FARMERS’ MARKET BY WAGNER FARM ARBORETUM

This year marks the 5th year of the Farmers’ Market by Wagner Farm Arboretum. The first three years, the market was held at Wagner Farm Arboretum, which was an ideal setting for market to be located at a dairy farm, due to lack of foot traffic, the station was repositioned. Last year the market moved to the Warren Municipal Complex on the field by the library and went from an average of 100 people visiting the market each week to an average of 600 people per week.
The construction of the new municipal building and subsequent reduction of available parking spots, rendered the township unavailable to accommodate the market this year. Fortunately The Watchung Hills Elks were graciously offered their site, which is next to the municipal complex, for the farmers’ market.
The success of the market last year, increased the number of vendors from 12 to 16. The list of vendors includes Windsong Farms, an organic farm located in Warren; Malanga Farms, also located in Warren; Bakers Bounty, The BBQ Pit, Cherry Grove Farms, Defcon Sauces, The Farmer and the Chickpea, Gourmet Nuts and Dried Fruit, Krakus Deli, Lizzmonade, Italia Specialties, Morris Somerset Beekeepers, Nicola’s Pasta Fresca, Paolo’s Kitchen, Sweet Stuff Gourmet, and Ventimiglia Vineyard.
In addition to the vendors, live music every week and different activities to involve the community are planned. Tables will be made available each week for a local service or nonprofit organization, and a table for a local business. The Warren library and ARC of Somerset County have already booked their weeks.
The idea behind the market is to bring fresh, local produce, meats, cheeses and wines to area residents. The Wagner farm Arboretum has plans to make the market a community event, bringing people together to get to know the different organizations and business in town. “The benefits to Wagner Farm Arboretum are to have people know who we are and what our mission is as an Arboretum,” Mary DeLello expressed, “Wagner Farm Arboretum seeks to enrich, educate and inspire the community by increasing environmental awareness and recreational opportunities.”