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These upcoming holiday events are a must for anyone shopping for Thanksgiving or the upcoming winter festivities. (Photo provided)
The Burlington County Farmers Market is wrapping up another hugely successful season with two special Holiday Market days where residents can purchase fresh, locally grown produce, seasonal foods, and homemade crafts before the holidays.
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This year’s Holiday Markets will be held on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 10 AM to 2 PM and again Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10 AM to 2 PM, at the Burlington County Agricultural Center, 500 Centerton Road, Moorestown. Both markets will be held rain or shine.
“The Burlington County Farmers Market had another fantastic season and we’re looking to end strongly with our final two Holiday Market Days,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “These markets are traditionally our largest and most popular, so we’re expecting extra vendors and artists. Whether you’re a newcomer to the market or a Saturday regular, the holiday events are a must for anyone shopping for Thanksgiving or the upcoming winter festivities.”
A total of 15 farms and 29 food vendors are participating in the first of the holiday markets this Saturday. There will also be 34 artists and crafters will also be at the market to sell their handmade creations.
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In addition to foods and crafts, the Nov. 18 market will feature a Thanksgiving-themed cooking demonstration, live music and a bunny petting station from the 4H Carrot Club. Toys for Tots will also be present to collect new toys to distribute to children in need during the holidays.
“Whether you’re shopping for delicious foods for a Thanksgiving feast or getting a jump on holiday gift buying, the Burlington County Farmers Market has it all at this one location,” said Burlington County Commissioner Allison Eckel, the liaison to the Department of Resource Conservation and Parks. “Residents shopping there will find outstanding varieties of foods and goods, but they’ll also be supporting local farms and small businesses.”
The farmers markets have been held at the Agricultural Center every Saturday in the spring, summer, and fall since 2006 and have been credited with helping numerous local farms and small business vendors market and sell their products.
The Burlington County market was voted one of the top 5 most popular farmers markets in New Jersey and the 16th most popular in the entire Northeast during this year’s American Farmland Trust poll.
The market is held at the Agricultural Center, a 68-acre former dairy farm situated on the Moorestown-Mount Laurel border. The property was preserved by the County in 2005 and remade into a community resource and education facility focused on food production, health and nutrition, agriculture and land stewardship.
A portion of the property continues to be leased for farming and site also features community gardens, demonstration field plots maintained by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Service and a commercial kitchen.
“Word has spread our County Farmers Market and we’re now seeing weekly visitors from across Burlington County and beyond,” Eckel said. “They come to shop, eat and enjoy the beauty and relaxing atmosphere at the Burlington County Agricultural Center. There’s still two market days left, so we encourage residents to visit and stock up for the holidays and new year.”