By Sharon Merkel Prudhomme ~
Locals cruising up and down Allaire Road cutting over to the 34 circle pass the colorful old farm market with classic homey wooden signs touting eggs, pies & produce. Established in 1978 as Smith’s Farm Market, Inc. Wall Township is owned by Joseph P. Smith. Joe’s mom and dad began by purchasing the roadside stand back in 1969. Back in the day, Joe’s dad and uncle did farm 12 acres as well as a parcel of leased land to supply their produce stand. The Allaire Rd. Market is pen 8 months a year from April thru’ December. Surrounding lands in Wall have been developed and the farm isn’t used for growing produce, but the Smith’s use a wide variety of farms throughout New Jersey depending upon availability.
The farm fresh eggs are from the Puglisi Egg Farm in neighboring Howell Township. As a side note, the Puglisi family has owned and operated their egg producing business since 1937 and now modernized producing over 750,000 eggs PER WEEK! So nice to know they’ve not been shipped in trucks from afar, fresh IS best! Smith’s prides themselves in using locally sourced products as much as possible depending upon seasons and availability. Some items from out-of-state, such as the great sweet Florida corn available now, will wane as NJ corn kicks in.
New Jersey is known for its’ great blueberries which, along with raspberries and blackberries are brought in from South Jersey. These are usually available by mid-July. You can’t beat Jersey tomatoes and until they’re ready on the vine the Smiths have brought in Dooley Farm hydroponic greenhouse ‘maters. The assorted tomatoes are beautiful and so shiny I joked with the friendly “marketeer” who tends at both locations saying she must’ve been polishing all morning!
The Allaire Market has a new offspring! Recently, Smiths opened their indoor market Smith’s II at 3rd Ave., Spring Lake, next door to Chase bank. I’ve been getting fine and tasty zucchini and yellow squash for a couple of weeks now as well as some great firm eggplant. An assortment of bell peppers are in and really brighten up the colorful displays. Folks who have gotten the sweet Florida corn say it is the best and are heading back for more. If thirsty, grab a beverage from the cooler for the ride home. Some more assorted ready mades to go can be found here too.
At both locations one will find a wide variety of YUM factors! Golden honey by the jar as well as “Honey Straws” will sweeten up your taste buds. An assortment of tasty jellies fill a table next to the honey selection along with cans of tomato products. One can’t resist taking home one of the delicious homemade pies which are available in 3 sizes-large family, small and single serve mini tarts. Large family sized Apple, Peach, Blueberry, Strawberry and Rhubarb pies are on display under glass compotes as well as other yummy looking cookies and bakery delights. Incredible grainy breads sit on a rack which the market gal advises us to get in early for our favorite (or soon to be favorite) as they don’t sit for long. Made without preservatives, from Hudson Bread in Jersey City. These loaves are top-notch and fly out the door usually before the afternoon.
The hours will likely be subject to change once summer kicks in*. Open April – December
2810 Allaire Rd., Wall Township, NJ 07719 – 9am – 6pm (7 days) 1308 3rd Ave. Spring Lake, NJ – 9am – 5pm 7 days
(732)449-1928 www.smithsfarmmarketnj.com **give them a LIKE on FB**