Visited: August 1st, Saturday Afternoon.
Open: 8-5, Thursdays and Saturdays, Year Round.
SIZE
Good size – around 12 stands.
VENDORS
Vendors outwardly ask if you need help, if they can answer any questions!
Samples: Only some fruit – Peaches, Nectarines.
QUALITY OF FOOD
Very fresh. Most fruit is unripe (probably just picked). 100% Grass-Fed Cheese. Home made pastas and bread and baked goods. Some of the produce is organic, others use fertilizers. Turkey is hormone and pesticide free.
VARIETY
Vegetables:
Basil, Beets, Carrots, Cilantro, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Assorted Herbs, Lettuce, Onions, Parsley, Peppers, Radishes, Squash, String Beans, Swiss Chard, Zucchini.
Fruit:
Whole: Apricots, Blueberries, Currants, Gooseberries, Nectarines, Peaches (Donut and White), Pears (Clapp), Plums, Tomatoes, Watermelon.
Fruit Products: Apple Salsa, Tomato Salsa, Salsa, Apple Crisps, Sugarfree Jams, Assorted Jams.
Bread Products:
Baked Goods: Cookies, Biscotti, Dog Biscuits, Muffins, Chicken Pot Pie, Cakes, Assorted Pies, Brownies, Apple Turnovers, Apple Cider Donuts, Lemon Squares, Quiche, Granola.
Pasta: Ravioli, Linguini (Whole Wheat, Beet, Spinach, Plain).
Breads: Baguettes, Sandwich Breads, Fancy Breads.
Meat:
Dipaola Turkey Farm: Turkey – all cuts, sausages.
Seafood (American Seafood Inc.):
Sea Bass, Scallops, Spanish Mackerel, Oysters, Clams, Hake, Shark, Mussels, Tuna, Bluefish, Flounder, Gray Sole, Swordfish, Codfish, Shellfish, Monk, Lobsters.
Animal Byproducts:
Cheese: Cheddar & Original Types.
Eggs
Miscellaneous:
Pesto!
Honey
Maple Syrup
SEASONAL CONSISTENCE
The produce in season but not available at Tucker Square was broccoli, cabbage, leeks, potatoes, spinach, apples and cantaloupes.
CENYC.org Information for this market
WHAT’S UNIQUE?
For the first time, I saw a very good marketing strategy at this farmer’s market. Rather than rounding up to the next whole dollar, this market employed the “$0.99” tactic. This is an effective way to boost sales because it tricks the consumer: for one reason or another, 99 cents seems like a lot less than a dollar. In addition, the pesto at this market is one of a kind – usually one buys premade, imported pesto at groceries, or simply makes it oneself, but this market offers an easy way to cook a delicious dish with the freshest ingredients, while saving the extra step!
PRICING
Normal prices.
Squash: $0.99/lb
Clapp Pears: $2.00/lb
Small Apple Salsa: $4.00
Turkey Sausage: $6.79/lb
White Peaches: $3.00/lb
Lobster: $9.99/lb
ACTUALLY LOCAL?
Farm locations range from Hamilton, New Jersey to Vernon, New Jersey.
CONVENIENCE
Location is very practical – many banks and businesses surround the little square as well as apartment complexes. The square is ideal for a market because it sits at the junction at which Broadway and Columbus cross, allowing for traffic from two avenues instead of one. What’s more, the little park at the center of the square has chairs and tables, so people can enjoy their purchases right away in an ideal setting.
NAVIGATION
Very easy to navigate.
EBT STAMPS Not Accepted.
FINAL COMMENTS
This market is great for both grocery shoppers and snackers. It provides a bevy of baked goods of all kinds for the whole family to enjoy, or just for a passerby to munch on. It also has long hours: 8 AM to 5 PM, which makes it convenient and logical to shop there.
