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There is something special about spending a summer morning at a local farmers market.
Fresh produce, baked goods, locally made products and conversations with farmers and small-business owners make these markets more than places to shop. They are gathering spaces that connect New Jersey residents with the people who grow, raise and create food within their communities.
At Spring Valley Turkey Farm in Old Bridge, New Jersey, supporting local agriculture is important to us throughout the entire year. Whether you are purchasing fresh vegetables in July, visiting a local maker or reserving a locally raised turkey for Thanksgiving, every local purchase helps strengthen New Jersey’s farming community.
To help you plan your next weekend outing, we gathered a selection of farmers markets throughout Monmouth County, Ocean County and Middlesex County.
Market dates and hours can change because of weather, holidays or special events, so always check the linked market page before leaving home.
Why Shop at a New Jersey Farmers Market?
New Jersey may be known for its busy highways and coastal towns, but agriculture remains an important part of the Garden State’s identity.
The state grows more than 100 varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs. New Jersey is also nationally recognized for crops including blueberries, peaches, bell peppers, squash, tomatoes and cranberries. The Jersey Fresh program helps shoppers identify products grown in New Jersey.
Shopping at a farmers market can help you:
- Support New Jersey farmers and small businesses
- Find fresh, seasonal food
- Learn where your food comes from
- Discover local bakers, makers and artisans
- Keep more spending within the community
- Introduce children to local agriculture
- Build relationships with local food producers
Many markets also feature prepared foods, flowers, honey, eggs, cheese, handmade items, entertainment and children’s activities.
Supporting local farms helps strengthen communities, preserve farmland, and keep New Jersey agriculture thriving.
Farmers Markets in Monmouth County, NJ
Asbury FRESH Farmers & Makers Market
The Asbury FRESH market brings farmers, food vendors and local makers together in downtown Asbury Park.
2026 schedule: Sundays, May 31 through September 27
Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Press Plaza, Asbury Park
Visit the Asbury FRESH market page for current dates and vendor details.
Bell Works FRESH Farmers & Makers Market
This indoor-outdoor market offers a convenient midweek opportunity to shop locally at Bell Works.
Schedule: Wednesdays
Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Bell Works, Holmdel
The organizer also schedules select Saturday markets throughout the year. Check the FRESH Markets event calendar before visiting.
Fair Haven Farmers Market
The Fair Haven Farmers Market operates on select Saturdays rather than every weekend.
2026 dates: June 13, July 11, August 8, September 12, October 10 and November 14
Hours: 9 a.m. to noon
Location: Willow Street, Fair Haven
Visit the Fair Haven Farmers Market website for updates.
Hazlet Farmers Market
The Hazlet Farmers Market offers a long season extending from spring into November.
2026 schedule: Saturdays, May 23 through November 14
Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: James J. Cullen Center parking lot, 1776 Union Avenue, Hazlet
Check the Hazlet Township website for current information.
Highlands Farmers Market
The Highlands Farmers Market is held at Huddy Park and continues into late fall.
2026 schedule: Saturdays, June 20 through November 21
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Huddy Park, Highlands
Visit the Borough of Highlands website for market announcements.
Marlboro Farmers Market
The Marlboro Farmers Market features seasonal vendors and a pre-holiday market before Thanksgiving.
2026 schedule: Sundays, June through October
Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 444 Route 520, Marlboro
The township lists opening dates and special markets on its official Marlboro Farmers Market page.
Matawan FRESH Farmers & Makers Market
Located near Spring Valley Turkey Farm’s home community, the Matawan market features food, handmade goods and local vendors.
2026 schedule: Select Saturdays, June 13 through September 26
Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: 201 Broad Street, Matawan
Check the FRESH Markets calendar for individual market dates.
Red Bank Farmers Market at The Galleria
The Red Bank Farmers Market is one of the area’s longer-running seasonal Sunday markets.
2026 schedule: Sundays, May 10 through mid-November
Hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: The Galleria, Red Bank
Visit The Galleria at Red Bank for market information.
Downtown Freehold Market
The Downtown Freehold market offers another opportunity to combine local shopping with a visit to downtown restaurants and businesses.
2026 schedule: June 26 through October
Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Hall of Records area, Downtown Freehold
Visit the Downtown Freehold website for dates and event updates.
Find More Monmouth County Markets
The county-supported Grown in Monmouth Farmers Market Directory is another useful resource for finding farms, markets and locally produced goods throughout Monmouth County.
Farmers Markets in Ocean County, NJ
Barnegat Farmers Market
Schedule: Thursdays
Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 900 West Bay Avenue, Barnegat
The market also advertises a free children’s activity period from 11 a.m. to noon.
Bay Head Farmers Market
2026 season: July through September
Schedule: Thursdays
Hours: Noon to 4 p.m.
Location: Municipal parking lot on Bridge Avenue, Bay Head
Brick Farmers Market
The Brick Farmers Market is held at Windward Beach Park and includes a mix of farm, food and specialty vendors.
