We’ve had only a few teases of true spring this past month, and it’s been an especially tough time for Garden State farmers: Four nor’easters in March hit New Jersey’s farms hard, setting back plantings and damaging some early crops.
But May dawns tomorrow, and we’re going to see the seasonal farmers’ markets in bloom very soon. More common throughout the state now than a mere decade ago, farmers’ markets are where more and more Jersey residents shop. They’re the place to get the freshest and best produce from farmers and homemade products from food artisans—and lots of great tips on how to prepare and serve these foodstuffs as well.
Here at Table Hopping, a community of great-food lovers, we’d like to ask for your opinions on our state’s farmers’ markets.
For shoppers: What’s your favorite farmers’ market, the one you shop most frequently? Who are the farmers you patronize at this market? Who are the food artisans you buy from there? What do you wish this market had that it currently does not have?
For farmers’ market managers: What is new at your market this season? What are your market’s top farms? Food artisans? What’s most special about your market?
For chefs and other culinary professionals? What farmers’ markets do you frequently patronize? What do you get at farmers’ markets that you cannot get anywhere else? What’s a dish you’ve created based on a farmers’ market find?
For everyone: Is there a new farmers’ market out there? Where? When will it be open? What’s on tap?
Please e-mail your thoughts, providing your name and hometown, and, if you are a chef or other culinary pro, the name and address of your business, to Andy Clurfeld at [email protected]. I will share your thoughts right here at Table Hopping. Deadline for submissions: Wednesday, May 16.
Thank you!