Nine spots to shop in Central Jersey

After a long winter, Central Jersey farmers market season has arrived.

Lots of local farmers markets are now open through the fall, offering farm-fresh produce, dairy products, breads, pastries, artisan goods and more.

Check out these nine bustling farmers markets throughout Central Jersey.

Rutgers Community Farmers Market, New Brunswick

The Rutgers Community Farmers Market (RCFM), which includes Cook’s Market and the New Brunswick Community Farmers Market, operates at several New Brunswick area locations.

The market will re-open for the season on May 16 at the Cook’s Market pavilion at Rutgers Gardens in North Brunswick. At that site, it runs Fridays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Nov. 21 (closed June 20 and July 4).

In New Brunswick, the RCFM also runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday at the RCFM Market Pavilion at 178 Jones Ave. from June to Nov. 22; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays at Kilmer Square Park at 108 Albany St. from June 5 to Aug. 21; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the College Avenue Student Center at 126 College Ave. from Aug 28 to Nov. 14 (closed Oct. 16).

The market offers vendors with goods such as fresh produce, baked goods and ready-to-eat prepared foods from Garden State farms, including the Rutgers Gardens Student Farm, as well as crafters and food artisans who make items such as jams, honey, sauces and spirits. Each market also features nutrition education, health screenings, taste tests and other activities. The Rutgers Gardens Greenhouse also grows plants that are sold at the market.

The Rutgers Gardens Farmers Market began as a student-led project in 2008. Today, the farmers market is managed by Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s Department of Family and Community Health Sciences. It accepts SNAP benefits, and distributes and accepts Good Food Bucks.

Go: 130 Log Cabin Road, North Brunswick; communityfarmersmarket.rutgers.edu/rutgers-gardens/; RCFM Market Pavilion, 178 Jones Ave., New Brunswick, communityfarmersmarket.rutgers.edu/market-pavilion/; Kilmer Square Park, 108 Albany St., New Brunswick, communityfarmersmarket.rutgers.edu/kilmer-square-park/; College Avenue Student Center, 126 College Ave., New Brunswick, communityfarmersmarket.rutgers.edu/college-ave-student-center/.

Highland Park Farmers Market, Highland Park

Every Friday, nearly 40 vendors gather at 212 Raritan Ave. where the Highland Park Farmers Market has been a tradition since 1996. Running from February through Dec. 12, the farmers market’s hours now through October are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. In November and December, hours are until 4 p.m.

At the market, producers from throughout the state sell seasonal produce, mushrooms, dairy products, sustainably-caught fish, homemade breads, pastries, pickles and hot sauce.

The market is also frequently joined by community partners such as the Global Grace Be The Change Health Van, the Highland Park Public Library, Sustainable Highland Park, and other local businesses and organizations. Food trucks are also often in attendance.

Plus, the market also hosts special events such as cooking competitions, craft and theme days, and live music series #MusicAtTheMarketHP, which brings local musicians to perform.

The Highland Park Farmers Market is a SNAP/EBT Welcome and Good Food Bucks Program partner.

Go: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays; 212 Raritan Ave., Highland Park; 732-828-8444, mainstreethp.org/hpfmabout.

Hunterdon Community Farmers Market, Flemington

What was previously known as the Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers Market is now the Hunterdon Community Farmers Market. The market, which reopened in early May, is held at Dvoor Farm in Flemington from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays.

Go: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, May through November; Dvoor Farm at 111 Mine St., Flemington; hunterdonfarmersmarket.org.

Metuchen Farmers Market, Metuchen

Offering “smart food” for the “brainy borough,” the Metuchen Farmers Market will reopen June 14. Running every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Town Plaza on the corner of New and Pearl streets, the market has been in existence since 1997 but enjoyed a revitalization starting in 2011. At that time, it blossomed from a few farmers to more than a dozen varied vendors.

Presented by the Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce and managed entirely by community volunteers as an independent nonprofit, the market hosts farmers and vendors offering cheese, pickles, olives, breads, mozzarella, dried fruits and nuts, grass-fed pork, free-range eggs, pies and more.

Go: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays; Town Plaza, corner of New and Pearl streets; metuchenfarmersmarket.org.

