Scotch Plains Farmers Market

The produce stand in the back (furthest from the main street) — LIFE CHANGING TOMATOES. You must get the baskets of cherry tomatoes. They have at least 5 different kinds. BUY ALL OF THEM. The other produce is good (found some rot in some other items, but that is to be expected), and some items are better priced than others, but the tomatoes are where it’s at. Also beautiful flowers. (A+)
There’s also a pie lady (a solid B), empanadas (B+), pierogis and stuffed cabbage (B-​), cookies sold by asians (A-​), pickles sold by kids who don’t look like they really want to be selling pickles (A), the stand that sells different flavored olive oils, another vegetable stand, dog biscuit seller, ravioli that I wanted to get, a bready bakery, a vegan everything bakery, and a couple others I can’t remember. But since we’re trying to make a habit of it (BECAUSE OF THE TOMATOES), I’ll have more to come.

While the Scotch Plains farmers’ market is on the small side (usually just 3 vegetable/​fruit vendors, which is what I’m looking for), I drive right by the Westfield farmers’ market on my way to this one — 2 vs 5 miles. They’re open earlier in the day, earlier in the season and that is enough to make me a loyal customer. The vendors are also nice (r?). And there’s a scone/​muffin vendor (Ester) who makes the best scones. I love scones and I’ve had a lot of dry, yucky scones in my search for good ones and these are so yummy. I can’t wait until next weekend when they open up again.

One of the best things about living in the NJ suburbs is the local community farmers’ markets, which run from mid-​June through early November. Many of the surrounding communities, including Westfield (Saturday), Summit (Sunday), Springfield (Monday), and Millburn (Friday), also host large, weekly farmers’ markets, with a variety of different items available.
Scotch Plains has a larger variety of vendors this year, and prices are more reasonable than those in the chichi communities of Summit, Millburn, and Westfield. I think I paid $ 7 for a bagette in Summit one year, so I don’t shop there very often.
This morning’s haul from three long-​time vendors here, Ort Farms of Long Valley, Corner-​Copia of East Windsor, and Asprocolas Acres of Millstone, included fresh, local sweet corn, tomatoes, onions, arugula, zucchini blossoms, cantaloupe, peaches, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, a dozen farm fresh eggs, and a bouquet of fresh flowers.
Also, a jar of honey and a pound of homemade butter from the Amish lady, a quart of my favorite kosher barrel pickles from Pickle Licious, fresh bread from the Lithuanian bakery, amazing fresh mozzarella from Florence Ravioli Co., and a pint of homemade summer berry ice cream from a new vendor that I hadn’t met until this morning. I didn’t catch her name, but she donates half the money she earns from her homemade ice cream to a shelter for battered women. The flavor knocked me out, and my wife and I fought over the pint while watching TV, and quickly polished the entire thing off.
If you are in the area, come out and support the local farmers, and buy some great fresh produce and homemade prepared foods. Saturdays, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.