It's New to Us By Jean Stratton

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Brand New Kingston Farm Market Offers Fresh Vegetables and Fruit

Whatever the current diet of choice these days – low fat, low carbs, Atkins, South Beach, and the like – chances are vegetables are a major part of the plan. Whether it's the "super veggie" broccoli or all the bright colored beneficial choices – carrots, spinach, beets, peppers, etc. – veggies are an increasingly important part of today's healthful diet.

If you never finish your spinach, perhaps it's time to rethink, and the new Kingston Farm Market is here to help you do just that.

Just opened last Saturday at 4428 B Route 27 North (Main Street) in Kingston, it specializes in farm fresh Jersey vegetables and fruit, as well as a full selection from California and Florida.

"We grow our vegetables on Catalpa Farm in Somerset, which we have owned for five years. We don't use any pesticides on our farm, and everything is healthy and safe. Our main challenge is always the weather, which, of course, is unpredictable," says owner Dawn Zinna, who teamed up with three other partners to make the farm market a reality.

Jersey Fresh

"We had been doing open air markets, and we decided we wanted to do something more," she explains. "We thought people would like an opportunity to get Jersey fresh vegetables. People are definitely interested in healthier eating, and vegetables are the best thing to eat, especially with some of the popular diets today.

"We will have Jersey fresh vegetables when they are available, and when not, we will carry high quality veggies from Florida and California. Right now, we have Jersey fresh asparagus, spinach, leeks, scallions, radishes, kale, and herbs, and Jersey strawberries are right around the corner, too. We will also have Jersey corn for the Fourth of July, and Jersey tomatoes, and we will have a selection of all the popular local summer fruits.

"In addition," she continues, "We have our own farm fresh brown eggs from the Long Island red chickens on our farm. We also expect to have chickens and turkeys when we get established, and free range turkeys to order."

At the Saturday grand opening, the country market presented an inviting display of colorful veggies and fruit to tempt the tastebuds. Grapefruit, oranges, lemons, limes, grapes, pears, bananas, apples, avocados, tomatoes, red and green peppers, potatoes, squash, green beans, onions, broccoli, cabbage, and corn were just a part of the plentiful selection.

Fresh-cut flowers and plants, such as marigolds, petunias, and impatiens, are also available, as are hanging baskets.

Fresh-baked cookies and pies are another daily specialty, and such popular pies as apple, peach, blueberry, peach-blueberry, strawberry-rhubarb, are all available.

"We also carry a new line of preserves and spreads, as well as local honey," notes Ms. Zinna.

Roasted nuts, dried fruit, and nut trail mixes are in stock, as is a selection of soft drinks.

Healthy Recipes

The staff is happy to answer questions, and as Ms. Zinna notes, "We will welcome suggestions from customers and be glad to do special orders. We will also be offering healthy recipes soon."

Items are competitively-priced, she adds, and she looks forward to introducing many customers to the market.

"Now, we just have to get the word out to people that we are here. Once they find us, I'm sure they'll be back again. I love it when someone comes back and raves about the tomatoes, or says 'I never had sweet corn like that'. Wait till they taste it right from our farm!

"We enjoy hearing people talk about going to the Kingston Farm Market already. We are trying to offer quality products for customers at reasonable prices. Also, since we concentrate on fresh items, we don't have 100 boxes of things. Come early, and you won't be disappointed!"

The Kingston Farm Market is open Monday through Friday 9 to 7, Saturday and Sunday 9 to 4. (609) 688-9118.