WEST MILFORD — Spring has arrived. Warm days, cooler nights. Flowers blooming. It also means the West Milford Farmers Market is preparing to open.
The farmers market mission is to foster a community of food, farms, and friends in West Milford and surrounding areas, according to Sustainable West Milford, which runs the market.
Some facts from SWM
Food: Access to fresh, healthy, local food is the heart of the market. Locally grown food has travelled shorter distances, and contains more nutrients and lasts longer than produce that has been on a supermarket shelf.
Farms: Farming is hard work, and fewer than one million Americans now claim farming as their primary occupation. By creating a retail market for local farmers, SWM has cut out the wholesale middleman, increase farmers’ profits, circulate money into the local economy, and help local farm families continue doing the work they love.
Friends: The West Milford Market supports friendships between neighbors by creating a safe, welcoming place to meet and learn — supporting friendships with farmers, neighbors, and community leaders.
Tell them what you think
To continue this mission, Sustainable West Milford is looking for feedback from the community on how to improve the market experience.
"Completing a short survey at www.wmfarmersmarket.org/survey will help us bring more of what our community is looking for to the table," according to a release from the group. "The more responses we receive, the better picture we can paint of the market’s reach and benefit. We hope that you will consider sharing this link and our mission to help us continue serving the local community and local businesses in the best possible way."
Market is open June 1
Can you believe it's been seven years since the initial farmers market in West Milford? It has! The market’s eighth season begins on Wednesday, June 1, at the West Milford Presbyterian Church, 1452 Union Valley Road, from 3 to 7 p.m.
The market will run every Wednesday, June through Oct. 19, except for July 13.
This year’s market vendors will include old favorites and many new ones as well. Offerings will range from farm fresh vegetables and flowers, farm raised eggs and beef, homemade pickles and olives, pizzas, tomato sauce and prepared dinners, as well as handcrafted soap and body care products, plus much more.
And of course you will find some of the best music around to make the market even more enjoyable.
Visit www.wmfarmersmarket.org to get an update on vendor offerings.
Sustainable West Milford is looking forward to an exciting new season of fresh, healthy, local food at the weekly market and hope residents will make the West Milford market part of their 2016 plan for food, farms and friends.
Tell us your favorite thing about the West Milford Farmers Market. Go to westmilfordmessenger.com.