Indulce Caterers at Rutgers Cook’s Market.
Portable hand washing station at NBCFM.
They’re selling Jersey Fresh produce and other items SAFELY!
Cox Corner at NBCFM.
Concerned about social distancing? Cautious about heading indoors to do your grocery shopping? What’s the alternative? Shop at your local open air farmers market. Not only are Cook’s Market and the New Brunswick Community Farmer’s Market located outdoors but they are doing social distancing right and following all CDC and New Jersey State recommendations for your safety.
The New Brunswick Community Farmers Market (NBCFM) is open and operating at their flagship location at 178 Jones Avenue (Saturdays, 9am – 1pm and Tuesdays, 10am – 2pm) as well as in downtown New Brunswick (Wednesdays, 11am – 3pm) at 108 Albany Street
Safety protocols designed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in are in place at both locations, and include hand washing stations at the market entrance and exit; required use of face coverings by market staff, vendors, and customers; maintaining social distance of at least six feet; and frequent cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces.
Samples being offered with safety in mind at NBCFM.
Because trying new things at farmers markets is often a favorite for customers, the NBCFM is partnering with Elijah’s Promise to prepare samples of recipes featuring local produce for customers to taste. All of the samples are pre-packed in small “to go” containers to maximize food safety and minimize COVID-19 exposure risk. Recipes sampled so far have featured New Jersey favorites such as corn and tomatoes, as well as more exotic- but locally grown- produce types. This week, customers can try a sweet gazpacho (chilled soup) made with cantaloupe or, on Wednesday only, ampalaya salad made with unique bitter melon!
Cook’s Market, located at the entrance to Rutgers Gardens at 130 Log Cabin Road in New Brunswick, is currently operating on Friday’s from 11am to 3pm.
Signage at Cook’s Market.
The Market has the following safety measures in place until further notice:
- Signage directs shoppers and vendors to maintain 6 ft social distancing.
- Hand-washing stations are located near the front of the market and portable restroom.
- Customers are encouraged to use them upon arrival and prior to departure.
- Customers are not allowed to handle products prior to purchase.
- Vendors must wear face coverings and single-use, food-safe gloves in addition to washing/sanitizing hands and surfaces frequently.
- Separate entrance and exit to the market with one-way traffic flow.
Hand cleansing station at Cook’s Market.
They also require shoppers to adhere to the following:
- If you are feeling ill, please stay home.
- Send only one shopper from each household.
- Maintain 6 ft social distancing.
- Wash your hands upon arrival and prior to departure.
- Wear a face covering to protect yourself and others. You will not be permitted to shop at the market without one.
- Be efficient as possible with your shopping.
- The busiest time at the market is 11-12. Please consider coming later in the day, if you are able, to keep overcrowding at the market to a minimum.
- Consider pre-ordering from your favorite vendors.
In an effort to streamline the pre-order shopping experience, they have created Cook’s Market Online Store. (Note: not all vendors are using this new platform, so please read pre-ordering details below.)
Anticipated Weekly Market Vendors:
Antonio’s Pasta – Antonio’s always has fresh cheese ravioli, crepe style manicotti & stuffed shells. They also have a variety of frozen specialty ravioli, assorted sauces, fresh pastas, mozzarella, grated cheese, breads, entrees, egg rolls, rice balls. To get the best selection it is suggested you pre-order at the www.ButterMeUpNJ.com
Chickadee Creek Farm – They will have a selection of choose-your-own vegetables. Or order ahead of time online. Your order will be pre-packed on a table with the bags arranged alphabetically by last name (or the login name you created for the online store). Touch only your bag and wait 6′ away or more if someone else is already searching for theirs. The order deadline is Wednesday at 11:59 pm. To pre-order visit Cook’s Market Online Store.
Christopher Soap – Pre-order at Cook’s Market Online Store, or purchase directly on Friday at the Cook’s Market. Pre-order deadline is Thursday at 12:00 pm. Current stock includes Sugar Scrubs Body Butters (Orange Citrus, Chocolate, Sandlewood-Patchouli, Peppermint, Citrus Peppermint, Lavender, Apple Spice, Raspberry, Summer peach, Pumpkin Spice, Pumpkin Java/Coffee, etc.) Body Butters (Chocolate, Orange Cream w/cocoa butter, Mint Cream w/cocoa butter, Lavender w/Mango & Shea Butters, Unscented with Mango and Shea Butters, etc.), and 20 different Handmade Artisan Soap including “Goodbye Mosquitos” soap.
Fritz’s – Check out Fritz’s virtual farmers market store @Cook’s Market Online Store for all their seasonal treats. All orders need to be placed by Wednesday at 11:59pm and can be picked up at Rutgers Cook’s Market between 11am and 1pm. They also have a limited menu of items available for cash only purchase at the stand, including their fresh home-made baguettes!
Fruitwood Farms – Jersey Fresh seasonal produce! Pre-orders can be placed through their website www.fruitwoodfarms.net where you can view all products available for the coming week’s market. Please select “Rutgers Gardens at 130 Log Cabin Road, New Brunswick” when you place your order. Pre-order deadline is Wednesday at noon.
