i love me a farmers market.

oh and especially if they're right down the road.

double score.

we've hit up a few in the area, toms river, barnegat, seaside heights...

last week, the lacey farmers markets down the road from us opened, but i missed it due to rain.  still not sure what they have, i stopped by there two years ago to pick up berries for a pie i'd make weekly for the cafe.  then i realized how much easier it was to buy the large bag of mixed berries at costco.

easy trumps local/organic when you're running a business with a toddler in tow.  sorry.  but, if you are heading out to a market for your personal shopping, these places can be gold mines of cheap, fresh produce.  fresher than anything you can get in the supermarket.

as long as i can get a great loaf of bread, some pickles, and maybe some cider donuts with lots of sugar...then i'm a happy mamma.

don't let the carrots fool you, they have cider donuts in their hand.  i tried sneaking the donut bag under the stroller, but natalie can smell those things a mile away.

funny thing about these farmers markets down the jersey shore is that they are all primarily from north jersey.  why you ask? well, they go where ever the benny's are...and they are all "down the shore."

benny's = anyone from bayonne, elizabeth, newark, and new york.

and while i'm at it, let me define shoebies = philly folk that grace jersey beaches with their presence.  they got their namesake from bringing their lunch in shoeboxes to the beach, back in the day...according to my grandma.

my dealer.  

by the way, i don't share well with others...when it comes to pickles...  

unless you're cute.  lucky for these guys, they qualify.

and i have to say, those bakeries up north know how to make some kick-ass bread.  crusty exterior, chewy interior. amazing. i would have taken pictures, but i was too busy stuffing my face with samples.

aside from the few things that i look for specifically, these markets carry some great local products you can't really find anywhere else.  artisan shortbread cookies.  specialty vinegars. crab cakes.  local honey.

suffer from seasonal allergies?  head over to your farmers market and grab a jar of local honey.  here's why.

and they even have replacement jade plants for the one that was destroyed in our move.

look how pretty the replacement options are.

i'm sure where ever you live, you know of the farmers markets nearby.  but, just by chance you care to visit another farmers market if you're traveling out of the area...i've linked a page for your convenience.

what's your favorite market?  what do sell have that you absolutely must get every time you go?

while i'm at it, let me mention to those in jersey the upcoming food/wine festivals you should check out.

ocean county fair.  july 12-17.  berkeley township, nj.  okay, this doesn't really count as a food festival, but it may be worth stopping by if it isn't scorching out.

3rd annual lobster fest on the beach.  july 16th. bradley beach, nj.

9th annual state ice cream festival.  july 16th. toms river, nj.

walk in the vineyard wine trail weekend.  july 16-17.  statewide.

atlantic city food and wine festival.  july 28-31.  ac, nj.

we're going to the ice cream festival.  i. can. not. wait.  if anyone would like to meet up with us, contact me.  the more, the merrier.

by the looks of it, i'll try to make wednesday my post day.  if i aim for monday, i can get it on here by wednesday:)  let's just call that "the-jill-two-day-delay."

this may or may not have anything to do with the fact that i am pregnant...again.  wasn't really planning on another so soon, but it's all in God's timing.  and i'm alright with that:)

one thing is for sure...i'm in for it.

hope you all have a great week and upcoming weekend!

thanks for stopping by,

jill