A Fresh Look for Fresh Produce at Farmer's Market

This Thursday, the Livingston Farmer’s Market relocates to The Village at Livingston at the Route 10 circle with new features designed to help those of us who don’t want to spend our summer in the kitchen. 

For the first time, the Market will feature tantalizing free BBQ cooked by local companies with suggested donations benefitting various charities. 

Michael Schofel, a management partner in The Eastman Companies that own The Village, explained that his firm embraced the opportunity to host the Farmer’s Market, which needed more space.  In the process, he wanted to make The Farmer’s Market more fun.

“Eastman has been among the top five fundraisers in New Jersey in the last few years.  We envisioned a corporate event which would benefit major causes in the community," he said.

Eastman will be hosting the first barbeque to benefit The American Heart Association and in a few weeks, Regal Bank will be manning the grill.  Schofel explained that more companies, who see working the Market as a relatively easy team-building event, are jumping on board.  Eastman will provide the grills, tables and chairs with corporations supplying food and staff.

In addition to well-known farms including Ort Farms (http://ortsfarm.com) and The Country Stand), the Farmer’s Market will also be hosting the famous Dr. Pickle whose gourmet pickles are served at Katz’s Deli in Manhattan (among other places).  Paolo’s Kitchen (http://paoloskitchen.com) from New Providence will have frozen all-natural, Italian specialties and High Mountain Foods (http://highmountainfoods.com) which will offer an assortment of frozen foods, breads, and cheeses. 

Savory Cheesecakes will be there with a mouth-watering collection of indulgent desserts as will Gina’s Bakery (http://ginasbakery.com) which offers home-made Western European delicacies.  And let’s not forget our canine friends!  The Yellow Dog Bakery (www.theyellowdogbakery.com) will be on hand with lots of organic dog treats that’ll have your favorite puppy wagging its tail with joy!

As Beth Lippman of the Livingston Business Improvement District explained, “You can buy your whole dinner at the Market!  Go if you want fresh, in-season produce, and support local farmers as well.”

The Livingston Farmer’s Market will be open every Thursday through September 29 from 12 noon to 6 p.m. 

Now, should you decide to embrace the many benefits of eating salad, here are a few ways to delight your palate:

1.  Mix your greens by adding in different kinds of lettuce, spinach leaves, leeks, sprigs of fresh dill, and escarole. Try celery leaves, parsley, or other types of greenery from the different farm stands and ask the personnel there to recommend a range of possibilities for adding color and texture to your salad bowl.
2. Get a little adventurous and experiment with veggies.  Add some corn, chilled peas, pickled beet slices, different kinds of beans, or other seasonal produce. 
3. Add some pizzazz with slices of grilled chicken favored with Italian or barbeque dressing.  Or mix in broiled salmon or strips of lamb.
4. Toss in a cup of cubed seedless watermelon, halved grapes, and peach or apple slices.  Pineapple and orange chunks add tropical zest to any dish.
5. Sprinkle toasted almond slices, sunflower seeds, and tofu on the salad.  Experiment with non-traditional salad dressings like balsamic or apple cider vinegar to cut calories.

The Livingston Farmer’s Market offers healthy, time-saving choices sure to please even the fussiest eaters.

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