Are you sick of buying expired produce from your local grocery store chain? Do you wish your baked goods were fresh and not processed store-brand names? Then look no further than your local farmers market. Monmouth and Ocean Counties offer a wide range of farmers markets whether you want delicious food or your average home and beauty goods. These markets also offer tons of entrepreneur opportunities if you’re looking to sell your own items.
Here are just a few of the many markets you can come across.
A. Casola Farms
- Where: 178 Highway 34, Holmdel, NJ
- Standout features: The originators of the first pick-your-own pumpkin and hayride farm, A. Casola Farms features a 200-acre nursery and huge greenhouse facilities to meet your agricultural needs. Plus, they grow their own hay straw and produce for retail and wholesale. They also offer full landscaping services and — if you want to plan for it at a future date — snow plowing services.
- Link for more information.
Asbury Fresh Farmers Market
- Where: Kennedy Park, 104 Grand Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ
- Standout features: Every Saturday and Sunday through Nov. 28, experience pop-up shopping experiences from local vendors along with fresh produce, handmade goods, live music, demos, and more. The family-friendly market has even been recognized as “Best of Monmouth County” by the Asbury Park Press.
- Link for more information.
Bay Head Farmers Market
- Where: Municipal Parking Lot, Bridge Avenue Bayhead, NJ
- Standout features: Check out small New Jersey farms as they sell their freshly picked fruits, vegetables, local honey, baked goods, farm eggs, freshly squeezed orange juice, and other assorted goodies. Be sure to keep an eye on the calendar for special events.
- Link for more information.
Bell Works Fresh Farmers & Makers Market
- Where: The Block at Bell Works, 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdell, NJ
- Standout features: Visit more than 20 alternating local vendors every Wednesday through Dec. 22. Enjoy local farmers, bakers, makers, and occasional live music during your visits.
- Link for more information.
Brick Farmers’ Market
- Where: Windward Beach Park, 265 Princeton Avenue, Brick, NJ
- Standout features: Rain or shine, you’ll be able to enjoy fresh and local nutritious food at Brick Farmers’ Market. This market also inspires open communication between buyers and growers so you always have full transparency with your purchase. You’ll buy and sample various jams, vegan food, dog treats, coffee, wine, and your usual farmers market offerings from dozens of local vendors
- Link for more information.
Barnegat Farmers Market
- Where: 14 Birdsall Street, Barnegat, NJ
- Standout features: Open every Thursday through Oct. 28, this farmers market offers fresh seasonal produce, herbs, and flowers along with plenty of assorted breads, cheeses, and pasta.
- Link for more information.
Downtown Freehold Farmers Market
- Where: Freehold Hall of Records, 1 E Main St, Freehold, NJ
- Standout features: Snap up healthy locally grown food right in front of the Freehold Hall of Records. Through October, you can purchase freshly picked fruits and vegetables directly from the farmers themselves plus indulge in baked goods, flowers, honey, and more. This year’s participating farms include Hauser Hill Farms and Stillwell Farms.
- Link for more information.
Downtown Toms River Farmers’ Market
- Where: 700 Main Street, Toms River, NJ
- Standout features: Join the Toms River Business Improvement District every Wednesday from 10am-4pm for the finest organic food, baked goods, honey, wine, Italian specialities, olives, pickles, and more. You and the kids will love the food and smoothie trucks on premises each week as you take a break from the summer heat.
- Link for more information.
Englishtown Auction Farmer’s & Flea Market
- Where: 90 Wilson Avenue, Englishtown, NJ
- Standout features: Grab your groceries, pet supplies, plants, tools, beauty products, clothing, toys and more at Englishtown Auction Farmer’s & Flea Market. Need a break from the five indoor buildings and outdoor vendor area? Indulge in some fast food and bakery items. You’ll also love the Mainbrook Tavern’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktails.
- Link for more information.
Fresh Life
- Where: 5th Avenue Pavilion, 1200 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, NJ
- Standout features: Open year round with 25 indoor spaces and 10 outdoor spaces, Fresh Life provides makers, artists, and entrepreneurs opportunities to sell their goods. This place also has several affordable co-retailing and vendor opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.
- Link for more information.
Galleria Red Bank Farmers Market
- Where: Sourlis International, 130 Maple Avenue, Red Bank, NJ
- Standout features: Offering dining options, locally grown produce, amazing eateries, and unique crafts, the Galleria Red Bank Farmers Market serves more than 1,000 people every Sunday. The farmers also accept WIC coupons, which you can get from the Red Bank Senior Center on Shrewdsbury Avenue.
- Link for more information.
Howell Farmer’s Market
- Where: 4567 Route 9 North, Howell, NJ
- Standout features: Every Sunday through Oct. 31, experience produce, plants, natural foods, and crafts. Furthermore, experience special events later in the year such as the Harvest Market on Nov. 21 and the Holiday Market on Dec. 19.
- Link for more information.
Manahawkin Flea Market
- Where: 657 East Bay Ave., Manahawkin, NJ
- Standout features: Jam out to local musicians during “Music at the Mart” and visit local vendors at the Manahawkin Flea Market. The indoor and outdoor shops feature a wide range of products, including subs, cakes, natural food, and cheeses along with a tuxedo shop, a beauty studio, and a spa.
- Link for more information.
Marlboro Farmers Market
- Where: 444 Route 520, Marlboro, NJ
- Standout features: Set on 56 acres, the Marlboro Farmers Market fosters a community-building atmosphere, where buyers and growers are encouraged to converse. Open rain or shine, you’ll experience locally grown produce from small family farmers.
- Link for more information.
Nature's Reward Farm Markets and Garden Center
- Where: 628 Higgins Avenue, Brielle, NJ and 3124 Bridge Avenue, Point Pleasant, NJ
- Standout features: With locations in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, these stores feature some of the best produce, products, flowers, and perennials at the Jersey Shore. The staff at these markets have more than a decade of experience and they hand sort all produce to ensure it meets quality standards.
- Link for more information.
Point Pleasant Beach Farmers Market
- Where: 410 Arnold Ave, Point Pleasant Beach
- Standout features: Through Oct. 24, check out one of the best seasonal farmers markets in the area. This farm offers everything from fresh corn and herbal teas to sweet-smelling flowers and delicious beer.
- Link for more information.
Samaha's Farm
- Where: 704 Lloyd Road, Aberdeen
- Standout features: Samaha's Farm has been offering farm-to-table operations since 1963. Open seven days a week, the farm is passionate about providing the freshest produce in New Jersey. You can also experience both in-store shopping and same-day curbside pickup.
- Link for more information.
This is far from a complete list of farmers markets in the area but whether you’re looking for fresh healthy produce or delicious sweet treats, you will find something in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Be sure to contact your desired market for more information on their offerings as well as COVID-19 restrictions.