Stangl Factory Market, Flemington

With more than 30 vendors inside the Stangl Factory, which was previously the 1814 historic home of Stangl Pottery, the Stangl Factory Market in Flemington is a year-round indoor farmers market that operates every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mine Street and Stangl Road.

Visitors can enjoy the factory’s unique atmosphere as they browse offerings including locally-sourced vegetables, grass-fed meats, artisan breads and cheeses, pastured eggs, specialty prepared foods and desserts. The market also has crafts for sale, including handmade baskets, turned wood, soaps and bath products, and hand spun yarn.

Go: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays; Mine Street and Stangl Road, Flemington; stanglfactory.com/farmers-market-2.

Princeton Farmers Market, Princeton

The outdoor Princeton Farmers Market, a staple since 2009, boasts about 30 vendors featuring local food products and artisan-made gifts 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays at Hinds Plaza at 65 Witherspoon St. It runs through Nov. 20.

Go: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursdays; Hinds Plaza, 65 Witherspoon St., Princeton; princetonfarmersmarket.com.

Scotch Plains Farmers Market, Scotch Plains

Now operating in its 32nd year, the Scotch Plains Farmers Market at 430 Park Ave. offers vendors like Ort Farms, Corner Copia, Asprocolas Acres and Old Village Farm.

The Park Avenue market is open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday rain or shine, starting in May and running through the last Saturday before Thanksgiving.

The market was founded in 1992. In 1994, the Scotch Plains Business and Professional Association (SPBPA) took over market management to increase business activity in downtown Scotch Plains. Over the years, the market has evolved and expanded.

WIC coupons are welcomed by participating vendors at the market.

Go: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays; 430 Park Ave., Scotch Plains; 908-322-4999, scotchplainsfarmersmarket.com.

‘Dining scene-changing’: Modern Mexican steakhouse with flame-lit bar opens in Old Bridge

Somerset County Regional Farmers Market, Somerville

In its second year, the Somerset County Regional Farmers Market opened in early May with more than 30 vendors. The weekly event, managed by the Somerville Alliance for Food Education (SAFE), takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday through Nov. 23.

After eight years at Duke Farms in Hillsborough, the farmers’ market relocated to Somerville Middle School at West High and Davenport streets last year. Many of the same vendors who were regulars at the Duke Farms Farmers’ Market made the move to the new location.

SAFE is operating the farmers’ market in conjunction with the Somerville Board of Education and the borough’s Environmental Commission. All products − vegetables, fruits, butters, maple sugar, olives, vinegars, meats, flowers, goat milk, wines, pickles, soups, jams and jellies − offered at the market are from the Garden State.

SAFE also plans to feature theme weeks, focusing on in-season fruits and vegetables, and will host musicians, entertainment, and other activities at the market.

Go: Rear parking lot of Somerville Middle School at the corner of West High and Davenport streets; facebook.com/scrfarmersmarket/.

Things to do: New Jersey’s largest Greek festival returning for 52nd running

West Windsor Community Farmers Market, West Windsor

The 21-year-old West Windsor Community Farmers Market (WWCFM) in West Windsor remains outdoors at the Vaughn Drive Lot year-round from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday. More than 50 farms and artisan food producers make up the market, along with a composting service and a knife-sharpening service.

Some of the items that shoppers can find at the market include seasonal produce, meats, poultry, fresh fish, hummus, prepared foods, locally-grown oats, whole grain flour; sourdough bread, pastries, fresh and cave-aged cheeses, Indian sauces, dog treats and alpaca fiber products.

WWCFM is a Garden State Good Food Network partner which helps people utilizing food assistance stretch their SNAP/EBT benefits further. For each $1 SNAP market token purchased, the market matches another $1 token towards the purchase of fruit and vegetables, up to $25 per market day. Use a Student EBT card as well to help stretch EBT benefits.

Go: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays; vehicles must enter from 877 Alexander Road to reach the market at the Vaughn Lot, Princeton Junction Train Station, West Windsor; 609-913-7581, westwindsorfarmersmarket.org.

Food news: Famous NYC ice cream shop opening NJ location. Here’s where

email: cmakin@gannettnj.com

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning feature, news and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ farmers markets near me: Middlesex, Hunterdon, Somerset, Union