Here's everything you need to know about Jersey Shore farmers markets

Sarah Griesemer, Asbury Park Press
Updated ·7 min read

Gone are the days when a farmers market consisted only of a few tables piled high with fresh fruit and vegetables.

Today's markets feature farmers and a lot more, including vendors selling flowers, pastries, pasta, cheese, beer and spirits, seafood, coffee and more. Shoppers can find treats for pets, handmade items and even food trucks.

More than 20 farmers markets in Monmouth and Ocean counties are scheduled for spring, summer and even into fall. Here are the details.

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Asbury Park

The Asbury Fresh farmers and makers market takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, May 5 to Oct. 27, on Emory Street between Cookman and Lake avenues. For more information, visit asburyfresh.com.

Atlantic Highlands

The borough's market takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays, May 31 to Sep. 27, at Veterans Park, 111 First Ave. Vendors include Au Honey, Beachfront Organics, Picklelicious, Innoculated Farms, Beckage Farms, House of Treasures, Paolo's Kitchen, Ridiculous Redhead Farm, Snyder's Wooden Toys and Vintage Variety Creations, among others. For more information, visit ahchamber.org.

Barnegat

Honeycrisp apples at Krowicki's Farm Market in the New Egypt section of Plumsted, which grows more than 31 different types of apples.
Honeycrisp apples at Krowicki's Farm Market in the New Egypt section of Plumsted, which grows more than 31 different types of apples.

The township's market takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays, June 27 to Sept. 19, at 14 Birdsall St. Vendors include Eckert's Farm, Sassafras Hill Farm, Krowicki's Farm Market, High Mountain Foods, the Barnegat Community Garden, Cream Ridge Winery, Lily's Bread Basket, Jersey Charm Coffee, and Snow Chi Peruvian Cuisine, among others. For more information, visit barnegat.net.

Bay Head

The borough's market is from noon to 4 p.m. Thursdays, July 6 through September, in the municipal lot at 83 Bridge Ave., and will feature The Farm, Kauffman Farms and a plant vendor. For more information, visit instagram.com/bayheadfarmersmarket.

Bradley Beach

The Main Street Market takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, June 1 to Sept. 7, at Riley Park, 615 Main St. This is a farmers and makers market. For more information, visit asburyfresh.com.

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Brick

Cheese crumb cake from 502 Baking Company in Brick.
Cheese crumb cake from 502 Baking Company in Brick.

More than 60 vendors frequent this farmers market, which takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays, May 4 to Sept. 28, at Windward Beach Park, 265 Princeton Ave. Vendors include 502 Baking Company, Cream Ridge Winery, Manna Bagels Cafe, Bon Nut Butters, Jaker's Pickles, Icarus Brewing, Ramblin Sol Farm, Port Coffee, Shore Sauce and more; find a complete list at brickfarmersmarket.com.

Freehold Borough

The borough farmers market takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 pm. Fridays, June 28 to Oct. 18, in front of the Hall of Records, 1 E. Main St. For more information, visit downtownfreehold.com.

Highlands

Fresh peaches from Hauser Hill Farms in Old Bridge, which will be a vendor at the Highlands and Red Bank farmers markets this year.
Fresh peaches from Hauser Hill Farms in Old Bridge, which will be a vendor at the Highlands and Red Bank farmers markets this year.

The Highlands Business Partnership’s farmers market takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, June 15 to Nov. 16, at Huddy Park, Bay and Waterwitch avenues. Vendors include Hauser Hill Farms, Fresh Pik Farms, and vendors selling baked goods, pasta, cheese, eggs, honey, juice and soaps. For more information, visit highlandsnj.com.

Holmdel

Bell Works Fresh, a farmers and makers market, takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Nov. 27 at Bell Works, 101 Crawfords Corner Road. A monthly makers market takes place from noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 19 at Bell Works. For more information, visit asburyfresh.com.

Howell

The township's market takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, May 19 to Oct. 27, at Echo Lake Park, 1225 Maxim Southard Road. There will be holiday markets in November and December. Vendors include The Farm, Jersey Pickles, Meg's Coffee Bar, and Tater Bear Treats. Others sell bakery items, iced drinks, juices, cheese, pies, jam and soap. For more information, visit instagram.com/farmersmarketinhowell.

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Lacey

This market takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, May 24 to Sept. 27, at Lacey United Methodist Church, 203 Lacey Road in the Forked River section of the township. For more information, visit facebook.com/laceyfarmersmarket.

