Farmers Market Opens Saturday

It's back, and this time, it's early.

The Chatham Borough Farmers Market opens Saturday morning, two weeks before its season usually begins.

Chatham Borough Council President John Holman announced the market's new opening day at the council meeting Monday, encouraging residents to "get on out there" and pick up their fresh local produce.

Old favorite vendors will be at the market this year, including Melick Towne Farm, Unionville Vineyards, Snoep Winkel Farm and Valley Shepherd Creamery.

Muth Farms will have a booth selling their conventional produce, as will , selling, well, pickles. If you need a morning pick-me-up, Moon Doggie Roasters and Jersey Juice Company will sell coffee and juices at the market throughout the season.

Local business owners from Chatham and Madison will also have their usual booths. Some, such as the Chatham Bakery and Bread Shoppe, are usually at the market each week. Others, such as Fontanarosa's Homemade Ravioli & Pasta, Mangia Fest, Pascarella Bros. Delicatessen and Secret Garden Soaps, have made periodic appearances in past seasons. All have signed up for the new season as well.

Some new vendors have also signed up for the new season, including American Kettle Corn, Healthy Laughter LLC and 7.2 Diet.

Look for these other vendors throughout the new season:

• Bacon Bits
• Chocolista
• Ducky Life Teas
• Mediterranean Snack Food Co.
• Peony's Envy Flower Farm
• Ripa Organic Olive Oil
• E Everydayjun
• Edge of the Knife
• Flats for Feathered Friends
• Sally Lunn's Tea Shoppe
• Gourmet Nuts & Dried Fruits
• J&J Italian Ice
• WoodsEdge Wools Farm, LLC
• Local Smoke BBQ
• Lost Loon Farms

The Farmer's Market begins with great momentum after Fishawack, when two of their most active volunteers, Mary Goodbread and her granddaughter Sarah Lowe, were recognized at this year's Fishawack Festival as part of the Mayor's Awards.

Their contributions, Borough Mayor Bruce A. Harris said, "have been vital to the market's success."

The market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the southern parking lot of the Chatham New Jersey Transit station.