Middlesex County Farmers' Markets Guide 2021

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ — Summer is quickly approaching, which means local farmers markets will be popping up across Middlesex County very soon. Some, such as Highland Park, have opened already!

It's the perfect time to support these local businesses, farmers and artisans.

The Centers for Disease Control says outdoor farmers markets are a "lower risk shopping option" that benefits both shoppers and the community. Guidelines include mask-wearing, social distancing, and maintaining good hygiene.

So if you're looking to buy fresh produce from a local farmers market, check out this list of all the locations in the area:

South Amboy: There is a farm market on the south side of Bordentown Ave. in South Amboy (east of the Parkway overpass). They grow the produce in the farm out back behind the farm stand. There has also been a fresh vegetable market off Broadway in South Amboy (on the west side of the railroad tracks).

Highland Park: The Highland Park farmers' market opened for the season Friday, April 23 and will remain open every Friday from 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. through Dec. 17. The farmers' market is located at 212 Raritan Avenue, Highland Park, NJ 08904 Come by for local honey, fresh produce from Melick's Farm, Von Thun's, Union Hill Farms, organic meats and cheese from Cherry Grove Farm, artisanal sorrel (hibiscus tea) on the last Friday of each month, cold brew coffee from May-October from Lucid Coffee Co. (Somerville) and take-home Italian dishes and sauces. See the full list of vendors here: https://www.mainstreethp.org/f...

Metuchen: The Metuchen farmers' market will open May 22 this year and it is located at 33 Pearl Street, Metuchen, NJ 08840. Hours will be 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturdays all summer long. There will NOT be a drive-through or curbside pickup. There is free, three-hour parking available in the parking deck. For a list of vendors, go here: http://www.metuchenfarmersmark... or call (732) 510-0242 for more info.

Woodbridge: Woodbridge Twp. farmers' market opens Saturdays starting June 26 and the farmer is Alstede Farms, same as last year. It is open every Saturday through September from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Located in front of Woodbridge Town Hall, 1 Main Street, Woodbridge, NJ and free parking in the NJ Transit parking lot on Eleanor Street and Parker Press Park. Learn more: https://www.twp.woodbridge.nj....

East Brunswick: Yes, there is a farmers' market in East Brunswick! Open on the first and third Sunday of every month, at the parking lot in the Brunswick Square Mall. The market already opened in mid April for the 2021 season. Open 11-4 p.m. on Sundays; their vendor list rotates weekly. Learn more here: https://www.facebook.com/EBFar...

East Brunswick: Giamarese Farm & Orchards will reopen for the season April 28 at 10.m. Spring Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. "Our farm market will be stocked for all of your needs. We will have flowers & seed starts for your gardens, too!" 155 Fresh Ponds Road East Brunswick, NJ 08816 http://www.giamaresefarm.com/

South Brunswick: Pennsylvania Dutch Farmers Market. Indoors, locals' secret. 4437 Rt 27 Princeton, NJ 08540 Classic PA Dutch market selling homemade baked goods, doughnuts, pies, cheese, jam, pickles, pretzels, excellent meats, fish, poultry and jam and honey. Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday only, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Saturday closes at 4)

South Brunswick: VonThun’s Country Farm Market reopens for the season in mid May. Open daily mid-May through October 31 Monday – Friday, 10 am-6:30 pmSaturday & Sunday, 9 am-6 pm Von Thun's offers so much more than just a market and U-pick: They aim to be your family destination for children's fun all year round. They offer school field trips, adult gardening classes, kids' make-a-planter workshop, Barnyard Buddies Father's Day, pony rides and more: https://vonthunfarms.com/sb/#/

New Brunswick: New Brunswick will have two farmers' market locations this summer in the heart of the city: NBCFM Market Pavilion 178 Jones Avenue New Brunswick and Kilmer Square Park 108 Albany Street New Brunswick. They will open in June; an exact date was not given. They are open Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday and their hours can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/nbcfa... They also double SNAP and WIC or Senior FMNP, up to $10 per customer, per day.

Did we miss a great farmers' market you want to let the world know about? Contact this Patch reporter: Carly.baldwin@patch.com Sign up to get Patch emails: https://patch.com/subscribe