Association Hopes To Bring Farmers' Market To Downtown Eatontown

The Downtown Business Association of Eatontown is committed to bringing a farmers' market to downtown area of the borough this summer.

Association President Pamela Caputo outlined the group's plan for the market for the Eatontown Council this week and said she would like to see it begin in June in .

"By bringing it to the area, we enable people to stay local and come downtown to buy locally-grown products," Caputo said.

Caputo said she would like the farmers' market to be held on Sundays for six months from approximately 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Caputo said having the market for six month would give the borough 10 points in the Sustainable Jersey program. Sustainable Jersey is a "certification program for  municipalities in New Jersey that want to go green, save money, and take steps to sustain their quality of life over the long term," according to the program's web site.

Caputo said table fees from vendors could help fund the market in the future, but that Downtown Business Association of Eatontown would require assistance from the borough to start the program this year.

"To get started we would ask for the borough's help in starting the project with expediting the use of the park, waiving fess for permits and zoning applications and adding signage for municipal parking," Caputo said.

Caputo said the association would also need assistance with liability insurance, waste management and advertisement.

She said the cost to run a farmers' market with 10-15 vendors would between $12,000-$15,000.

Borough Attorney Gene Anthony said he would look at Long Branch's farmers' market ordinance, which includes zoning changes, to see what the borough has to do to legally bring the market to Eatontown.

Anythony said as long as the market is classified as a "borough-sponsored event," it should alleviate any potential problems with Green Acres.

Mayor Gerald Tarantolo said he supports the idea, but questioned whether there would be enough time for the borough to do what it needs to do to get the market started in June.

Councilman Dennis Connelly said the farmers market should not be rushed so it can begin in June and that the association should go for the "wow factor" for the first year. He said that will encourage more vendors and residents to visit the market.

Councilman Anthony Talerico has been acting as the council liaison to the Downtown Business Association of Eatontown and said he fully supports their plan and will work with the members to bring the market to the borough this summer.

"It's putting people into the area," Councilman Talerico said. "People will open their eyes when they see it."

Mayor Tarantolo said Caputo should work with Anthony to sort out what the association needs to do to get the farmers market started and that the topic will be discussed again at a future meeting.

Caputo said she agreed and said the farmers market will be a way to renew the public's interest in downtown Eatontown.

"It's time to encourage the downtown area to be proactive and reclaim that area," Caputo said. "Right now, there's just a general malaise in the area."