goods and chatting with vendors.
Under pavilions or pop-up tents and behind stalls, vendors display not only the expected fresh produce, but also handmade crafts and other locally-produced goods. Lush greenery characterizes the farm with walkways cutting through for shoppers’ ease. More than just a fun place to visit, this busy market brings the community together and celebrates local businesses.
Nineteen years ago, the Burlington County Agricultural Center commissioners founded the farmers market. Its goal was to strengthen the connection between the people in South Jersey and the area’s agricultural heritage and history. Over the years, it has grown in size and importance and has recently earned the title of New Jersey’s Favorite Farmer’s Market and third in the Northeast.
Known for having only locally grown or crafted products, the market has around sixty vendors present on any given day, selling a range of items from gourmet cheeses to fresh vegetables, broomsticks to ceramics, and empanadas to cherry pies. The emphasis is on locally-sourced items, as care is taken to make sure that the farms are selling only the produce they grow and that goods are made by the vendors themselves. Typically the market attracts thousands of shoppers each week.
The farmers market is carefully orchestrated, which sets it apart from other markets and is a key to its success. According to the organizer Barbra Flanagan, a lot goes into the market behind the scenes year round. Vendors are carefully selected to ensure high quality and to prevent the overlap of products sold. The vendors uniformly appreciate this, as it limits competition among them and keeps visitors satisfied.
Flanagan and many vendors noted that one of the most important aspects of the market is the community it creates. According to a vendor from ‘Tis So Sweet Bakery, “This is a place that brings people out on Saturdays and gives them a chance to see their neighbors. No one is in a rush – coming here is more about getting to know local businesses and trying new things.”
Without a doubt, the friendly and open atmosphere is at the heart of the farmers market. Most of the vendors are friends and recognize many of the regular shoppers by name.
Longtime visitor Maureen Freedman explains, “I’ve met so many great people here, and I love talking to everyone who is just as excited about the market as I am. That sort of interaction doesn’t really happen at any other shopping center.”
Additionally, this type of community is effective in directly supporting South Jersey’s local businesses.
“I think it’s important to go back to speaking with the person that’s making and selling the product,” Maura Catz says while rearranging fresh produce at her Fernbrook Farm stand. “That’s helpful for us because we get our name out there and receive direct feedback, which I really appreciate. It’s great for both the consumer and buyer.”
The Burlington County Farmers Market runs every Saturday from now to November, 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Their annual Peachy Party will be on August 2, an event where vendors give out baskets of peaches and peach-based food.
August 30 will be their tomato and pepper day, and the apple appreciation day will be October 18. Even after the regular season ends, shoppers can still attend the holiday market on December 6 and the indoor winter market in April and March.
The Burlington County Farmers Market is located at 500 Centerton Road, Moorestown.
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