There are a few Sunday farmers markets, which are great if you have Saturday plans and still want to shop local and support small businesses at a farmers market. I recently visited the Community Farmers Market located in Egg Harbor Township on the Atlantic County Library grounds on Ocean Heights Avenue. This farmers market is in its fourth year and is hosted by April Himes, the owner of Little Paws Crafts LLC. The market runs through Aug. 25 and is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
There were about twenty vendors the day I visited including one micro green grower and the remaining were food and creative vendors. They normally have two more vendors selling produce but the day I visited they were not able to be at the market.
I visited Batch It Up Bakery, a cottage bakery and South Jersey’s favorite cookie dealer. I learned that her baked goods contain products she sources locally from the other vendors at the markets. She makes brownies that contain beets from a local farmer plus they offer gluten free. Batch It Up sells their signature batch buckets of cookies which are perfect to take along for a day at the beach, when you need to bring something to a get together or for a rainy day snack that will certainly cheer you up. Check out her social media page at Batch It Up Bakery to see what farmers markets and pop ups she will be at.
Another stop was at My Paws Treats. The young man who started this company is passionate about giving back to New Jersey animal shelters. He sells organic, all natural dog treats and with every My Paws Treat purchase a bag is donated to a shelter in need. The My Paws Promise states that “their mission to bring joy to dogs everywhere -both in loving homes and in shelters waiting for their forever families.” You can find more information about My Paws Treats on their website at www.mypawstreats.com
I stopped by the tent of beekeeper named David Elkner. He has been beekeeping for over 27 years and sells his local honey at the market. Bee Cool Pollination Honey has local pure honey along with flavored honey such as vanilla and hot peppers. David’s wife Saranna Elkner is co owner of the Crystal Hive, a charming shop in Mays Landing that sells tea blends, crystals, sourdough and more. At the market you can create your own tea blend with dried herbs. I watched as market goers were creating their unique blends with the herbs and spices displayed in gold bowls, making it inviting to see and smell what was in them. I will be visiting the shop soon and sharing all about this shop that is social place for the community.
Some of the other vendors included those making refreshing drinks which a friend I visited the market with purchased a mango drink with a Tajin rimmed glass. It was a hot day so having a drink to help cool off as you walk around is a nice treat. D’s food truck that sells breakfast sandwiches and cheese steaks is also a vendor at this market along with many crafters. Each week you can visit the Little Paws Crafts tent and get a raffle ticket to win a gift certificate to use at the next week’s market. While I was there last week’s winner received her certificate and was shopping. Gardening Neighbor- Micro Greens, Just Organics and Generous Greens all offer fresh produce at the market. You can follow the market on Facebook at Community Farmers’ Market.
Christina Martin is a dedicated chef educator, passionate advocate for healthy food, and proud mother. She shares her passion for seasonal cooking, plant-based living, and supporting local farms through both teaching and writing. Christina’s plant based expertise has been spotlighted in Independent Restaurateur Magazine.
