Little Falls Farmers Market Opens With Largest Crowd For Its Fourth Season

By Tina Pappas

“Bigger and Better” is this year’s theme for The Little Falls Farmers Market, which kicked of the start of the season on May 21. Mayor James Damiano and members of the Township Council held a ribbon-cutting for the opening celebration.

Now in its fourth season, the market aims to support local growers and food producers. It will be held every Sunday, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Oct. 29 at the Little Falls Municipal Building parking lot, located at 225 Main Street.

Damiano invites everyone to come by visit the market, which will have a variety of offerings this season.

“We have an incredible assortment of vendors this year,” he said.

Michele Kocotos, Market Manager, echoed the sentiment and said the first day quickly proved that the outlook for the season really is bigger and better.

“We’ve broken last year’s foot traffic to kickoff of the new season and have several new vendors,” she said. “I’m loving the fact that people are coming to Shierferstein Farms, a new vendor, saying their prices are comparable if not cheaper than the local supermarkets. They’re also loving the great selection here.”

Schieferstein Farms is the produce vendor this season and has served Clark and the surrounding communities for over a century. The family-owned and operated small, local business offers “Jersey Fresh” produce, with fruits and vegetables that were picked as recently as the day before.

Kocotos said many new vendors quickly saw a demand for their items, such as G.E.T. Doggie Treats & Sweets, which sold out with almost an hour left for the first Sunday. She added that The Cheese Guy and The Joyful Bubble Waffle quickly experienced a line for items“I was over at both these vendors and it’s delicious,” she explained. “I keep receiving texts about how delicious the food is and am getting raves about our food trucks. We’ve blown through last year’s high numbers already.”

According to Kocotos, lots of exciting activities and events are also planned for the market every week throughout the season, which includes a 20-foot slide for the “Slide into Summer” celebration, where attendees can slide as many times as they like.

A dance performance by dancers from Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Montclair is scheduled for June 4, including a visit from Hunter Hayes, noted jazz musician of Montclair, who will also be performing.

Additionally, Bach to Rock in Wayne will be presenting a performance from their students over the summer.

“While they’re here, parents can register their children to come the following week for a free 10-minute music lesson,” she noted.

Mo & Jay Pastry Shop will be holding their cupcake decorating contest. The local Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts will also be on-hand on separate weekends. Coming up in July, there will also be author readings from several local authors who have published books.

The market will also offer free blood pressure screening for the first Sunday of every month through October.

“Every weekend is something new, something different,” Kocotos added. “All I can say to patrons is to keep coming back!”

Kocotos also invited those inquiring about the market to visit and follow the Little Falls Farmers Market on Facebook every Friday at 4 p.m. for all upcoming events for that Sunday. Kocotos will also hold interviews in her “Talking Farmers Market” every Friday at 4 p.m. to be featured on the page.

“We’ll have the market’s founders to interview this Friday and I’m very excited about it,” she said.

Erin Chazotte, is owner of Woodlawn Refills, a zerowaste refill business for personal care and household cleaning products with the goal of stopping the cycle of plastic use. She commented about participating in the market for the very time..

“I did an event with Little Falls a few years ago and what I love most about it is how involved the council members are. They really work hard to make it great for the vendors and great for the community,” she said. “It’s just an all around great event.”

Local resident Maria Doland visited the market and brought along her son Aiden.

“There’s a lot of selection here and plenty of things to choose from, including many new items,” she said. “I think today’s opening was wonderful and we really enjoyed it.”

Councilwoman Christine Hablitz said she was happy to see the market growing every year.

“This is definitely the highest foot traffic we’ve had and we’re very excited for this season,” she said.

Among this season’s other vendors are Birch’s Fine Foods, Cris Luke’s BBQ, Doughboy On The Rise, G.E.T. Doggie Treats & Sweets, Grandma Emma’s, High Mountain Foods, Jersey Pickles, Jersey Spirits Distilling Co., Joy Filled Crepes, Mo & Jay Pastry, Mom Bun Candle Co., NJ South Hills Pet Rescue, Old World Marketplace, Paolo’s Kitchen, Pastabilities, The Audacity Food Truck, RisoTo-Go, Rosie’s Empanadas, Rosie’s Natural Market, Seven Tribesman Brewery, The Soupeteer and Willets Own Meats.