By Maddy Vitale
Deep purple eggplant, giant husks of sweet corn, juicy Jersey tomatoes, glossy green peppers, plump blueberries, and even peaches shaped like doughnuts filled tables at the Sea Isle Farmers Market Tuesday.
The Farmers Market began June 18 and runs through Aug. 27, every Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and features products from local farmers and businesses.
Brendan McGowan, of Glenside, Pa., owns McGowan’s Market in Sea Isle.
“We don’t sell corn at my market,” he said with a laugh.
He spent a few minutes at Monroeville-based Visalli Farms’ table choosing from an abundance of corn husks on a table. He methodically stacked them in a couple of bags, and he was ready to go.
“My wife told me I have to stop by the Farmers Market for corn,” he said. “She loves the corn from Visalli’s.”
Like McGowan, some patrons came with a mission to find that perfect plum or apple and then they were off.
For Maureen Schuck, of Garnet Valley, Pa., and her daughter, Avalon Schuck, 4, and family friend, Tammy Warmann, of Atlanta, Ga., they were into browsing.
They summer in Sea Isle and the Farmers Market is one of their favorite stops, they said.
Avalon hurried over to flower vendor Muth Farms.
The little girl proudly showed off a fake purple flower she wore in her hair. She marveled at the different wildflowers before picking up an orange flower.
“I like all flowers,” Avalon said with a smile.
Then Avalon and her family were off to discover sand art and then stop by a table for candies
Mary Ellen Muth, of Gloucester- based Muth Farms, said she loves seeing people like the Schucks and Warmann.
“I’m here every year. It is my favorite part of the summer,” she said. “I am always surprised that I see the same people year after year. It really is such a tradition for people.”
Vendor Joe Palumbo, owner of Philly Bill’s Dills, scooped fresh sliced pickles into plastic tubs and set them on his vendor table.
“These are fresh, homemade pickles. They just came out of the jar last night,” Palumbo said.
He participates in the Farmers Market every summer.
“This is a good market,” he said. “It supports local businesses and there are lots of varieties. They have the best fresh fruits and vegetables.”
The Sea Isle Farmers Market is sponsored by the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization.
