Jersey City serves up Farm to Table Freshness

Whether your tastes tend toward sticky desserts, handmade candles, or New Jersey’s best empanadas, the Grove Street Farmer's Market is always worth a visit.

There’s a smorgasbord of reasons why this collection of vendors has been a local institution since 2008. In addition to the fresh produce, there are gifts and an incredible variety of food to eat on-site. This year, you can visit the Grove Street Farmer's Market every Monday and Thursday from 4-8 pm, between May and December. So, grab a cup of cold brew from local Jersey City coffee roasters ModCup, and swing by a few of our favorite vendors!

1. Stella’s Empanadas
   Stella’s says their Argentinian empanadas are “the best you’ve ever had.” Check out their truck and see if you agree. At just $2.50 a pop, they make the perfect snack while walking around Grove Street. Unique empanada offerings include mac ‘n’ cheese, a breakfast version, and a baked apple dessert style for those with a sweet tooth. This popular truck is an outpost of their dine-in Argentinian restaurant in Kearny.
2. Dark Side of the Moo
   Based out of Hoboken, this truck caters to carnivores with meaty offerings of lamb burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, and thick cheeseburgers with bacon jam. Yes, bacon jam. If that frightens you, continue on to The Cinnamon Snail below...
3. The Cinnamon Snail
   A mobile vegan landmark, the Cinnamon Snail is so good, it doesn’t make a big deal out of being vegan. Their seasonal menu includes options like a Korean BBQ seitan sandwich, chili burgers, and what they describe as an “absurd” amount of dessert options. They’ve won a ton of well-deserved awards for best NYC vendor, and they currently have a cookbook available for pre-order called “Street Vegan.” The lines of hungry patrons that coil out from The Snail should tell you all you need to know.
4. DiningWild
   Returning to the farmer's market after a hiatus is this “pick your own” eco-tour project where participants learn how to safely identify, harvest, and prepare food items that grow in local public areas. They’ll bring items they found and show you how to prepare them, and you can sign up to join the tours here. Long pants, shirtsleeves, and practical shoes or boots are recommended for such daring urban adventures.
5. The Lucky Honeybee
   For amazing soy candles and more, stop by and check out this husband-and-wife team with their adorable dog. The eco-friendly candles in clean scents such as lemon verbana make wonderful gifts. They also have homemade lip balm and more!
6. Raritan Bakery
   Most of us can’t make a trip to Edison regularly, but you can still purchase the town’s famous freshly baked rye bread and sweet donuts downtown. This family-owned bakery is known for their Hungarian Nut Roll with flavors like black sesame and apricot.
7. Stony Hill Farms
   Sign up for weekly locavore produce shares while you try not to open the apple cider donuts or eat an entire loaf of sourdough bread before exiting Grove Street. You can even pick up some fresh-cut flowers for your sweetheart.

(If you can’t make it downtown during the week, be sure to support Farms in the Heights, another wonderful farmer’s market at the Riverview Fisk Park along Ogden Avenue every Sunday starting May 3rd.)

Want to move next door to this fantastic Farmers Market?