Last Thursday was the official kick off of the Grove Street Farmers market season! For months I’ve been dreaming about the pickle dude, the fresh kale, Busy Bee’s nut butters and Grandma Downtown’s buns (and breads).

It’s no secret that eating local fresh produce is by far the healthiest option, and it’s even better when it doesn’t break the bank like some big box health store. There are markets going on in Jersey City almost every day of the week; Mondays and Thursdays on Grove Street, Wednesdays and Fridays  in Hamilton Park, Sunday’s in Riverview park (post coming soon!) and soon there will be one in JSQ twice a week (also post coming soon). So you really have no excuse, shop local people! it’s the good thing to do.

Mayor Fulop made an appearance and kicked things off with a ribbon cutting along with a few members of the HDSID and the health department! He said to me “should I take a picture for my new instagram” to which I responded “Hell yeah, you should!”.

The Mayor interviewed a few of the members of the HDSID involved in the farmers market including Steven, owner of Helen’s Pizza and President of the board!

Good times! Now it was time to shop.

Busy Bee Organics & Whealth

I love Busy Bee! Michelle, lady boss of this local healthy meal delivery company is about to celebrate her one year anniversary! She sells the most amazing healthy meals, nut butters, buffins and a beet hummus that will blow your mind.

Busy Bee was sharing her booth with my dear friend and local Chef David, aka Whealth. He was serving up some delicious raw vegan eats! Which I ate for dinner and it was extremely satisfying.

Grandma Downtown

I love this woman, she is “bae”… and her breads are pretty flipping awesome. Grandma Downtown has been around for over a year, and we actually met at this exact farmers market! Since then it’s been a whirlwind of a romance; from my interview with her, our baking ChicpeaTV episode, and lunch at Boulevard Drinks. We also have some future plans in the works so stay tuned! In the meantime buy some breads.

Taproot Organics

They are the hardest working local artisans I know. I see Daniel at all the local markets, and I am talking every day! Their soaps smell so amazing, and they feel so good, I can’t even tell you how addicted I am. No to drugs, yes to organic soaps.

Bone In

Bone-in is a new edition to the market; selling Paleo friendly ingredients that are so good for you yet taste amazing. They sell sauces, bone broths, propiotics in form of kimchi and pickled beets. Also if you have any nutrition questions, Ron and Virginia are extremely knowledgeable and will take the time to explain anything you might be curious about when it comes to this way of eating.

Mushroom Dude

Where can you get rare foraged mushrooms? At the Grove street farmers market! Last season I got some delicious fresh mushrooms and seasoned it with garlic and olive oil. It was perfection. No he does not have the magical kind (well not on premises at least haha).

Oh Honey

Natural Raw Honey made in the Heights. Nuff said. I eat a jar a week and it keeps me healthy, I have no allergies and even though I barely sleep I have the energy of Wonder Woman. Since my visit to their home in the Heights, I am their biggest fan!

Community Compost Company

A new service/vendor at the Grove Street market “We are a local collection service that picks up food and organic materials and returns them to the earth through composting. We offer a quality service to residences, businesses, schools and institutions while educating about the importance and value of reducing food waste and what we call earth cycling”

This is such a positive service, if you are interested in composting check them out! they make going green easy!

http://communitycompostco.com/

See you guys tonight at the market!