the staff of the Ridgewood blog
MONTVALE, NJ — After more than a century as a cornerstone of Bergen County agriculture, the DePiero Farmstand and Greenhouses has officially closed its doors. The farm, founded in 1924 by Italian immigrants Dante and Inez DePiero, survived economic downturns, shifting consumer habits, and decades of development — but this week, the family-run business officially handed its legacy over to the Borough of Montvale.
For Tammy Palmieri, who ran the farm alongside her brother Glen after the passing of their parents, Edward and Elaine, the closure marks the end of a deeply personal chapter. Flipping through old photographs of her grandparents’ land, Palmieri said, “It’s not what my grandfather had intended. We had hope to keep it going, but times have changed. We’ve done as much as we could.”
Most of the farm’s land had already been sold more than a decade ago, redeveloped into a sprawling shopping plaza anchored by Wegmans and nearby apartments. What remains — a few acres of farmland — was purchased by Montvale for about $5 million, with officials promising to protect its heritage.
Mayor Mike Ghassali shared the community’s commitment in a heartfelt message: “Today, the farm belongs to all of us. It will remain a working farm, professionally operated, with space for a community garden and a farm stand. This isn’t just a transaction — it’s a testament to our shared values and vision for the future.”
🌱 A Farm That Shaped Generations
For decades, the DePiero family grew fresh produce and flowers that became staples of North Jersey households. The farm was also known as a first job for many local teens, instilling hard work and responsibility.
But in recent years, dwindling revenues and a decline in customer loyalty — as shoppers turned to big-box retailers instead of locally grown goods — made it harder to sustain operations. Palmieri acknowledged that farming had always been a struggle against weather, wildlife, and rising costs, challenges far different from those faced by chain stores.
🏛️ Preserving the Legacy
Though the farmstand has closed, Montvale has vowed to carry the DePiero name into the future. Plans include maintaining it as a working farm, offering community gardens, and ensuring a farm stand continues to serve residents.
For Palmieri, the closure is bittersweet. While she now resides on Long Island to support her son, NHL star Kyle Palmieri of the New York Islanders, she carries fond memories of helping her family provide fresh, seasonal food to Bergen County.
“We’re very fortunate,” she said. “The farm may not be ours anymore, but its legacy will live on in the community.”
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“Today, the farm belongs to all of us. It will remain a working farm, professionally operated, with space for a community garden and a farm stand. This isn’t just a transaction — it’s a testament to our shared values and vision for the future.”
COMPLETE BS
the land is as good as gone to development.
the $$ signs are way t good for the town to deny and Ghassali ain’t fooling anyone.
The south entrance was like a Lovers Lane back in the 70s. Woodcliff Lake girls were fun to hang out with !