Goat Hill Farm – Pastured poultry, pork, beef, and more! Goat Hill Farm strives to raise their animals in a humane, ecologically friendly way. Their goal is to produce high quality and reasonably priced products.
Gourmet Nuts and Dried Fruit – Chop up their nuts and seeds or even dried fruit, and toss into a salad! What’s better than getting nutrients from actual fruits of the earth that taste good? Keep a bag full of your favorite gourmet snack when in transit or in activity like on a hike or in the car. Choose one of their gourmet flavors as a favor or gift for summer fun!! For 5lbs+ orders please go to their website www.gourmetnutsanddriedfruit.com. Pre-order deadline is Thursday at 2pm.
The Granola Bar – Their granola and granola bars are made from the freshest ingredients and 100% whole grain oats.
Holly Jolly Jams – Homemade in small batches with a low-sugar recipe, using only the freshest ingredients, hand-picked or locally purchased when available. To pre-order visit Cook’s Market Online Store. (Please note that jams are marked $8 each on the online store, but they are also 2/$15 which cannot be calculated. A $1 cash refund will given for every TWO jams purchased!)
Indulce Caterers – 10% of all sales go to Elijah’s Promise, where food changes lives. Sea Moss and Sweet Treats: Sea Moss Regular Gel, Turmeric Sea Moss Gel, Elderberry Sea Moss Gel, Sour Sop (Guanabana) Sea Moss Gel, Cherry Sea Moss Gel, Indulce Jerk Marinate, Vegan Brownie, Gluten Free Oatmeal Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Zucchini Bread, Banana Nut Bread, Cranberry Scones. To pre-order visit Cook’s Market Online Store. Pre-order deadline is Thursday at 6:00 pm.
Jersey Girl Cheese – Artisan Italian-style cheese made from farm-fresh milk. We have a variety of cheese from fresh Mozzarella and Ricotta to aged Scamorza and Caciocavallo. All is made on Hillcrest Orchard & Dairy. From their farm to your home, fresh and aged authentic Italian style cheese that you can truly say is fresh and local. You can pre-order our cheese from their website: https://local-130-seafood-online-shop.myshopify.com Other details: Use discount code “Rutgers” when checking out online to reduce delivery fee from $15 to $3. Use the following shipping address: 130 Log Cabin Rd., New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Neshanic Valley Beekeepers – Honey and maple syrup. They offer many “source” quality premium and specialty honeys from NJ as well as from other parts of the country and world. They not only produce and package their own honeys but network with other beekeepers to collect as many RAW tested and trusted source types as possible seasonally. Never altered or manipulated, you can be assured that you are receiving the highest quality product available. Their honeys are available in a variety of sizes and they bottle only in glass.
Patricia & Paul – Artisans of fine oils and balsamics. To pre-order visit their website https://patriciaandpaul.com and select “Rutgers Farmers Market Pickup” under shipping at checkout.
Pickle Licious – Some of their best sellers include Full Sour, Sweet Horseradish Chips, Mediterranean Olive Combo, Hot and Spicy Olive Combo, Sweet Heat Corn Relish, Olive Tapenade, and their last creation Krelish!
Rutgers Gardens – has a variety of garden plants, succulents and hand cut flower bouquets fresh from the gardens for sale.
Spoon Me Soups – Pints are 3 for $20 and quarts are 3 for $33!
Stefan’s Polish Foods – Specializing in Polish comfort food, handmade pierogi, traditional stuffed cabbage, naturally smoked kielbasy and much more!
Unionville Vineyards – Their wines are hand-crafted, showcasing local terroir and their winemaker’s artisanship. Pre-order from their website unionvillevineyards.com. Pre-order deadline is Thursday by 4:00 pm.
Selek Foods – Authentic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors including vegan shawarma, baked falafel, hummus, fresh salads and more! Our products have no preservatives. here.
About NBCFM
The New Brunswick Community Farmers’ Market supports the development of a sustainable community by bringing healthy food from local farms to families and households across the city. View our recent mentions in the press to find out where we’re making a difference. Our mission is to ensure that all members of our community have access to healthy food. We strive to create healthy habits that last a lifetime, and to nourish New Brunswick from the ground up. When you shop with us, you support New Jersey farmers, and your New Brunswick neighbors. The New Brunswick Community Farmers Market (NBCFM) is a project in partnership with the City of New Brunswick, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and Johnson & Johnson. http://nbcfarmersmarket.com/
About Cook’s Market
The farmers market at Rutgers Gardens began as a student-led project with nine vendors. Ten years later, the market moved into its new home, Cook’s Market. We are grateful to all of the donors who supported the permanent structure, which provides protected space for vendors and customers to shop. Today the market features more than 20 vendors, including the Student Farm at Rutgers Gardens, which demonstrates land stewardship by practicing sustainable growing practices and providing our communities with quality, nutritious food. https://rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu/cooks-market/
