Collingswood Farmers' Market

"People always say, 'Oh, farming is a hard life.' Sure there are hard parts -- the weather, the hours -- but doesn't every job have hard parts? Overall, it's a very satisfying, very rewarding career."
--Dawn Buzby, A.T. Buzby Farm

Commissioner Joan Leonard is Broccoli Rabe's unofficial Number One Fan. Its fall harvest began last Saturday.

September 6, 2008: Back to School
Weather forecast for Market hours:

FARMERS WILL BE HERE RAIN OR SHINE. We are always touched by the number of you who loyally come out to get your Jersey Fresh in the rain.

ONE EXCEPTION: Only if officials declare a STATE OF EMERGENCY for the South Jersey region, of floods, tornado, or severe unsafe conditions, the Market will be cancelled. Check the news.

The forecast doesn't say 100% chance of rain. So cross your fingers!

What's in season:
School. Some in-season brown-bag ideas:

Apples. The number one pick for easy packing, easy eating school lunches. No baggies, foil, or plastic wrap required.

Peaches. Easy eating number two. Also consider plums, nectarines and pears to mix it up a bit.

Local cheese cubes. A lifelong comfort food.

Peanut butter and...Market jams, jellies and butters. Bring your kid to the Market and let them pick their own jar. There are plenty of great sliced whole-grain breads at Great Harvest to spread them on, too. Maybe they'll be inspired to make their own sandwiches and pack their lunchboxes too.

Cured Meats: Hillacres Pride has varieties of lunchbox-safe jerky, dried sausages, snack sticks and bologna. Nitrate-free.

Mums. Okay, mums are not suitable for lunch. But they're in season.

IMPORTANT Event info:
"Party on Powell" ticket sales will not be at the market as previously announced, but tickets can be purchased at the door to the event that night. We've been asked to spread the word about the rain location: "PARTY ON POWELL" WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE COLLINGSWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER. To learn more about this Borough party fundraiser, happening on Saturday night, visit Collingswood.com.

Special Thanks: Each Market vendor contributed toward auction baskets for the event. Partygoers can buy chances to win TWO Market goodie bag prizes worth over $100 each! Special thanks also to Flaim Farm, Duker T, Versailles Bakery and Dolinski and Sikking's flower farms for contributing to the food and flowers for the event.

Bring the Kids on Sept. 20th:
On September 20th, during Market hours and also that afternoon, Perkins Center for the Arts is hosting a a bug-themed tile painting party for kids. Right across the street from the Market, Perkins' Collingswood location. This is a ticketed event and is expected to sell out. For more info, visit www.perkinscenter.org. Perkins Center for the Arts is a Market Sponsor.

Recipes: Great Broccoli rabe--there's a secret to preparing it . Click here to view and print.

Perennial Market News
Check out these links for season-long or multi-week Market happenings:

Produce ON THE GO: Produce sold on Wednesdays at PATCO .
Pre-order Hillacres Pride meats .
Canned Goods/Pantry donations .
Cooking Jersey Fresh: Cooking Demos .
Vendor Links .
Tortilla Press "Market tours" and vegetarian nights .

Our 2008 Sponsors.
We are a thriving Market with their support. Thanks!