Opening day at Collingswood Farmers Market
I wasn’t there at exactly 8am – closer to 8:30. By the time I got there the market was already buzzing even with the damp, gray weather. It threatened to rain the entire time I was there, but it didn’t. It did begin to rain a little later in the morning, though, so I’m sure the market got some rain.
All of the regular vendors that I had missed all winter were there – Springdale Farms with the cider donuts for my boys; DanLynn Farms had the organic fertilizer for my vegetable garden that worked so well last year, organic scallions, and eggs; Hillacres Pride Farm supplied me with grass fed ground beef from happy cows and a half pound of bacon; Buzby Farms sold me a couple of eggplant ($1 each!) and pepper plants (50 cents each!) that were leftover from their own planting; Sikking Flowers had beautiful fresh cut tulips; and Mind Your Own had my favorite wildflower honey.
Not everything I bought was local – lemons won’t ever be local and the peppers I bought were from Florida
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My favorite part of the morning was getting breakfast. Chef Mark Smith from the Tortilla Press had set up a booth and gone to the vendors before the market opened to buy produce to make breakfast with local ingredients. He made quesadillas with broccoli or with leaks and spinach. I had a leak and spinach quesadilla for breakfast, and it was delicious. I can’t wait to see what he comes up as more and more local produce comes into season.
I walked away with three shopping bags full of food including some asparagus that I’m going to try to make asparagus guacomole with. If it’s a success, I’ll post the recipe here.
I gotta be honest, Robin — asparagus guacamole? Doesn’t even sound the least bit palatable. But then, I can’t stand asparagus . . . good luck with that.
I’m giving it a try. In trying to promote the local aspect, asparagus is what is in season at the moment and abundant. I figured I’d give it a shot and if it’s good I get a post here and a post on MNN out of it.
But, I get your skepticism. I’m a bit skeptical myself.
Oooh, thanks for posting about the individual vendors at C’wood Mkt. I don’t get that way too often, even though my best friend lives in town, but now with a local, grass-fed meat provider around I’ll have extra motivation. Too bad I won’t have a free Saturday morning til almost June (wah!).
Maybe I’ll find some grass-fed meat sources at the Westmont Farmers market tomorrow when it opens. I’ll let you know. They are going to be open Wednesday evenings – 4-7pm.
Out of curiosity, and because you obviously go more often than I, which market do you prefer — Collingswood or Haddonfield — and why? Does the former have any better prices?
Also, I would be interested in emailing with you about freelancinwriting nda such. Please email me if you are willing to share your insight on that too.
(Excuse my typos. The mac doesn’t like text boxes and garbles it so I can’t edit.)
Thank you.
Janine – I prefer Collingswood. I went to Haddonfield twice last year. Collingswood has more of a variety and I found the prices to be better. Haddonfield is good in a pinch for me though and on the days when Collingswood has a street festival going on and the farmers market, I’d rather pay a couple extra bucks at Haddonfield than deal with the crowds and parking in Collingswood.
Feel free to e-mail me with your freelance questions – robin at shreeves dot net