ACDEVCO and Chelsea Economic Development Corporation (Chelsea EDC) have partnered with C.R.O.P.S. for a second year to bring an outdoor market to the Chelsea neighborhood of Atlantic City. Starting Saturday, August 20th and continuing every Saturday through October 29th, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., food and merchandise vendors, live entertainment, and activities will be offered to the community at O’Donnell Park, 3501 Atlantic Avenue (at Albany).
Along with farm vendors The Great Full Garden and Smith’s Poultry Farm, market vendors include Ryfe Bar and Restaurant, serving food and spirits; Island Creamery Ice Cream; Bar 32; Cuzzie’s Pizza; Brigantine Freshery; Lil’Lights Candle Co; and various other art and food vendors.
SNAP and WIC benefits are accepted at the market.
Activities hosted by C.R.O.P.S. include Flower Power; Seed Swap; Mushroom Madness; Sound Healing in the Park; Bulbs, Plein Air Drawing; Meditation in the Park; Herbs; Yoga; and other fun events.
On October 1st, Chelsea EDC will be announcing the 3rd Annual Best Empanada Challenge winner, with empanada tastings, empanada eating contests, and judging by your favorite local chefs.
Live entertainment at C.R.O.P.S.
Market @ Chelsea includes:
8/20: Gypsy Joe Vlado (Flamenco and more)
8/27: The Cousins – Mix of Reggae, Spanish, & Bluegrass
9/3: Brooke DiCaro – (Soul, blues, Jazz) www.brookedicaro.com
9/10: Charlie Wigo Duo
9/17: Gypsy Joe Vlado (Flamenco and more)
9/24: Marta & Chris (Gypsy Jazz, Brazilian Bosa Nova, French Bistro, & Roma Folk)
10/1: Gypsy Joe Vlado
10/8: Bronson Tennis of De Tierra Caliente – Latin/south American & Caribbean music and more) http://www.detierracaliente.com
10/15: Danny Eyer (Blues)
10/22: Marta & Chris Marta & Chris (Gypsy Jazz, Brazilian Bosa Nova, French Bistro, & Roma Folk)
10/29: Gypsy Joe Vlado (Flamenco and more)
One of the top priorities of the market is to nurture and grow local small businesses, with Chelsea and Atlantic City -based businesses receiving priority. C.R.O.P.S. and Chelsea EDC will assist with the city’s permit process, and there are no vendor fees to participate in the Chelsea Market. For vendor application and requirements, go to www.cropsnj.org/markets.
Programming will also include teaching residents about New Jersey’s recently adopted “cottage food” and “home baker” laws that allow certain items cooked in the home to be sold to the public.
C.R.O.P.S., Communities Revolutionizing Open Public Spaces, is a nonprofit organization that promotes healthy, connected communities, and has run the C.R.O.P.S. Market @ Linwood, the Tennessee Avenue market events, the C.R.O.P.S. Market @ Pleasantville and was the first farmers market in Atlantic County to become SNAP authorized as well as incorporate incentive spending through the Garden State Good Food Bucks program. C.R.O.P.S. worked to bring Community Supported Agriculture to Atlantic City in 2021 and in addition to running community gardens in Atlantic City, Pleasantville and Egg Harbor City, C.R.O.P.S. runs a paid internship program and online-in person hybrid education programs across the county and state.
ACDEVCO and Chelsea EDC continue to implement projects that support the community’s goals in the Chelsea Neighborhood Plan, including beautification, safety, home ownership, youth programming and recreation, and economic opportunity. The Chelsea Neighborhood Plan opens doors for grant funding. More information can be found at www.ChelseaEDC.org.
