It’s no secret that we love a good farmers market. There’s something so inspiring about seeing fresh, seasonal produce line up, creating a rainbow of colors in the market. Perhaps even better is dining at a New Jersey farm-to-table experience. Hoboken’s Daughter did a little research on where you can go to enjoy farm fresh produce straight from the source. There are several farms and wineries in New Jersey offering farm-to-table meals, classes, and other special events where customers can learn more about how their food is prepared. From a picnic with goats to a floristry class with freshly picked flowers, there’s an outing to remember. Read on to plan your outing to one of these New Jersey farms with farm-to-table dining + events.
Alba Vineyard | 269 County Road 627, Milford
(Photo credit: @albavineyard)
This 93-acre property has been in operation since 1982, and tastings are available Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Live music is played on weekends. Some special events Hosted events at Alba include Grill Night and Seasonal Wine Dinners, which feature property-grown produce paired with wines from the vineyard.
Alstede Farms | 1 Alstede Farms Alley, Chester
(Photo credit: @alstedefarms)
Alstede Farms may be known for its fall offerings like wagon rides and apple cider, but the calendar remains busy during the summer with many on-farm offerings. Especially the Farm to Table Strawberry Brunch. This ticketed event gives guests the chance to pick their own strawberries, tour the farm property, and then enjoy a delicious brunch in the farm’s Christmas barn. For Father’s Day, the farm will have a special Father’s Day BBQ also on site. Since much of what the farm offers is based on what’s in season, check back often for updated events.
Acres of Blue Moon | 11 Willow Creek Drive, Pennington
(Photo credit: @bluemoonacres)
Blue Moon Acres is a 63 acre organic farm that grows rice in addition to vegetables. This year, the farm is also the site of two Outstanding in the Field farm dinners. Exceptional in the field IIt’s an international effort to create dining experiences right on the spot where the food is grown (think of it as a pop-up dining experience on the farm). The dinners, which are ticketed events, will take place on September 10 and 11, where farmers Jim and Kathy Lyons will team up with local chefs to create a seasonal feast.
Read more: LifeCap Farms: A sustainable urban mushroom farm in Jersey City
Cherry Grove Farms | 3200 Lawrenceville Road (Hwy 206 N.), Lawrenceville
(Photo credit: @cherrygrovefarm)
The Hamill family has owned the property that has made up the farm since 1902. Today the farm spans 480 acres and farmers raise dairy cows organically using sustainable methods to create happy cows and delicious dairy products. In particular, the cheeses produced at Cherry Grove are made using classic European recipes and have won awards — as well as fans — statewide. The farm accommodates both scheduled and private farm dinners. Each farm dinner has a theme, features Cherry Grove meats and cheeses, and invites other local farmers and producers to contribute to the meal. For a private dinner on the farm, you can work directly with the farm to create a menu. Some of the dinners are what the farm calls BYOTS: bring your own table. The end result is a creative and festive mishmash of tablescapes.
For those who want to get directly involved in certain farm activities, there are frequent classes on site. Guests can learn about homemade cheese, growing a medicinal herb garden, baking sourdough bread (the perfect vehicle for cheese, of course), and even making and extracting cheese. Mozzarella.
City Green Eco-Centre | 171 Grove Street, Clifton
(Photo credit: @citygreennj)
Near and distant neighbors are invited to attend the City Green Eco-Center Farm Party ohn June 23, July 28 and August 25. This is a free event where guests can bring a picnic, explore the farm, visit farm animals and learn more about City Green’s mission. There will be live music, food trucks and beer from local Montclair breweries Ghost Hawk Brewery and Brewery. The farm stand will be open so that customers can also buy fresh produce.
Clos Farm | 681 Closter Dock Road, Closter
(Photo credit: @closter_farm)
Farm Manager Jared Krawitz started Closter Farm in 2020 with a desire to get people close to their food and grow the highest quality food possible – starting with the ground. Jared, a chef, says the team practices what is called regenerative or biodynamic farming traditions. The products are certified organic, but Jared says that’s more than that.
