Westmont has a farmers market. Who knew?

I got waylaid by a million yard sales yesterday on my way home from the first day of the Collingswood Farmers Market (pictures and report to come tomorrow), and as I was hopping from yard sale to yard sale I saw a lawn sign on a corner about The Westmont Farmers Market.

Huh? How did this slip past my radar. Don't know, but it did. Their website isn't up and working yet, but I was able to get some information on this mid-week market.

The Westmont Farmers Market opens this Wednesday, May 6 on the corner of Haddon and Stratford Avenues from 4-7 in the evening. It will run each Wednesday through October and will be offering fresh, locally grown produce, meats, cheeses, bedding plants, fresh cut flowers and prepared foods direct to Haddon Township and the surrounding community. Started as a one-time event in October of 2008, the market’s popularity led to the opening of a summer mid-week market this year.

I am really happy that there is a mid-week market in the area. I love waking up on Saturday mornings and heading to the market, but it's not possible to get there every weekend. This market will give me the opportunity to make it to a farmers market each week, pick up items I run out of mid-week, and become acquainted with more vendors and local foods.

Guess where I'll be late Wednesday afternoon.

South Jersey Farmers Markets opening dates in May

In the next few weeks, many of the local farmers markets will be opening - others won't open until June.

Here is a list of the opening dates in May that I could find. If you know of anything I've missed, please leave a comment.

Camden County

Collingswood Farmers Market - Opening Saturday, May 2, 2009 and open every Saturday through the weekend before Thanksgiving. 8am - noon.

Gloucester City Farmers Market - Opening Mother's Day, Sunday, May 10, 2009, this new market will be open every Sunday until November 22 at the Marina in Proprietor’s Park. 10am - 2pm.

Haddonfield Farmers Market - Opening Saturday, May 2, 2009 and open every Saturday through the fall (unsure of exact last date). 8am - noon.

Salem County

Woodstown Farmers Market - The 2009 Woodstown Farmers' Market begins May 8th, 2009 and will be held every Friday from 9am-2pm through October. Located along the railroad tracks in historic Woodstown, New Jersey, the 1st Annual Woodstown Farmers' Market will feature Jersey Fresh produce grown by local farmers in the Salem County area.

I'll do another post in a couple of weeks with all of the markets that will be opening in June.

New farmers market will open in Gloucester City

According to Cleary's Notebook, beginning Sunday, May 10, Gloucester City will have its own farmers market. It will be open every Sunday until November 22 at the Marina in Proprietor’s Park. Additionally, on the second Sunday of each month there will be crafts people and artisans selling original works.

There will be a wide range of produce available, including Jersey Fresh vegetables from several farms, Jersey Fresh fruits from local orchards, certified organic produce, fresh herbs, fresh honey, fruit preserves, jams and butters, sweet bakery treat, authentic French-style baked breads, Jersey Grown cut flowers, gourmet coffees and breakfast treats.

Also, there will be a Gloucester City table, giving out info about the town and local businesses, and fundraising tables available for local organizations.

To buy a space, or for information, call Kelly at 1-888-202-2155, or email gcfarmersmarket@-gmail.com.

Haddonfield Farmers Market opens May 2

The Haddonfield Farmers Market will be opening for the season on May 2. The market features fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and dairy, bakery items and non-edible garden plants.

Their website announces that they will have a Haddonfield Farmers Market Harvest Festival this year (date to be announced) where gardeners can enter their vegetables. Winning categories for kids under age 10, tweens and teens, and adults.

The market is held at the Presbyterian Church parking lot off Kings Highway at Chestnut Street
(about halfway between PATCO station & Haddon Avenue). Parking is free.

Collingswood Farmers' Market Opens May 2

Okay, it's April 1st. Time for me to start focusing on this blog since the local foods are going to start rolling in soon.

I got an e-mail from Collingswood Farmer's Market this morning. They will be opening May 2 - only one month to go. It will be the market's 10th season. Collingswood Farmers' Market also has a page on Facebook now that you fan. If you post comments on the page or photos of the market on the page you could win a $5 gift certificate to the market.

If you've never made your way to the Collingswood Farmers' Market, you need to check it out. Fresh produce, local meats, cheeses and eggs, fresh bread from local bakeries, and my boys' favorite apple cider donuts are just a few of the things I come home with every week. Get there early - the market opens at 8am, and after the first few weeks by about 9am it's very crowded.

I cannot wait to see the first strawberries of the season in about 7 weeks. I miss strawberries. I know I can buy them at the grocery store all year round, but it's one of the foods that I choose to only eat locally and in season.

If you know of opening dates for other farmer's markets in the region, please leave them in the comments, and I'll be post them here. In fact, any event that you know of that would interest a locavore, I'd be happy to post about.