On behalf of the board of the West Windsor Community Farmers Market, and as the manager and “face” of the market, we would like to simply say, thank you.
It takes a village to run a farmers market, especially one that cares about everyone involved. We’ve been voted New Jersey’s favorite farmers market four years in a row, a distinction we take very seriously and we are beyond proud to hold that title. We live in a unique community without a town center, and we’d like to think that for six months each year, for 12 years running, we’ve become a downtown for West Windsor on Saturday mornings.
Thank you to the dedicated shoppers, market goers, fans, and friends. As a community member-led, grassroots organization, this outpouring of support by residents of our own town along with so many surrounding towns means the world to our farmers, vendors, and us!
We constantly strive to create the inviting space that is the market. From cooking demonstrations, music, and special events to the table and chair you’ve enjoyed your juice or crepe at, we’ve been behind the scenes to ensure your positive experience.
Community residents along with high school students magically appear on Saturday mornings at 7:30 a.m. to carry and set up market supplies, count cars, and pitch in where needed. Other community volunteers can be found greeting shoppers, loaning cookbooks, and selling market tokens, T-shirts and canvas bags at our information tent. This generosity of their time does not go unnoticed.
We appreciate the support from our township, whether it is for public works or paperwork. West Windsor Parking Authority allows us to take over their lot on Vaughn Drive each week, and we are eternally grateful for this space we call home.
We thank our many community groups for bringing awareness and education to the marketplace. Our weekly musicians keep us entertained and tapping our toes, and we thank them for their commitment to play despite days with unfavorable weather conditions.
Thank you to our artisan food and natural product vendors who create the most spectacular items each week and round out the market experience for everyone, allowing us to shop for just about everything not found on farms.
And last, but most importantly, we wouldn’t be a farmers market without our farmers. We are in awe of their dedication to agriculture in our great state. This hard work does not go unnoticed. They feed us, nourish us, and help us lead healthier lives.
Even with the outdoor season ending for the year, we invite and encourage everyone to continue to eat locally all winter long by supporting local agriculture and artisans. One easy way is to frequent our indoor markets at the Windsor Athletic Club on Clarksville Road on the second Saturday of each month.
May gratitude, joys of the season and the kindness in our hearts be contagious.
Chris Cirkus
Manager, West Windsor Community Farmers Market
Channing Way, West Windsor
It has been my privilege to serve on the West Windsor Township Council for eight-and-a-half years.
During that time I have come to cherish and respect the community in a new way. As a professional firefighter and as a youth sports coach I have always given back to my community, but being an elected official has been a different and extremely rewarding experience, for which I am grateful to the voters who chose me.
I am going to continue to serve the West Windsor community as a volunteer. I am going to continue to voice my opinions. I am going to continue to aid my fellow citizens who need to deal with the local government. And I am going to continue to use my expertise to help others.
I wish everyone happy holidays and prosperous new beginning in the coming new year.
George Borek
