This year, the Denville Farmers’ Market celebrated its 15th year, and we thought it was time to get to know how it all started. Through the inspiration and hard work of Liisi Lascarro, the market manager, we’ve enjoyed year ’round access to local farmers, seasonal produce, unique purveyors and more. Let’s chat with Liisi and find out how it all started.
What was your original motivation to start the DFM?
My upbringing included growing our own food and farm to table meals, so the understanding and appreciation of seasonal, locally grown food is encoded in me. My college summer job was working farmers’ markets for Picklelicious that provided me with an overview of different markets and the different aspects of farmers’ markets. My husband Walter and I moved to Denville in 2007 and as we learned about the town and its community I saw an opportunity with important pieces being in place the location, the health and family oriented community, and Union Hill Farms in town. Township support and collaboration, with special thanks to Kristin Pamperin and Thomas Andes, has been a key for the market’s success.
What has been the biggest challenge to running the market? What’s the biggest reward?
You mean I can complain about my 6am alarm on Sundays? All kidding aside, I always wish for more time to execute ideas as the opportunities are endless when it comes to community involvement. Uncontrollable weather is sometimes a challenge but so far we have managed the conditions from wind to freezing. We thank the shoppers who support the market no matter the weather.
After managing the market for 15 seasons, every Sunday still is special and unique. Vendors have become my Sunday family and there is so much joy among market visitors that always gives me positive energy.
How does the DFM stand out from other markets in the area?
I hear a lot that Denville is known to be the friendliest market. There is unity among the vendors and always good conversations and catching up by market goers as Denville and our neighboring town communities are very connected.
We love that the market runs all year long. How challenging is it to maintain during the cold Winter months?
Denville Farmers’ Market is a growers market and it is a challenging task to provide the locally grown produce during New Jersey winter. However, Chickadee Creek Farm grows a variety of greens in their tunnels and Sweetleaf Farm brings hydroponic greens all year round. There is a variety of storage crops. In addition to produce farms, the market offers amazing specialty farms, Bobolink Dairy and Bakehouse with award winning cheeses, R&M Farms with the best eggs and high quality meat selection, Harbee Beekeeping with honey, and so much more. The winter market has a lot to offer for foodies and locavores.
How do you select the vendors?
Initially, I was looking to include the most local vendors. Now that Denville is an established market, I am looking for unique artisan food that would complement the current line up of vendors.
What are your go-to purchases during the Fall season?
Fall= homemade soups. I make my own bone marrow broth with R&M Farms soup bones. First step is to flavor the broth with the abundance of seasonal tastes-fennel, onions, celery, scallions, carrots, and herbs. The fun step for broth flavoring is to ask for a mix of mushrooms for this purpose from the knowledgeable Foraged Feast; it has not disappointed! The second round of creativity is to give substance to the amazing broth-cabbage, winter squashes, kale, etc. I have found my go-to recipes in the Edible Jersey collection.
If you were to start a farmers’ market now, what is one thing you’d do differently?
I believe the vision and concept of being a community gathering place and a space for local growers and artisan food vendors to offer their products directly to consumers has its clarity with managing the market. But it breaks my heart to say no to new farmers who are looking to join farmers’ markets, because there currently is a good balance of farmers. I hope for a surge of farmers’ market shoppers to support adding more local farms to the line up.
Anything new coming to the market?
The township was helpful in working through the permits to allow local breweries, wineries, and distilleries to attend the farmers’ market, so the next challenge will be to create a line up. Stay tuned!
