Fresh produce, local favorites, and weekend traditions worth exploring
Across New Jersey, these weekly pop-ups are major draws – and with good cause. While all offer top-notch local produce, flowers, freshly baked goods, and more, some also offer family-friendly activities from face painting to food trucks and live music. So, whether you’re shopping for fresh Jersey peaches, seasonal blooms, artisan bread, or last-minute dinner ingredients, you’ll find endless options – and, at the same time, get a firsthand look at what your weekends could look like if you made a move. Start here:
Basking Ridge – Crane Farm
270 Sound Maple Avenue | Seasonal
For many Somerset County families, Crane Farm is more than a place to shop – it’s a year-round go-to. This family-owned farm has been serving the community for generations and offers one of the most authentic farm experiences in the area.
No matter when you stop by, you’ll find the freshest homegrown fruits and vegetables, flowers, herbs, baked goods, jams, honey, and other farm-made specialties. Throughout the year, visitors also come for seasonal experiences including strawberry picking in the summer, pumpkin picking in the fall, holiday festivities, and more.
Bernardsville Farmers Market
Bernardsville Train Station | Saturdays
The Bernardsville Farmers Market is small but mighty – and completely charming. This popular local market features a rotating mix of local growers, bakers, and specialty food producers, who all roll out their very best seasonal essentials every Saturday.
While you’re here, be sure and check out the produce, flowers, baked goods, locally made jams, specialty food, and handcrafted goods, all created by area makers. We also love the rotating lineup of special guests, like the popular Mexican food truck Aztec on Wheels or Indian food from Tript Food. It’s an easy way to get in the mix, and get a real feel for this family-first community.
Chatham Borough Farmers Market
Railroad Plaza | Saturdays
Like Bernardsville, small-town charm is on full display at the Chatham Borough Farmers Market, which runs May through November. Here, locals gather every weekend for fresh ingredients and other must-haves, before heading downtown. Expect colorful produce, farm-fresh eggs, cheese, breads, flowers, homemade baked goods, and plenty of pantry staples, plus a rotating selection of prepared foods, perfect for lunch, dinner, or an impromptu picnic. Afterward, spend some time exploring Chatham’s walkable downtown, filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants.
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Montclair Farmers Market
Walnut Street Train Station | Saturdays
One of New Jersey’s longest-running farmers markets, the Montclair Farmers Market, has been a Saturday tradition since 1993. And the vendor line is strong – browse seasonal produce from Vacchiano Farm, award-winning cheese from Valley Shepherd Creamery, fresh loaves from Jed’s Bread, and locally-roasted coffee from Greenwood Lake Roasters. Along with these favorites, you’ll find fresh flowers, prepared foods, baked goods, and other specialty vendors, rotating seasonally.
After you wrap up at the market, be sure and walk down Walnut Street, stopping by Egan & Sons for a pint, grabbing brunch at neighboring Halcyon, or strolling through the independent shops, restaurants, and arts scene that makes Montclair one of New Jersey’s most sought-after suburbs.
Princeton Farmers Market
Hinds Plaza | Thursdays
Located in the heart of downtown Princeton, this weekday market is the perfect excuse to spend an afternoon exploring one of New Jersey’s best downtowns. Regular vendors include local favorite Terhune Orchards for seasonal produce, Cherry Grove Farm for award-winning farmstead cheeses, Catalina Empanadas, and Davidson’s Exotic Mushrooms. It’s a perfect spot to fill your tote while soaking in the community vibe of Hinds Plaza. And, bonus: when you’re done, Princeton’s bookstores, cafes, boutiques, and historic streets are all just steps away.
Ridgewood Farmers Market
Train Station West Lot | Sundays
Next to the Ridgewood train station, this popular Sunday market is a favorite weekend stop-over for local families, from June into late fall. Browse farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, sample homemade mozzarella, baked goods, local honey, pickles, and other sweet and savory specialties. Whether you’re shopping for the week’s groceries or just looking for something special to bring home from your town tour, this is the spot to be. Then, after shopping, stroll downtown Ridgewood for coffee, brunch, and more.
Scotch Plains Farmers Market
430 Park Avenue | Saturdays
The Scotch Plains Farmers Market is one of Union County’s standout weekend destinations. With more than 30 rotating vendors and live music, this market draws people from the immediate community and beyond – and locals report it keeps getting better.
Swing by this farmers market for plenty of Jersey-grown produce, baked goods, fresh flowers, local honey, handmade pasta, specialty foods, and prepared foods from regional makers. Local tip: in the summer, be sure and snag some fresh local watermelon. We also love Aunt Lullies’ Handmade Delish Crepes, a farmers market regular.
Summit Farmers Market
DeForest & Woodland | Sundays
A Sunday tradition for more than 30 years, the Summit Farmers Market is one of New Jersey’s largest and most popular farmers markets. Each week, nearly 60 local farms, food producers, and specialty vendors descend on Summit, with seemingly-endless seasonal produce, artisan breads, flowers, farm-fresh eggs, and handmade goods, plus top-tier prepared food vendors.
While you’re here, grab a soft pretzel from Pretzel Boy, sweet or savory crepes from Crepes Chantal, Mediterranean favorites from Hummus Boss, or fresh sauces and spreads from Pesto Joe’s. Once you’ve filled your tote, head into downtown Summit for coffee, brunch, or a little shopping to round out your town tour.
West Windsor Community Farmers Market
877 Alexander Road | Saturdays
Ask locals to recommend a farmers market in central New Jersey, and the West Windsor Community Farmers Market is likely to top the list. With more than 50 vendors each week, it’s earned a reputation for bringing together some of the region’s best farms, food producers, and artisan makers in one place.
If you’re touring this area, be sure and pick up homemade pasta from Lo Ré Pasta, European specialties from Cas Pierogi & Kielbasa, locally roasted coffee from Rojo’s Roastery, or small-batch olive oils and vinegars from Villa Milagro Vineyards – or pull together a picnic from the amazing bites at this market, then settle in for live music from area performers, right at the farmers market.
Wyckoff – Amba’s Farm
700 Lawlins Road | Year-Round
While not a traditional weekly farmers market, Abma’s Farm has been a Bergen County staple for generations. This fifth-generation family farm offers a true farm-to-table experience, with homegrown produce, pasture-raised meats, farm-fresh eggs, scratch-baked treats, and seasonal specialties straight from the source.
Beyond the farm market, Abma’s is a year-round destination. Families come for pick-your-own events, a barnyard petting zoo, greenhouse, and seasonal celebrations. Whether you’re picking up ingredients for a full meal or spending the morning exploring the farm, it’s a great spot to check out, especially with the kids in tow.
Why Farmers Markets Matter When Exploring the Suburbs
At Suburban Jungle, we always encourage clients to experience life like a local, every time they check out a new community. That’s why we love farmers markets – because they offer a fun, delicious taste of what life actually looks like in a town. Stop by any of these markets and you’ll spot locals catching up over coffee, families lingering at a favorite stall, and communities supporting local businesses – all moments that tell you so much more about a town than a simple listing.
As you plan your first – or next! – town tour, consider adding a local farmers market to your itinerary. You’ll no doubt leave with a loaf of fresh bread, a bouquet of flowers, or a bag of Jersey tomatoes, and a much better sense of what life could look like in the suburbs.
For more insights, visit Suburban Jungle’s New York City suburbs section and the New York City blog page on our website.
Ready to explore New Jersey’s most sought-after suburbs? Schedule your free initial strategy call with Suburban Jungle, and let’s find the community (and the farmers market!) that’s the right fit for you.