N&D Mag 6:5

BY PAIGE TAYLOR

NIGHT AND DAY

When you think of a farmersmarket, what comes to mind? Ifimages of bountiful fruits andvegetables jog your memory, you’reon the right track and will bepleasantly surprised with that whichresides in Red Bank’s Galleria everySunday through November.

The local farmers market, run bySourlis International, is even morethan what you might be expecting.Fresh, locally-grown produce fromsome of New Jersey’s finest farmers,as well as a satisfying variation offood and local craft vendors are onlysome of what you’ll find at the market,located in the Red Bank Galleriaparking lot on the corner of BridgeAvenue and West Front Street.

On any given Sunday, patronsnumbering in the thousands strollaround the parking lot, which isdelightfully disguised as a pop-upmarket that hosts around 40 vendors.

According to George Sourlis, co-manager of the market, the farmersmarket was not always such abooming locale. Sourlis said the initialidea sprouted 15 years ago as athought by his mother, Elaine. Themarket is operated by George, hisbrother Jim Sourlis and brother-in-lawTed Whitehouse. During its inception,the market had only a few vendorsand not nearly as much to offer as itrelates to what you’ll find therepresent day.

“There are farmers who have theirown garden supplies and produces,bakeries and bread companies, avegan truck,” he said, also mentioningcoffee, craft and honey vendors.

Sourlis said 2,500 to 3,000 peoplevisit the Galleria parking lot to taste,try and take home different offeringsfrom the vendors, all of which arefrom New Jersey.

Sunday afternoons at the Galleriahave become a “destination point”and friendly gathering according toSourlis, who finds that many peoplehe has known in the past show up forthe freshest fares.

“It’s a great way for people tocome see their friends, get some foodand also get other things they need,”he said.

Not only does the market offershaded tables that accompany thevendors’ products, but it also featurestwo unique food trucks to go alongwith the country-wide recent foodcraze.

Vegan lovers can indulge inofferings from “The Cinnamon Snail”truck and those with the oppositepreference can dabble in differentoptions featuring New Jersey’scarnivorous necessity — pork roll —at “Johnny’s Pork Roll and CoffeeTruck.”

For those interested in enjoying aSunday afternoon with the chance totake home local foods, pick up freshflowers for your special someone orjust to wander and gaze at the area’sfreshest cuisine while forging a senseof community, the farmers market isRed Bank’s best place to do so.

A short walk from the downtownand a rough 100 yards from the RedBank Train Station, the market isconveniently situated and sure toplease.

The market opened for the seasonon May 17 and will run throughNovember from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The market is a member of theNew Jersey Council of Farmers andCommunities as well as a source ofJersey Fresh from the Garden State.

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The Galleria’s Farmers Market: a local treasure

NIGHT & DAY MAGAZINE | JUNE 4, 2015 PAGE 31