Long Branch

Find JerZey Girl Pickles at the Long Branch farmers market this summer.
Find JerZey Girl Pickles at the Long Branch farmers market this summer.

The West End farmers market will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays, June 6 to Oct. 17, at West End Park, 607 Ocean Ave. Vendors include Jeff’s Organic Produce, Asprocolas Farms, Smiling Earth Mushrooms, Gino's Italian specialties, JerZey Girl Pickles, Petite Baguette and local farms. For more information, visit facebook.com/LongBranchFarmersMarket.

Marlboro

Celebration Butter from Butter Me Up in Toms River is made with vanilla, almond and sprinkles.
Celebration Butter from Butter Me Up in Toms River is made with vanilla, almond and sprinkles.

The market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, June 2 through October, at 444 Route 520, and features more than two dozen vendors each week. Vendors include Butter Me Up, Bean Muggin Coffee Co., Cherry Grove Farm, Krakus Deli, Beach Bee Meadery, Gelateria La Piazza, Garden State Distillery, Bee Free Farm and more. For more information, visit facebook.com/groups/MarlboroFarmersMarket.

Matawan

The market will take place from 1 to 6 p.m. Fridays, June 7 to Sept. 27, at 201 Broad St. Vendors include Kauffman Farms, Jersey Pickles, Confections by Carla, Koltuk's Honey, Wood Box Soap, Mystic Crystals, Thrifted Highdye Company, and The Belford Bead. For more information, visit matawanborough.com.

Red Bank

Freshly picked produce from Hauser Hill Farms in Old Bridge, which will be a vendor at the Highlands and Red Bank farmers markets this year.
Freshly picked produce from Hauser Hill Farms in Old Bridge, which will be a vendor at the Highlands and Red Bank farmers markets this year.

The Red Bank farmers market takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, May 12 through mid-November, in The Galleria parking lot, Bridge Avenue and West Front Street. Vendors include Hauser Hill Farms, E.R. & Son Farm, Grossman Farms, Dr. Pickle, Breadsmith, and Shore Shake. For more information, visit thegalleriaredbank.com.

Broadwalk Fresh, a farmers and makers market, takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, June 6 to Sept. 26, on Broad Street downtown. For more information, visit asburyfresh.com.

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Sea Bright

This farm and artisan market takes place from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays at 1197 Ocean Ave. Vendors include The Farm, Koltuk's Honey, Butch's Hot Stuff Hot Sauce, Hear Here, Ridiculous Farm, The Belford Bead, and Locust Pointe Flower Barn. For more information, visit seabrightnj.org.

Seaside Park

The borough's farmers market takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, May 24 to Sept. 2, on the marina lawn, 101 J St. For more information, visit seasideparknj.org.

South Toms River

The market takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays, May 16 to Oct. 17, at Mathis Plaza, 134 Route 166. For more information, visit facebook.com/STRMathisPlazaFarmersMarket.

Stafford

The township's market takes place from 4 p.m. to dusk July 8 and 29, and Aug. 12 and 26 at Manahawkin Lake Park, 86 N. Main St. in the Manahawkin section. For more information, visit staffordnj.gov.

Surf City

This farmers market takes place from 8 a.m. to noon Mondays, June 17 through August, at the Surf City Firehouse, 713 Long Beach Blvd. For more information, visit facebook.com/SCFDfarmersmarket.

Toms River

Fresh produce at the Toms River Farmers Market
Fresh produce at the Toms River Farmers Market

The downtown Toms River farmers market takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, June 12 to Oct. 2, in the town hall courtyard on Washington Street. For more information, visit downtowntomsriver.com.

Tuckerton

A loaf of sourdough from Sourbro Baked Goods of Stafford.
A loaf of sourdough from Sourbro Baked Goods of Stafford.

Tuckerton Farmers Market takes place from 8 a.m. to noon Fridays, June through Aug. 30, at the Union Market, 120 W. Main St. As of press time, vendors include Eastbound Acres and Sourbro Baked Goods, among others. Spring markets will take place April 19 and May 17 before the start of the summer market season. For more information, visit instagram.com/tuckertonfarmersmarket.

Another market takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, May 14 to Sept. 24, at Church of the Holy Spirit, 220 E. Main St. Vendors include Krowicki's Farm Market, High Mountain Foods, A&A Dips, Busy Bees Honey, Chillin Out Ice Cream and Mary’s Mobile Diner, among others. For more information, call 609- 296-9618 or search Tuesday Farmers Market on Facebook.

Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to [email protected], follow on Instagram at Jersey Shore Eats and subscribe to our Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore farmers markets: Hours, dates and what you need to know

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