“Everything we do goes way beyond the norm. Our baseline standards are the quality goals of many people,” he said. The cultivate is frequently open to visitors for events, not limited to farm dinners. “We work in partnership with local businesses and organizations to host events like an art class or a yoga class,” Jared mentioned. The farm too offers education for children and adults in agrarian subjects like beekeeping, composting and basic gardening skills. Closter Farm offers cocktail infusion events from farm-grown ingredients, wine and cheese tastings, and of course, farm dinners. Jared said that because the farm is so new, they are still working on getting a regular schedule in progress, so interested customers should check out the Closter Farm website FWhere the latest information.
If one day on the farm isn’t enough for you, Closter Farm also offers a rental property on the site so you can really soak it up. The house is located on farm property, so guests have access to the sights, sounds and smells of the farm experience. Jared says he will working with clients who want a curated experience, whether it’s a catered meal or a educational activities on the farm.
Cecil Creek Farms | 73 Democrat Road, Mickleton
(Photo credit: @cecil_creek_farm)
Farm dinners at Cecil Creek are held after market hours on the 42-acre property. The menu is geared to the seasons, and with only 14 seats at the table, it’s an intimate and informal evening. The five- to eight-course meal is prepared using produce grown on the farm and other local producers. During the meal, the guests will discover the farming practices of the Farm and other producers and will be able to discuss freely with the chef. The meal is BYOB and the evening ends around the fireplace with a mug-style dessert. While most farm dinners are private events, there is a community-style dinner once a month where individual seats can be reserved.
See more: Duke Farms Nature Preserve in New Jersey is a true adventure
The Farm at Glenwood Mountain | 1801 County Road 565, Sussex
(Photo credit: @thenjfarm)
Farm dinners at Glenwood Mountain are held year-round. The meals use ingredients grown on the farm and the meal is prepared by chef and farmer Steve Maclean. Dinner is served either in the newly renovated 1930s dairy barn or in the kitchen area of the Chef’s Table. You can enjoy the view of the farm during your dinner, especially watching the farm animals.
Magnificent goat creamery | 71 Featherbed Lane, Stockton
(Photo credit: @gorgeous_goat)
At a goat picnic at the beautiful Goat Creamery, guests can enjoy their meal on a picnic table while the goats visit and explore the wooded setting. In fact, the creamery informs visitors of the friendly goats: “Our goats love people. If you choose to be up close and personal with them, they will share their love with you while munching your zipper or by rubbing your head against your leg. The Creamery is nestled in the woods of Hunterdon County, and guests are invited to tours and private events. Farmer Maria Stewart is a quality dairy producer through Langston University in Oklahoma. Goat’s milk is used to create cheeses, soaps, and other products available in the dairy market.
La Crèmerie also offers hikes with goats, where you can walk all along 17 acre property with goats. In the spring, guests are invited to help give the bottle and socialize the kids.
Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm | 2691 Monmouth Road, Jobstown
(Photo credit: @locusthall)
There are plenty of options at Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm to explore all that the property has to offer. Eric and Peter Johnson acquired the 315-acre property in 2013 in order to preserve the historical heritage of the property and to create a space where people could enjoy the elegance and beauty of the farmhouse. The farm was originally owned by the Black family from the early 1700s, so there were several generations of history to keep in mind as the property has been updated and a wedding and special the location of events has been added.
Throughout the summer, this farm offers a variety of events, including flower-focused events events, musical evenings with light snacks and farm dinners with food and wine pairings. Bunches and Brunches is a brunch event where guests enjoy a five-course meal and can pick and arrange their own flowers in the farm gardens. There is also Flower Workshops where customers can enjoy light snacks and golden hour on the farm while pick flowers and learn how to grow their own. Local Nights at the Farm are evenings where guests can enjoy wagon rides, live music, food and drink on the farm. Farm-to-table dinners are hosted in the farm’s Breezeway Barn where guests can enjoy a five-course farm-to-table dinner, live music, and beautiful farm views.
