There is no telling what the weather will bring these days and if you are a farmers market vendor, you know the show goes on, rain or shine.
Markets close for inclement conditions such as lightning, wind and extreme heat. Normally, by the time it is called off or the rain showers show up, most vendors have already brought out their consumables.
On Saturday morning I checked the forecast and scattered showers were expected, so I packed the umbrella and ventured over to the Somers Point Farmers Market.
As I drove over to Somers Point, the weather did not look promising, as the roads were flooding. The Somers Point Farmers Market is located on the grounds of the landmark Somers Mansion, at 1000 Shore Road. It is just across from the Ninth Street Bridge leading into Ocean City.
The market will be open 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through Sept 7. Dogs are also welcome.
I had a great visit at the market and talked to many of the vendors. I also want to share my condolences with the Brook Bound Farm family on the loss of Rebecca Parker, co-owner with her husband, Matt and mother to four daughters.
One of my first articles was about my visit to Somers Point Farmers Market last year, where I got to speak with Rebecca and Matt. Their farm is pesticide-free. They also offer pasture-raised meat, which is fed high-quality grain.
She was so very welcoming and offered me her contact information if I had any questions about the farm.
Their family farm is located in Alloway, in Salem County.
The day I visited in July was before Rebecca passed and they had potatoes, tomatoes, onions, peppers and farm-fresh eggs available. Her daughters posed for some photos.
I was able to see my favorite spice shop vendors, Tina and Anthony, owners of Grassia’s Italian Market Spice Co. They were packing up to keep their spices out of the rain that had begun to fall. And lucky they did because, just as I got into my car, the skies opened on the market.
When buying spices, you want to purchase small amounts, which keeps them fresh.
Grassia’s offers some wonderful spice blends as well. I their vanilla, which is always great to keep to add when making a dessert. This time of year a fruit cobbler makes a comforting summer dessert.
Another vendor that I met at the market was Dina, the owner of The Original Banana Company. Dina started The Original Banana Company after working in the ice-cream business for 25 years. She opened a storefront in Laurel Springs, Camden County, but has also vacationed in Ocean City. She made her debut at the Jersey Shore at the Somers Point Farmers Market. She offers the original chocolate-dipped bananas, but she shared with me that she is excited about the partnerships she has made with local farms in South Jersey.
I got to see the UFO – her ice-cream sandwich that has homemade ice cream between homemade banana bread layers. The ice cream has seasonal flavors made by collaborating with local farms.
The day I visited the market, she had a blueberry UFO, made with Hammonton blueberries from Sam Mento Farms, LLC. Next up, she said, will be Jersey peaches. Follow them on Facebook at The Original Banana Company.
There are many other offerings at the market to check out including guacamole from Anita’s Guacamole.
The Potato Homestead has pesticide-free seasonal, fresh vegetables such as cucumbers, onions, cabbage and carrots. They also have fresh-baked sourdough breads.
Far and Away Farm has fresh-cut flowers and will help you create a gorgeous bouquet for your table or to take along for a hostess gift.
Misty Meadow Sheep Dairy Farm was there with a sheep that was enjoying some snacks and staying dry under the tent. Misty Meadow is a 16-acre dairy farm that produces small batches of sheep’s milk, cheese and frozen treats. Their sheep are fed non-GMO grain feed.
Babcia’s Polish Kitchen sells pierogies. Chef George, a culinary teacher and owner of the Walking Taco food truck, offers homemade pierogies at some of the local farmers’ markets.
A new vendor with organic beauty products is Wild Rose Organics. Their products include a Magnesium Lotion, Nourish SPF lotions and Herbal Balm.
The Somers Point Farmers Market has something for everyone. Support our local farms and artisans rain or shine.
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.
