Our Mission Statement
The mission of the Medford Lakes Farmers Market is to create a vibrant marketplace which connects area residents with the local agricultural community, provides educational and social opportunities and allows for greater access to healthy food and increased opportunities for local farmers and area businesses.
Our Story
"We should have a farmer's market in Medford Lakes." That's what residents Steve and Leah Bruder thought. Having enjoyed visiting farmer’s markets for years they appreciated cooking and eating fresh, seasonal foods, getting to know farmers and where their food came from, and the general values that farmer’s markets always seemed to reflect. As professional land use planners, they also understood how interconnected land use planning, food systems, and public health are.
So after living in Medford Lakes for two years, talking with friends, and getting to know the town, in the summer of 2009, they decided to see what it would take to bring a Farmer’s Market to the borough. They knew this fun-loving town with its rich sense of community and tradition, coupled with its appreciation for nature and the outdoors, would be a perfect place to start a lively, vibrant marketplace…and they were right.
Steve & Leah put out word through the Medford Lakes Colony Newsletter to see if other residents would be as interested. One meeting later, a Farmer’s Market committee was born and a plan set in motion. With full support received from the Borough of Medford Lakes in February 2010, the volunteer committee forged ahead with the balance of all that was needed to make Opening Day a reality. This included reaching out to almost 100 farmers in South Jersey, recruiting additional volunteers for seasonal support, determining all of the market day logistics, as well as rallying financial support from residents, and sponsorships from businesses. It also meant creating a brand, and promoting the market beyond Medford Lakes to ensure it’s long-term success.
Overall, the passion for this effort has been tremendous. Enthusiasm from Medford Lakes residents and so many of its neighboring communities has been overwhelming. Steve and Leah’s vision has inspired everyone. The Market's inaugural year was exciting and immensely rewarding for everyone involved.
Now we look ahead to many successful market seasons and to the continued support of community, sponsors, shoppers, and our farmers and artisans that make it all possible.
