HOWELL – Howell Township’s seasonal farmers market is back and open for business every weekend throughout the summer. A small group of vendors and food trucks meets every Sunday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Echo Lake Park, located off Maxim Southard Road.
The farmers’ market features many small businesses owned by residents of the town and the surrounding area. While a few vendors vary from week to week, some remain the same and have become staples at the farmers’ market. The market typically features an average of around 15 vendors, with some weeks having significantly more.
Howell’s Farmers Market is just one in a handful set up and managed by Jennifer Perkel. In addition to Howell, Perkel is the lead organizer for farmers’ markets in Allenhurst, Atlantic Highlands, Jackson, Hazlet, and Sea Bright.
One of the most popular vendors in the market is the Sourdough Streets, a cottage bakery stand that sells sourdough baked goods. According to the owner, Desiree Ruas, and other stand owners around the market, this stand has become so popular that it usually sells out of product within the first two hours of the market being open. Ruas bakes all of her products out of her own home, which has become a micro-bakery where patrons can pick up curbside baked goods. She has been taking her talents to the farmers’ market for the past two years and has built up a small following of customers who come to the market every week to pick up her product.
Another common sight at the farmers’ market is the Nuts For Birds stand. The owner, Erin Cook, and her son Matthew make Eco-Friendly Gourmet Bird Cakes and Feeders meant to attract local birds while not harming the environment. They sell feeders that can have replacement cakes bought for them, so patrons do not have to keep buying new feeders. They also sell different feeder designs based on the different colors of different woods, such as oak, birch, etc.
The market also has a few vendors who deal with flowers and landscaping. The Jersey Plant Guys are one of those vendors. According to one of the workers, they largely work with perennials that come back to life every year in the spring/summer. Their stand at the farmers’ market had a number of these flowers for purchase. They also offer garden consultations and installation/landscaping as well.
Another one of the flower vendors is Cecille Flower Farm. This small scale flower farm/vendor sells various bouquets that include many different flowers grown in the owner’s garden. These bouquets are meant to fill an area with color and brighten up a room.
One of the actual farms that has become a consistent vendor at the market is Kauffman Farms, which has been family-owned and operated since 1961. In 1987, they opened their farmstead to sell their product, but did not expand to selling at farmers’ markets and wholesale until 2002. Due to a close relationship with market manager Perkel, they have become a weekly vendor at the market, selling fresh produce such as tomatoes, carrots, and much more.
The market includes more than just stands. Throughout the year, Howell’s market has included food trucks, coffee trucks, and even some live performances from local bands.
Perkel discussed some plans for the farmers’ market. She emphasized how they need to get the word out there more in order to have a better turnout consistently. She also discussed how she has the goal to make the farmers market a year-round event and that they are working on different plans to make that goal a reality.
The Farmers Market started its season on May 18 and will be open every Sunday, barring extreme weather, until October 26.