2026 schedule: Saturdays, May 2 through October 3
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Windward Beach Park, 265 Princeton Avenue, Brick
Visit the Brick Farmers Market website for current vendor and event information.
Downtown Toms River Farmers Market
2026 schedule: Wednesdays, June 17 through October 14
Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Town Hall Courtyard on Washington Street, Toms River
Lacey Farmers Market
2026 schedule: Fridays, May 22 through September 25
Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Lacey United Methodist Church, 203 Lacey Road, Forked River
Farmers Market at Lacey Elks
2026 schedule: Sundays, April 19 through September 6
Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: 900 Beach Boulevard, Forked River
Point Pleasant Beach FRESH Farmers & Makers Market
2026 schedule: Sundays, June 21 through September 13
Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: NJ Transit parking lot, 317 Cooks Road, Point Pleasant Beach
Check the FRESH Markets calendar before attending.
Seaside Park Farmers Market
2026 schedule: Mondays and Fridays, May 22 through September 7
Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Seaside Park Marina Lawn, near J Street and Central Avenue
Surf City Farmers Market
2026 schedule: Mondays, June 29 through August 31
Hours: 8 a.m. to noon
Location: 713 Long Beach Boulevard, Surf City
The Market at Adventure Crossing
2026 schedule: Saturdays, May 16 through October 24
Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: 515 Monmouth Road, Jackson
Waretown Farmers Market
2026 schedule: Tuesdays, July 7 through September 1
Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 117 Wells Mills Road, Waretown
For additional Ocean County listings and possible schedule changes, visit the Ocean County Tourism farmers market guide.
Farmers Markets in Middlesex County, NJ
Rutgers Community Farmers Market
The Rutgers Community Farmers Market operates at several New Brunswick locations during the season.
Jones Avenue Market Pavilion
2026 schedule: Tuesdays, July 7 through October 27
Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 178 Jones Avenue, New Brunswick
The Jones Avenue location also hosts Saturday markets from June 20 through November 21.
College Avenue Student Center
2026 schedule: Thursdays, August 27 through November 19
Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: 126 College Avenue, New Brunswick
The market notes that public parking is not available at this location. Visit the Rutgers Community Farmers Market website for the complete schedule and additional locations.
Rutgers Gardens Farmers Market
The Rutgers Gardens location offers a market surrounded by the university’s gardens and natural areas.
2026 season: May through November
Hours: Fridays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Rutgers Gardens, Log Cabin Road, New Brunswick
The City of New Brunswick announced that the 2026 farmers market season began May 22 and continues through November, with closures on certain holidays. Check the City of New Brunswick market announcement before visiting.
North Brunswick Community Farmers Market
North Brunswick hosts community farmers market events during the summer season. Because individual dates may be announced separately, shoppers should check the Township of North Brunswick website and community calendar for the newest schedule.
Find Additional Middlesex County Farm Markets
Middlesex County’s Rutgers Cooperative Extension provides agricultural education and local farming resources from its office at Davidson’s Mill Pond Park in North Brunswick. Visit the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County for county agricultural programs and events.
You can also use the statewide Find Jersey Fresh directory to search by location and find nearby farms, farm stands, markets and pick-your-own destinations.
Tips for Visiting a Local Farmers Market
Bring reusable shopping bags and consider carrying a small insulated bag if you plan to buy meat, cheese, eggs or other refrigerated products.
Arriving earlier may provide the best selection, while visiting near closing can offer a quieter shopping experience. Bringing smaller bills can also be helpful, although many vendors now accept credit cards or digital payments.
Because vendors and available products change throughout the season, each visit may offer something different. Ask farmers what was recently harvested, what will be available soon and how they recommend preparing unfamiliar items.
Most importantly, confirm the market’s schedule before you travel. Outdoor markets may close or change locations because of severe weather, holidays, construction or special events.
Farmers markets connect New Jersey families with fresh, locally grown produce while supporting local farms and agricultural businesses throughout the community.
Supporting Local Agriculture Beyond the Farmers Market
Shopping at a farmers market is only one way to support New Jersey agriculture.
You can also visit local farm stands, purchase a community-supported agriculture membership, attend farm events, recommend local farms to friends and choose locally raised products when planning holiday meals.
At Spring Valley Turkey Farm, we are proud to raise fresh Broad Breasted White turkeys for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Our turkeys are USDA processed, fresh and oven-ready, with reservations traditionally opening around Labor Day.
A holiday turkey begins long before Thanksgiving morning. Supporting a local farm means supporting the planning, daily animal care and hard work required throughout the year.
Make Local Shopping Part of Your Summer
From Asbury Park and Matawan to Brick, Toms River and New Brunswick, Central New Jersey offers plenty of opportunities to shop locally this summer.
Choose one market you have never visited, bring the family and see what local farmers, bakers and makers have to offer. Every local purchase, large or small, helps keep New Jersey agriculture growing!
Which local farmers market is your favorite?
A future generation of farm supporters! Spring Valley Turkey Farm is proud to provide locally raised, pasture-raised Thanksgiving turkeys for families throughout New Jersey.
