Local farmers markets and stands feature Jersey-grown produce in August and early fall, and there are one-of-a-kind events such as peach pancake breakfasts and the opportunity to pick your own potatoes.
It’s time to reap what the Garden State has sown. August and September are the best months in New Jersey to visit your local farm or farm stand (or farmers market) and shop for an abundance of fruits and vegetables, herbs, meats, cheeses and produce from our local produce.
Here’s a handy list of North Jersey vendors and farmers markets to visit this harvest season (August through early October), whether to purchase groceries, grab a quick bite to eat, or attend a seasonal farm event.
Bergen County
Established in 1873, Stokes Farm continues to provide farm fresh produce and host on-farm events. Visit the stand and purchase tomatoes, hydroponic vegetables, chard and more.
Upcoming events: Sunset Snip and Snip, August 30. Pick flowers and bring your own drinks.
Go: 23 Dewolf Road, Old Tappan; 201-768-3931, stokesfarm.com.
All the produce you’d expect from a local farm, plus small-scale farm produce from other local producers. Stop by for that, or browse the extensive bakery section with cakes, breads and tea breads (you’ll want the courgette bread).
Go: 650 Old Hook Road, Emerson; 201-265-4835, oldhookfarm.com.
Work your way through the many flowers and plants and find your way to fresh produce, including locally or nearby grown foods: fruits, beans, lettuce and plenty of vegetables.
Go: 423 Goffle Road, Ridgewood; 201-652-7540, gofflebrookfarms.com.
Her greenhouse is full of plants you’ll want to take home, and her farm stand features meaty tomatoes, corn, figs, berries and more.
Go: 156 Summit Ave., Montvale; 201-930-8678, facebook.com/depierosfarm.
Demarest offers fresh fruit from the orchard (which you can pick yourself or pick up at the stand), apple fritters, prepared meals and more. There are also plenty of events and activities, such as a petting zoo.
Upcoming events: Wine Festival, August 10-11. Sample local wines and enjoy the scenery.
Go: 244 Werimus Road, Hillsdale; 201-666-0472, demarestfarms.com.
Abma’s may seem like a grocery store given the variety of items on offer, but it’s just your local (productive) farmers. Stop by their stand and buy staples like corn, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini and eggplant, as well as specialty vegetables like kohlrabi, bok choy, purple artichokes, garlic flower stems and purple cauliflower. And there’s more: prepared foods, eggs, dairy, honey, bread… the list is endless.
Upcoming events: U-Dig Potatoes, Saturdays in August. It is what it says, and it sounds pretty cool.
Go: 700 Lawlins Road, Wyckoff; 201-891-0278, abmasfarm.com.
Check this place out if you haven’t heard of it yet. They grow a variety of unique products from fairytale eggplants to different varieties of chicory, kohlrabi, jimmy nardello and shishito peppers and more. They also have ice cream, mushrooms, local grains and more in their shop.
Go: 681 Closter Dock Road, Closter; closterfarm.com.
Morris County
Union Hill is the oldest working farm in Morris County (it was founded in 1793). Their roadside stand sells their bountiful produce, including unique vegetables like peas, broccoli, asparagus, cabbage, garlic and more.
Go: 25 Cooper Road, Denville; 973-366-0440, unionhillfarms.com.
You can harvest your own vegetables here, but their extensive market also includes leafy greens, beets, carrots, tomatoes, corn, fennel, and more. You can also find baked goods, ice cream, meat, coffee, candy, gifts, decor, garden supplies, and more. Plus, they now have a wine company on site.
Upcoming events: Paint, Drink and Pick, August 15. Drink the house wine, paint sunflowers, then head out to the fields to pick some. Life could be worse.
Go: 15 North Road, Chester; 908-879-2908, stonyhillfarms.com.
There are cool, locally grown things like different types of eggplant, wax beans and figs, as well as lots of bread and other baked goods, fruits, cakes and more.
Go: 525 Route 24, Chester; 908-879-5509, parksfarmsnj.com.
There’s a lot to explore at Alstede Farms. There’s a cider mill, ice cream stand, mazes and walking trails, and a petting zoo. The farmers market offers many goods from elsewhere, but you can also buy local tomatoes or Romanesco broccoli or any number of prepared foods.
Upcoming events: On August 11th we will be hosting a peach pancake breakfast with ingredients fresh from the farm, the full event list can be found here.
Go: 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester; 908-879-7189, alstedefarms.com.
Lots of opportunities for picking your own produce, but also a farm stand with potatoes, broccoli, corn, rhubarb, tomatoes, fruit, eggs and more.
Go: 223 Meyersville Road, Gillette; 908-647-0957, hillview-farms.com.
Located on an abandoned lot in Morristown, this urban farm offers a variety of seasonal, fresh and inexpensive vegetables, herbs and eggs. Supporting Grow it Green supports their work to promote sustainable agricultural practices and educate the next generation of local farmers.
