Hunter's Farm Opens Friday

It’s official. Spring has sprung in Cinnaminson and is just about open for business.

Hunter’s Farm, which has stood on Union Landing Road for more than 250 years, will open again Friday and will be offering local favorites as well as new items for sale this year.

As vegetable gardens become increasingly popular in residential homes, Hunter’s Farm is keeping up with the trend and has expanded with a larger variety of vegetable plants, including tomatoes and peppers that can be taken home and planted in the backyard.

Farm market owner and eighth-generation Hunter, Amy Hunter, grew up working on the farm and said a vegetable garden is a great activity for families, especially children.

“It’s a great way to educate them on where their food comes from,” she said.

The farmers market will also be introducing a variety of cheeses this year, fresh from local a New Jersey farm.

“We’re starting out with a cheddar cheese and a Gouda cheese,” and are planning to expand the assortment as the season goes on, said Hunter.

Despite unusual weather conditions this year, the Hunter’s will be able to get their seeds to sprout. “We’ve been irrigating our fields for about three weeks now. We had a mild winter, so things are a little dryer this year. We have to offset what Mother Nature has not given us,” Hunter said.

“We have our sweet corn planted and it should be ready the third week of June. Today, actually, we’re planting our watermelons and cantaloupes,” she said earlier this week. You can expect the cantaloupes to be ready in the beginning of July and watermelons in the beginning to mid July, “weather permitting.”

Aside from the crops grown on the farm, Hunter’s Market has an array of vegetables, plants and flowers grown locally.

“We support Jersey Fresh. If it’s in season, we’ve got it from the best growers in New Jersey,” Hunter said.

As in years past, visitors can expect to get fresh, local, Jersey grown produce at the market. “We will have in local asparagus, probably some early Jersey lettuces, local radishes, leaks and arugula” and the list goes on, Hunter said. 

The market features a large variety of pants and flowers for home gardening including annual bedding plants, herbs and hanging baskets.

“We have something for every type of garden; for sun or shade and every color under the rainbow,” Hunter said.

The market also sells baked goods from local bakeries, including rolls, breads, pies and cookies.

Hunter says shopping at a local farmers market has big benefits.

“You can look at the field next to it and see where it’s grown, exactly how it’s grown, and get information on how to store it and how to prepare it,” she said.

Hunter and the farm market staff are enthusiastic about their products and are there to provide their customers with answers to their questions and needs. Sometimes, it goes beyond that.

“I have customers that are now friends and that’s how we deal with every person that walks in the door,” Hunter said.

Even more surprises are on the way at the market as Hunter is looking to soon carry Jersey wine.

“That’s something I have in the works right now,” and she hopes to have it available this year.

Check back throughout the season, as new, fresh and local produce and products are on their way to the Hunter’s Farm and Market.

The Farm Market’s spring hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. It's located at 1101 Union Landing Rd.