'Secrets' of the Collingswood Farmers Market Tour Saturday

So you've been going to the Collingswood Farmers Market for years. You think you're an old hand at it. But then something catches the corner of your eye—a vendor you haven't seen before. A stall where there didn't used to be one.

And then it hits you. You're out of touch. You need a guided tour.

Well if you've got 30 minutes Saturday morning, get over to the information tent at the east end of the market by 8:15 a.m., and you'll meet Friends of the Farmers Market volunteer Erin O’Donnell for a “Get to Know the Market” tour.

According to market organizer David Hodges, the walk will help familiarize shoppers with new sections of the market that have emerged in the last couple of years.

"The market has been full to capacity for several seasons and nobody wants to leave, so adding new vendors is a challenge," Hodges told Patch in an email.

Can't make the 8 a.m. tour? Here's a recap of some of the new changes.

"This year we converted a couple of 'two-spaces-with-vehicle' vendors into 'one-space-no-vehicle' vendors to create room for Far Wind Farm, our new full-season, cage-free, pastured-hen egg vendor," Hodges said.

Near the music tent, farmers market organizers have created a Guest Vendor area to host "a revolving roster of short-season growers like berry farms and non-agricultural, value-added vendors," Hodges said.

"There’s also a new BID vendor area at the west end of the market," he noted, "where members of Collingswood’s Business Improvement District can promote their businesses (or even sell food not grown in New Jersey!)"

Regular Collingswood BID guests include: Cheese, Etc. Sara’s Produce and DiBartolo Bakery, Hodges said.

Other new vendors, according to Hodges:

• Waldor Orchids of Linwood, NJ "hybridizes, nurtures, and brings to market their exquisite, locally produced orchids."
• Blue Acres Berry Farm grows only blueberries, "but they’re much-anticipated every year."
• Brookeberry Farms "brings organic raspberries and organic blackberries and customarily sells out by 10 a.m."
• Dee Dee’s Garden "grows basil, creates pesto, and brings it frozen to market so it can be preservative-free."
• John & Kira’s Chocolates of Philadelphia "brings high-end gourmet chocolates."
• Green Aisle Grocery of East Passyunk "produces and brings to market organic and locally sourced chutneys, preserves, nut butters, and other delicacies."
• Market Day Canele "brings an addictive, pretty much indescribable, specialty French pastry delicacy you could easily live without...until you try one."
• Hand & Paw Massage offers—you guessed it!—comforting, therapeutic, hands-on manipulation for your pampered pet.