Every Sunday morning into afternoon, from nine to one o'clock, the Ramsey Farmers' Market occupies a space just beyond the train tracks on Main Street, rain or shine.
Each week, the organization's committee features a prominent vendor within the region. The outdoor market, supported by local sponsors, runs until Nov. 24, but shifts indoors afterwards to the Smith School location at 73 Monroe Street. The Ramsey Historical Society, in coordination with the Borough of Ramsey, officially established the volunteer-run market in 2010.
"My favorite part of the farmers' market is supporting local organic farmers and chatting with them," junior Donna Elazar said. "There is also usually love music and crafts as well, which is fun. I shop local because it simply makes sense. I've done produce price comparisons, and local organic produce usually is fresher and the same price, or even cheaper than at the supermarket. I've been going every one or two weeks this semester. "
Suffern offers a farmers' market every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. During the summer months, the weekly outdoor location is downtown in parking lot A at the bottom of Lafayette Avenue on the corner of Orange and Wayne Avenues, no matter the weather, from June into October.
During the winter season, the indoor location sits in the Suffern Community Center at 41 Washington Avenue from November into April. It takes place bi-weekly from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Specific dates can be found online at suffernfarmersmarket.wordpress.com.
Oakland houses two different kinds of markets. There is a traditional weekend-style market, open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays to "promote local farms, food crafters, the arts and a sense of community," according to the Oakland Farmers' Market website. The organization always seeks help; an online volunteer form can be found at oaklandfarmersmarket.com. However, the outdoor market will be closed for the rest of the season until June 2014. It is located at 1 Municipal Plaza.
Additionally, towards the end of last June, a Giant Farmers' Market — open year-round, seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays – sells a combination of fresh produce and packaged goods, most of which are vegan-friendly, organic and GMO-free. The storefront is located in the Copper Tree Shopping Center on Ramapo Valley Road, across the street from Starbucks.
Senior Chelsea Stahl frequently goes to the Giant Farmers' Market in Oakland.
"I go about once a week to buy weekly vegetables and fruits. I would say my favorite part about it is the inexpensive, yet quality, locally grown vegetables and fruits available. They also have a great fish market. My favorite product would have to be their flax seed wraps," Stahl said.
Other local markets are located in Allendale, Ridgewood, River Vale, Teaneck, Rutherford, Englewood, Fort Lee, Hasbrouck Heights and Paramus.
dcorcion@ramapo.edu
