Fosterfields hosts Winter Farmers Market

There’s no excuse not to eat locally all year long thanks to the Morris County Park Commission and Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, who have partnered with the Foodshed Alliance Famers’ Access Network, Sustainable Morristown, and local farmers to bring the return of the Winter Farmers Market.

Hosted at Fosterfields, the Winter Farmers Market offers local residents an array of fresh, locally-produced goods on the second Sunday of every month through May. The market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and is located in the Visitors Center at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm.

Products available for purchase include meats, cheeses, artisan breads, prepared foods, honey, preserves, and winter produce grown by member farmers of the Foodshed Alliance.

Through a collaboration by the Foodshed Alliance, Sustainable Morristown, and the Morris County Park Commission, locally-produced goods will now be available for purchase at a convenient location throughout the colder months.

“Historically, Fosterfields is all about sustainability on the local level ... it’s a model of how it all worked, and how it could work today,” said Mark Sutherland, manager of historic sites for the Morris County Park Commission. “This partnership is so unique because it brings together the past and the present with the same goal in mind.”

Last year marked the grand opening of the Winter Farmers Market in Morristown. The Morris County Park Commission teamed up with Kendrya Close, director of the Foodshed Alliance, who was seeking another venue for locally-grown and produced goods.

“We wanted to provide all residents in the area with a centralized location to obtain fresh, locally-grown and produced, meats, cheeses, breads, and produce grown by our farmers within the Foodshed Alliance,” Close said. “Doing this the entire year serves to strengthen our sense of community, and continue to foster a locally resilient economy.”

The one-of-a-kind market features local foods and goods that have been grown, produced, and/or raised in the surrounding communities. In addition to providing the Morris County area with access to locally-grown, fresh food, the market was also inspired by the need for farmers to have an outlet for their products year round, Close said.

“Many of us are looking to buy local as much as possible ... it helps us not only to support our local communities, but to eat healthier,” Sutherland said.

There are several regional vendors represented at the Winter Farmers Market, including: Bobolink Dairy and Bakehouse; Ester’s Treats; Griggstown Farm; Silver Birch Kitchen; Tassot Apiary; Valley Shepherd Creamery; Hummus Boss; Michisk Farm; LL Pittenger Farm; Shore Catch; Villa Milagro Vineyards; Lakeside Maple; Nicola’s Pasta Fresca; Grow it Green Morristown; and others.

“Supporting our local farmers is so important to us here at Fosterfields. In the winter months, finding a place to purchase these kinds of goods becomes a challenge,” Sutherland said. “It gives the Morris County Park Commission great pleasure to be a part of the effort to bring locally grown and raised products to Morris County through all the seasons.”

WINTER FARMERS MARKET

WHEN: Second Sunday of each month through May

WHERE: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Rd., Morristown

COST: Free

INFORMATION:www.morriswinterfarmersmarket.com