SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015, 1:27 PM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
For the past 15 years, the Ridgewood Farmers’ Market has returned to the village every Sunday to sell its fresh, locally grown produce to northern New Jersey customers, who happily peruse the various stands to see which products are available each week.
But when the day ends and the unsold fresh fruits and vegetables are left over, where do they end up?
A few years ago, a group of volunteers from Ridgewood’s First Presbyterian Church found an answer for that question.
Mary Shaw, a church member who coordinates the volunteers, got the idea as she passed the Farmers’ Market on the west side of the train station and wondered if the vendors would donate the leftover food.
“I just had this idea one Sunday a few years ago to ask the farmers to consider giving their leftover produce to food pantries,” Shaw said. “They were very willing and happy to do it. These farmers are incredibly generous individuals to share their goods in this way.”
Additionally, another participant in the Farmers’ Market, Baker’s Bounty, a bakery based in Linden, has been donating large bags of various fresh baked breads to the volunteers.
A group of approximately eight volunteers are gathered from a pool of 35 and meet at the Ridgewood train station each Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/market-helps-produce-for-those-in-need-1.1404076