By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Samantha Gibb, Judy Czerski, Terry Wraga and her daughter, Mollie Wraga, were hunting for the freshest fruits and vegetables for snacks and dinner during their vacation in Sea Isle City.
Their shopping list included celery, scallions, arugula, big berry tomatoes, rainbow carrots, cilantro and some key lime pie for dessert.
“While we’re down here, we’re stocking up,” Gibb said while peering into shopping bags containing some of the things they bought.
Instead of making a trip to the grocery store, Gibb and her three friends stopped by at Sea Isle City’s popular Farmers Market – a must-see attraction during the summer vacation season for countless tourists and residents.
A summer tradition since 2010, the Farmers Market will be held every Tuesday this year until Aug. 29 in Sea Isle’s Excursion Park. Hours are 8 a.m. to noon. It is sponsored by the Sea Isle Chamber of Commerce & Revitalization in cooperation with the city.
“I’m a huge fan of the Farmers Market,” Gibb said as her friends nodded their heads in agreement. “Usually, they have the tastiest fruits and vegetables, because they are fresh from the local farms. It’s good to support the local farms and local economy.”
Samantha Gibb lives in Philadelphia, while Terry and Mollie Wraga are from Mullica Hill, N.J., and Judy Czerski resides in Mount Ephraim, N.J. They are spending a weeklong vacation in Sea Isle.
Amid tables filled with succulent fruits and vegetables, Czerski was happy to find big berry tomatoes.
“They’re usually hard to find. They’re delicious,” she said.
Albert Izzi, owner of Al’s Produce, is a local farmer who has participated in the Farmers Market every year since its inception in 2010.
He and his wife, Sandra, said it’s a treat for them to see their customers every Tuesday in Sea Isle and then have them stop by on other days of the week at the Al’s Produce roadside stand in Ocean View.
“They find us during the offseason and come to us,” Sandra Izzi said of the loyal customers.
For Albert Izzi, it was particularly special to take part in the Farmers Market in his hometown. He was born and raised in Sea Isle.
“I love coming here and seeing all of my special customers. All of the Pennsylvania people have become regular customers and friends,” he said of Sea Isle’s tourists.
Although it’s called the Farmers Market, a variety of items are sold – ranging from flowers to crafts to freshly baked foods to healthy beverages.
Shorebreak Cafe, a Landis Avenue bakery that celebrated its second anniversary in Sea Isle on Tuesday, also took part in the Farmers Market by selling a selection of specialty pastries, donuts, croissants, scones, lemonade and other treats.
Maddalana Ghanayem, a server at the Shorebreak Cafe tent in Excursion Park, said she enjoyed the friendly vibe at the Farmers Market.
“Everyone here is just so friendly and happy,” she said.
Referring to all of the different vendors and attractions at the Farmers Market, Ghanayem said it was great for the customers to experience “so many things at just one place.”
Anthony Mazzochette, of Bella’s Blossoms in Hammonton, sold bouquets of giant sunflowers and other colorful flowers from a vendor tent. His mother, Saidy Mazzochette, owns Bella’s Blossoms.
Mazzochette said he has been vacationing with his family in Sea Isle since he was a child, so it was a special experience for him to participate in the Farmers Market.
“It’s really nice to be a part of the community. It’s like being a part of a large family,” he said.
