Blackwood Farmers' Market Returns Soon

Blackwood Farmers' Market returns for its fourth season later this month.

Opening day, scheduled for Saturday, June 30, will bring with it a new look for this summer's weekly market in downtown Blackwood, according to volunteer organizer Stephanie Roberts.

In addition to a handful of mainstays, the farmers market will welcome a host of new vendors to the fold for the 2012 season, including Balic Winery.

The Mays Landing winery, now in its 45th year, has committed to attending at least the first two Saturday markets (June 30 and July 7), according to Roberts.

The farmers market—an activity of Blackwood West Redevelopment Corp. that aims to help revitalize downtown Blackwood—is held each Saturday from June 30 through Oct. 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot at Gloucester Township-Blackwood Rotary Public Library.

A group of 10 volunteers helps put on the weekly market.

"A couple of us grew up in Blackwood, myself included, and really want to see it return to what it used to be like, or close to it," Roberts said.

Roberts noted the farmers market has been particularly well-received by locals—"A lot of them just walk over," she said—its first few years, describing the weekly event as "like a reunion," as she saw some people she hadn't seen in 30 years.

In addition to Balic, the 2012 Blackwood Farmers' Market will feature newcomers Tis So Sweet, a Haddon Heights bakery; BL Herbs, of Carneys Point; Accessorize It, a Williamstown-based women's jeweler; and A Crystal Wish, a Sicklerville-based jeweler. 

A township-based Organogold coffee distributor will be on hand this year to give the early-morning crowd a boost.

And, of course, there are the Blackwood Farmers' Market mainstays: produce vendors Monteleone Farms, of Vineland, Pleasant Valley Farm, of Mays Landing, and Spino Family Farms, of Voorhees, and First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood.

The 2012 version of the farmers market will also include "Kids' Corner," a place for the kids to hang out while their parents or grandparents do some shopping. Roberts noted there will be low-cost toys available for purchase, and that members of the Gloucester Township Green Team will be there select weeks to read to children.

If interested in joining the Blackwood Farmers' Market's vendor roster, pick up a registration form at the manager's table opening day. It costs just $25 per week.

Roberts expressed an interest in seeing a fresh-cut flower vendor join the lineup, and also mentioned organizers' desire to host professionals and other experts for an "Ask the Expert" booth.

The market will also include several yard sales, giving area residents an opportunity to unload some basement or garage clutter throughout the season. Yard sales are scheduled for July 28, Aug. 25 and Sept. 24, Roberts said. The fee for a yard sale booth is just $10.

And remember to bring a reusable shopping bag to the market each week to earn a free entry in a raffle drawing for a $5 voucher for the following week.

For more information on the Blackwood Farmers' Market, contact Gloria Pasquarello at blackwoodfarmersmarket@glotwp.com or 856-278-4810.

Check back with Gloucester Township Patch throughout the summer for updates on Blackwood Farmers' Market.