Ribbon Cutting Celebrates Expansion Of Chester's Alstede Farms

CHESTER, NJ — A Chester family-owned farm has expanded for the fourth time, providing convenient year-round access to fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables in a new part of Morris County.

Alstede Fresh at Lindeken Farms, the farm's fourth location and Jefferson's Township's first locally sourced farm store, officially opened on April 27 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The farm store is located at 54 State Route 15 North and Berkshire Valley Road and will be open all year. Alstede Fresh at Lindeken Farms will sell seasonal produce directly from the Alstede farm fields in Chester.

"We’re proud to share the wholesome goodness we grow with Jefferson Township families," said Alstede Farms founder Kurt Alstede, who was joined by his wife, Special Projects Manager Mary E. Thompson-Alstede, and daughter, Production Supervisor Rebekah Alstede.

During the opening ceremony, guests sampled farm-fresh fare prepared by Alstede Farms.

Among the menu items were Alstede Farms' homemade Lavender Honey and Peach Cobbler ice cream, apple cider, and farm-fresh asparagus incorporated into cherry wood-smoked bacon and asparagus grilled cheese with fontina on sourdough.

In attendance at the ceremony were Jefferson Township Mayor Eric Wilsusen, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn and various other local officials. Morris County Commissioner John Krickus presented Alstede Farms with a framed recognition certificate for opening their fourth location.

With the opening of the farm store on Route 15, Alstede Farms is carrying on a tradition begun 73 years ago by the Stanlick family when they opened Lindeken Farms in 1949.

Alstede Fresh, which has improved families' quality of life for generations by providing a consistent supply of locally grown produce, previously occupied Lindeken Farms' current retail space.

"For 73 years, the Stanlicks operated Lindeken Farm Market in the current retail space. During renovations, the Alstede family took care to retain the spirit of the building while incorporating the Alstede Farms brand," Alstede said.

Alstede Farms is best known for its various fresh produce varieties, which are grown on 800 acres of preserved farmland in Morris County. The farm has the most pick-your-own fruits and vegetables in the area, including blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, peaches, apples and more.

The original retail store is located on their family farm in Chester at 1 Alstede Farms Lane. Two farm stands are open from April to November: Alstede Fresh in Mendham/Chester and Alstede Fresh in Bridgewater.

"We can’t wait to share with families the goodness of what we grow," said Alstede.