Gone are the days when a farmers market consisted only of a few tables piled high with fresh fruit and vegetables.
Today's markets feature farmers and a lot more, including vendors selling flowers, pastries, pasta, cheese, beer and spirits, seafood, coffee and more. Shoppers can find treats for pets, handmade items and even food trucks.
More than 20 farmers markets in Monmouth and Ocean counties are scheduled for spring, summer and even into fall. Here are the details.
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Asbury Park
The Asbury Fresh farmers and makers market takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, May 5 to Oct. 27, on Emory Street between Cookman and Lake avenues. For more information, visitasburyfresh.com.
Atlantic Highlands
The borough's market takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays, May 31 to Sep. 27, at Veterans Park, 111 First Ave.Vendors include Au Honey, Beachfront Organics, Picklelicious, InnoculatedFarms, Beckage Farms, House of Treasures, Paolo's Kitchen, Ridiculous Redhead Farm, Snyder's Wooden Toys and Vintage Variety Creations, among others. For more information, visit ahchamber.org.
Barnegat
The township'smarket takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays, June 27 to Sept. 19, at 14 Birdsall St.Vendors include Eckert's Farm, Sassafras Hill Farm, Krowicki's Farm Market, High Mountain Foods, the Barnegat Community Garden, Cream Ridge Winery, Lily's Bread Basket, Jersey Charm Coffee, and Snow Chi Peruvian Cuisine, among others. For more information, visitbarnegat.net.
Bay Head
The borough's market is from noon to 4 p.m. Thursdays, July 6 through September, in the municipal lot at 83 Bridge Ave., and will feature The Farm, Kauffman Farms and a plant vendor. For more information, visitinstagram.com/bayheadfarmersmarket.
Bradley Beach
The Main Street Market takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, June 1 to Sept. 7, at Riley Park, 615 Main St. This is a farmers and makers market. For more information, visit asburyfresh.com.
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Brick
More than 60 vendors frequent this farmers market, which takes place from8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays, May 4 to Sept. 28, atWindward Beach Park,265 Princeton Ave. Vendors include 502 Baking Company, Cream Ridge Winery, Manna Bagels Cafe, Bon Nut Butters, Jaker's Pickles, Icarus Brewing, Ramblin Sol Farm, Port Coffee, Shore Sauce and more; find a complete list atbrickfarmersmarket.com.
Freehold Borough
The borough farmers market takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 pm. Fridays, June 28 to Oct. 18, in front of the Hall of Records, 1 E. Main St. For more information, visitdowntownfreehold.com.
Highlands
The Highlands Business Partnership’s farmers market takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, June 15 to Nov. 16, at Huddy Park, Bay and Waterwitch avenues. Vendors include Hauser Hill Farms, Fresh Pik Farms, and vendors selling baked goods, pasta, cheese, eggs, honey, juice and soaps. For more information, visithighlandsnj.com.
Holmdel
Bell Works Fresh, a farmers and makers market, takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Nov. 27 at Bell Works, 101 Crawfords Corner Road. A monthly makers market takes place from noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 19 at Bell Works. For more information, visit asburyfresh.com.
Howell
The township's market takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, May 19 to Oct. 27, at Echo Lake Park, 1225 Maxim Southard Road. There will be holiday markets in November and December. Vendors include The Farm, Jersey Pickles, Meg's Coffee Bar, and Tater Bear Treats. Others sell bakery items, iced drinks, juices, cheese, pies, jam and soap. For more information, visit instagram.com/farmersmarketinhowell.
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Lacey
This market takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, May 24 to Sept. 27, at Lacey United Methodist Church, 203 Lacey Road in the Forked River section of the township. For more information, visitfacebook.com/laceyfarmersmarket.
Long Branch
The West End farmers market will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays, June 6 to Oct. 17, at West End Park, 607 Ocean Ave. Vendors include Jeff’s Organic Produce, Asprocolas Farms, Smiling Earth Mushrooms, Gino's Italian specialties, JerZey Girl Pickles, Petite Baguette and local farms. For more information, visitfacebook.com/LongBranchFarmersMarket.
Marlboro
The market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, June 2 through October, at 444 Route 520, and features more than two dozen vendors each week. Vendors include Butter Me Up, Bean Muggin Coffee Co., Cherry Grove Farm, Krakus Deli, Beach Bee Meadery, Gelateria La Piazza, Garden State Distillery, Bee Free Farm and more. For more information, visitfacebook.com/groups/MarlboroFarmersMarket.
Matawan
The market will take place from 1 to 6 p.m. Fridays, June 7 to Sept. 27, at 201 Broad St. Vendors include Kauffman Farms, Jersey Pickles, Confections by Carla, Koltuk's Honey, Wood Box Soap, Mystic Crystals, Thrifted Highdye Company, and The Belford Bead. For more information, visit matawanborough.com.
Red Bank
The Red Bank farmers market takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, May 12 through mid-November, in The Galleria parking lot, Bridge Avenue and West Front Street. Vendors include Hauser Hill Farms, E.R. & Son Farm, Grossman Farms, Dr. Pickle, Breadsmith, and Shore Shake. For more information, visitthegalleriaredbank.com.
Broadwalk Fresh, a farmers and makers market, takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, June 6 to Sept. 26, on Broad Street downtown. For more information, visit asburyfresh.com.
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Sea Bright
This farm and artisan market takes place from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays at 1197 Ocean Ave. Vendors include The Farm, Koltuk'sHoney, Butch's Hot Stuff Hot Sauce, Hear Here, Ridiculous Farm, The Belford Bead, and Locust Pointe Flower Barn. For more information, visit seabrightnj.org.
Seaside Park
The borough's farmers market takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, May 24 to Sept. 2, on the marina lawn, 101 J St. For more information, visitseasideparknj.org.
South Toms River
The market takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays, May 16 to Oct. 17, at Mathis Plaza, 134 Route 166. For more information, visitfacebook.com/STRMathisPlazaFarmersMarket.
Stafford
The township's market takes place from 4 p.m. to dusk July 8 and 29, and Aug. 12 and 26 at Manahawkin Lake Park, 86 N. Main St. in the Manahawkin section. For more information, visit staffordnj.gov.
Surf City
This farmers market takes place from 8 a.m. to noon Mondays, June 17 through August, at theSurf City Firehouse, 713 Long Beach Blvd. For more information, visitfacebook.com/SCFDfarmersmarket.
Toms River
The downtown Toms River farmers market takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, June 12 to Oct. 2, in the town hall courtyard on Washington Street. For more information, visitdowntowntomsriver.com.
Tuckerton
Tuckerton Farmers Market takes place from 8 a.m. to noon Fridays, June through Aug. 30, at the Union Market, 120 W. Main St. As of press time, vendors include Eastbound Acres and Sourbro Baked Goods, among others. Spring markets will take place April 19 and May 17 before the start of the summer market season. For more information, visit instagram.com/tuckertonfarmersmarket.
Another market takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, May 14 to Sept. 24, at Church of the Holy Spirit, 220 E. Main St. Vendors include Krowicki's Farm Market, High Mountain Foods, A&A Dips, Busy Bees Honey, Chillin Out Ice Cream and Mary’s Mobile Diner, among others. For more information, call 609- 296-9618 or search Tuesday Farmers Market on Facebook.
Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014.Send restaurant tips to sgriesemer@gannettnj.com,follow on Instagramat Jersey Shore Eatsandsubscribe to our Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.
