Capital City Farmers Market kicks off with lots of vendors and patrons

Travel around Trenton enough and frustration sets in about road closings, pot holes and what seems like a never ending number of detours.

Finally, a sensible city road closure and detour that caused euphoria.

A one block section of East Front St. closed for three hours Thursday as The Capital City Farmers Market began a run through October 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Mill Hill Park.

Well, that’s not exactly true as tents decorated East Front St. which attracted hundreds of state workers, city employees, residents and visitors enjoyed a variety of items.

The Market features Jersey Fresh farm produce and regional producers, artisanal food, specialty produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, jewelry, all natural body and face care products, and much more, according to the Trenton Downtown Association website.

Thursday included sunsplashed doses of excitement as downtown guests queued for, wait for it, salad.

Salad? Yep. Suddenly, vegetarian and healthy objectives appeared front and center as a line stretched toward South Broad St. for tastes of gourmet salads prepared and served by The Salad Basket.

The Flemington-based company owned by Martha Mulford-Dreswick and her husband, Stan, remain a popular vendor after five years. Jessie Dreswick, a daughter, employee Carli Wilson and Stan Dreswick did all they could to keep pace with the crowd.

Jessie Dreswick had enough time to offer only a hectic greeting, spell her name then went back to preparing one of the many tasty salads.

“Everything’s fresh, local and healthy,” MulfordDreswick offered. “We’re glad that we’re so well received at The Capital City Farmers Market.”

Any person involved with a revitalization of Trenton likely holds gratitude for The Salad Basket workers not only making the trip from Flemington but for consistently providing fantastic food fare.

Trenton Downtown Association noted that Best in Bloom, a flower farm represents a newcomer to the Thursday event that attracts about 2,000 people.

Best in Bloom offers seasonal specialty cut flowers and occasionally mixed planters to patrons. Farmer Als, a family run farm located in Monroe Township, NJ began growing vegetables over 90 years ago then started their own greenhouse raising quality flower plants since the 1970s.

Krahus Deli is bringing offers freshly made breads, a variety of their delicious pierogies with kielbasa, and chrusciki topped with powdered sugar. Farmers Market organizers expect other new vendors.

The Capital City Farmers Market praised returning vendors: Asprocolas Acres, The Salad Basket, Arlee’s Raw Blends, Cream Ridge Winery, The Market at Styers, Buttery Sensations, Le Cap Coffee, TeaFor-All, Studio B Bakery and Bistro, The Cheesecake Lady, Royal Cake Creations, CLEB Jewelry, Iree Sky, and Al Francis Fashions.

A personal amazement existed that The Salad Basket proved more popular than Cream Ridge Winery. Say what? A Thursday before a get out of town quick Friday for Memorial Day and everybody’s eating salads instead of sampling Cream Ridge Winery’s extended selection of wines.

Cream Ridge Winery produces wine from a variety of grapes including Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Durif (Petite Sirah), Fredonia, merlot, Muscat blanc, Niagara, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Vidal blanc and Zinfandel grapes.

The winery also makes fruit wines from almonds, apricots, blackberries, black currants, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, kiwifruit, limes, mangoes, pineapples and raspberries. There’s even wines made from chocolate and espresso.

Expect coverage of all vendors as The Capital City Farmers Market through October as The Capital City Farmers Market attracts crowds and changes the perspective of the City of Trenton.

Thanks to all patrons, vendors and others who support our city as we attempt to deliver positive changes.