Upcoming events: Alfresco on the Farm, September 21. Take your kids to the stations on the farm to learn about seed saving, recycling and pollinators.
Go: 31 Hazel St., Morristown; 973-206-4177, growitgreenmorristown.org/farmstand.
At this 100-acre farm, you can pick up pasture-raised beef, poultry, pork, and brown eggs, and soon you’ll be able to pick your own pumpkins.
Go: 32 Ironia Road, Mendham; 908-619-0088, backerfarm.com.
Wightman Farms has been selling locally grown fruits and vegetables for nearly 100 years. Stop by and purchase peaches and nectarines, cherries and unique vegetables.
Go: 1111 Mt. Kemble Ave., Morristown; 973-425-9819, wightmanfarms.com.
These farmers, who have been in business for five generations, offer over 40 different types of vegetables. Their farm shop also sells home-grown meat, baked goods, local honey and much more.
Upcoming events: Ice Cream Meet and Science, August 21. The event is geared towards children, and everyone is welcome to eat candy and learn about science.
Go: 25 Bartley Road, Long Valley; 908-876-3351, ortfarms.com.
Passaic County
This fully stocked garden center offers flowers galore, but also a wide selection of farm-fresh produce, including peaches (as well as canned, seasoned and/or preserved peaches), honey, tomatoes, and even cherry-lemon pie made from fruit grown on the property (yes, even lemons).
Go: 1139 Van Houten Ave., Clifton; 973-777-7535, richfieldfarms.com.
This nonprofit farming and gardening operation aims to empower the next generation to farm sustainably. Visit the produce stand at their 2-acre urban farm in Clifton and purchase fresh produce, the purchase of which supports their mission.
Upcoming events: All About Apples, Sept. 21 at City Green Learning Garden in Paterson. Harvest from the gardens, eat apples from Eastside Park Orchard, and more.
Go: 171 Grove St., Clifton; 973-869-4086, citygreenonline.org/markets.
County of Somerset
This market sells freshly baked cakes and breads, cider doughnuts, cheese, milk, jelly and cider. The organic range includes meat, cheese, milk, frozen berries and frozen and fresh vegetables.
Go: 149 Washington Valley Road, Warren; 732-356-4244, bardyfarms.com.
Stop by their booth and enjoy plum tomatoes, sangria and seedless watermelon, as well as plenty of sweet corn, onions, potatoes, beets, zucchini and more.
Go: 1042 Windsor Road, Millstone; 609-575-4039, facebook.com/hylandfarmstand.
County of Sussex
Home-raised beef and pork, large brown eggs from the farm (plus milk and cheese), and plenty of fresh produce including our own white and bi-colored corn. Tranquility also offers homemade ice cream, a playground, and a garden/flower area.
Upcoming events: Sunflower Festival, August 17-18. Food trucks, beer from Czig Meister Brewing of Hackettstown, a “cow train,” bounce houses, pick-your-own sunflowers and more.
Go: 47 Decker Pond Road, Green Township; 908-979-0303, tranquillityfarmsnj.com.
Choose from Ideal’s fields of corn, tomatoes, zucchini, specialty peppers, melons and more. They also have prepared foods like yogurt, cheese, pates, ice cream and ham, as well as select local products like Whitehorse wines, Neil’s salsas and sauces, peach cider and cheeses from local producers. There is also a petting zoo and, for a limited time, a sunflower maze.
Upcoming events: Sussex County Maker Fair, September 30 – October 1. From engineers to artists, scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a platform for these “makers” to showcase their hobbies, experiments and projects.
Go: 222 NJ-15, Lafayette; 973-579-3893, idealfarmandgarden.net.
This family-run farm sells organic produce and meat – meaning the vegetables don’t contain any dangerous chemicals and the livestock is grass-fed and pasture-raised. Stop by and enjoy eggplant, tomatoes and other produce, as well as an extensive range of prepared meals from burgers and pasta to jam, cakes and ice cream.
Go: 58 Sunset Hill Road, Lafayette; 973-300-0612, wesselhof.com.
Great produce like tomatoes, corn, beans and beets as well as fruit, salsas (corn and peppers are good) and homemade ice cream (try the peach).
Go: Lafayette Road, Woodruff’s Gap, Sparta; 973-383-8335, andersenfarmsnj.com.
Union County
This store offers a wide variety of fresh fruits (peaches, nectarines, watermelon and apples) and vegetables (kale, chard, broccoli, peppers and more), local honey, jams and preserves, fruit pies and quiches.
Go: 1123 Mountainside Ave., Mountainside; 908-228-3972, princesfarmstand.com.
Established in 1903, this roadside farmers market and garden center sells seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh-baked pies, fall chrysanthemums, pumpkins and more.
Go: 393 Madison Hill Road, Clark; 732-388-3273, slatestonefarmmarket.com.
