You know what would make this year's market even better, friends? YOU! The Merchantville's Farmers Market Committee would love to hear from you and have your input at our meetings. The first meeting of the 2013 Season is next Saturday, February 2nd at 9:00 a.m in Borough Hall. We're gearing up to talk with our wonderful vendors from last year, and hoping to add a few new vendors for this year!  What can we tell them is on your wish list for the market this year? Join us!

Almost Home Animal Shelter will be at the Farmer’s Market today. Come visit them and meet some of their residents. You can also find them on Facebook at: Almost Home Animal Shelter. If you’re able to donate blankets, towels or anything that can be used as bedding or cleaning rags,

Farmers Market runs from 9AM - 1PM at the gazebo on Centre & Chestnut.

The pink blossoms started showing up in March, long before their usual appearance. Now, at orchards across New Jersey and Pennsylvania, peaches are being harvested a full two to three weeks ahead of schedule. "People are excited about everything being early," said Eric Johnson, co-owner of Johnson's Corner Farm in Medford, where the harvest began Saturday. "Typically, we'd begin picking in the third week of June." Peaches are shipping to area grocery stores, farm markets, and roadside stands. Other crops, including strawberries, apricots and blueberries, also have come in weeks early. http://bit.ly/MN2YhV

Desiree's Desserts had a sellout day at Merchantville's first market. Owner Desiree Taylor is pursuing her dream as a dessert caterer offering healthier, homemade desserts for your next party or event. She prides herself in making desserts using high quality ingredients,

Our next market, on June 16th, will feature some of the freshest, local produce around from Darmo's Farm, in Moorestown since 1907. Desiree's Desserts specializing in providing very small to large desserts made with high quality ingredients, zero trans fats, zero artificial dyes, additives and preservatives. Michelle Tomlinson's Potato Salad, the ultimate side dish - for years a staple at the Alden Cafe in Maple Shade. Coda Rossa Winery, whose passion for wine goes far beyond the delicious aromas and flavors that exist within each bottle. Balic Winery, a Mays Landing winery featuring more than 27 award-winning premium and ultra-premium wines. Nature's Own Farms, purveyor of 100% natural chicken, beef, eggs and cheeses. Merchantville's own Chef Rebecca Bailey of the Tea Kettle Bakery & Cafe, offering homemade jams, jellies and salsas.

The Merchantville Farmers Market makes a 2012 comeback on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. along the "Merchantville Mile" on Chestnut Avenue. Due to the Birthday Celebration today's soft opening will feature produce and flowers from Darmo family Farms who "farms with pride from seed to harvest"; homemade potato salads from Alden Cafe; and, 100% natural mini cupcakes, cakes, tarts, cookies and other treats by Desiree;s Desserts.

Peach trees already are blooming in shades of pink all over South Jersey a harbinger of an earlier spring brought on by warmer than normal winter and spring temperatures that reached as high as 80 degrees last month. “It looks like peaches will be early because we are nearly three weeks ahead of the normal blossom time, but no one ever knows,” he said. “We are still so far away from the rest of the season and you never know what the weather will bring.” http://on.cpsj.com/HiDyWW

According to the Department of Agriculture, the Garden State is the fourth-largest peach producing state, with a crop valued at more than $31 million. Bloom time is usually around April 20, with the harvest in July. If the pink flowers on the peach trees bloom ahead of schedule, they could be wiped out by a late season cold snap. "This could be a problem for our peach crop this year," said Russo, who would prefer the temperature to be in the more seasonable 40s instead of the 50s. http://bit.ly/y2PyaC

Please join us at Borough Hall Saturday, April 14th at 9 a.m. to continue planning for the 2012 Farmers Market. We are looking for volunteers to help with set-up, break-down, logistics, marketing, etc. Please invite friends and neighbors that are interested. For additional information call or email Steve Volkert at 609-929 4735 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.