A Little Bit of Country Comes to Ocean City at the Farmers Market

Leo Weisenbarger, 11, and his 5-year-old sister, Audrey, popped open the food containers and dug their plastic forks into two pieces of delicious monkey bread slathered with vanilla icing.

Their mother, Katie Weisenbarger, laughed while watching her children devour the tasty treat they bought Wednesday at the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Farmers & Crafters Market.

“Oh, this is a 10,” Leo said while giving the monkey bread his highest rating.

The Weisenbargers, who are vacationing in Ocean City from their home in Dayton, Ohio, were experiencing the Farmers & Crafters Market for the very first time and liked everything they saw – and tasted.

“I really liked the first thing I saw – the pickles,” Leo said while promising to eat a few.

Katie Weisenbarger noted that it has been nine years since she last vacationed in Ocean City. The Farmers & Crafters Market was a pleasant vacation surprise for her family.

“This is amazing,” she said.

    Shoppers browse one of the vendor tents on the crafts side of the market.
  

A nearly 30-year tradition in Ocean City, the Farmers & Crafters Market opened Wednesday for the 2025 summer season and will continue each Wednesday, from 8 a.m. to noon, through Sept. 3.

The market features 160 vendors sprawled out on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle as well as one block of Asbury Avenue, between Fifth and Sixth streets, that is closed off to motor vehicle traffic and becomes an outdoor pedestrian mall.

Rose Savastano, special events coordinator for the Chamber of Commerce, pointed out that the market routinely attracts hundreds and hundreds of shoppers each Wednesday.

“We have never had a time when we didn’t have a great turnout,” Savastano said. “Not only do we have the farmers market side, but we also have the crafters side.”

Plump Jersey tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, asparagus and strawberries were among the freshly picked fruits and vegetables on sale at a booth operated by the Buzby Farm of Woodstown, N.J.

    Hundreds of shoppers arrive on the market's opening day for the 2025 summer season.
  

Ginger Buzby, who was overseeing the booth along with her sister-in-law, Anna Buzby, said Buzby Farm packed a box truck and a van with fruits and vegetables to meet the strong demand for fresh produce at the farmers market.

“It’s really inviting here. I like the beach vibe,” Ginger Buzby said of the market’s laid-back, friendly atmosphere.

Although farmers markets are a common summer treat for motorists venturing out on the rural roads of South Jersey, the one in Ocean City is literally just a few blocks from the beach.

The market has become a must-see attraction during the summer vacation season for countless Ocean City residents and tourists. Instead of making a trip to the grocery store, they can pick up fresh fruits and vegetables on their way to or from the beach or simply while out running errands.

“I come here for the fresh fruits and vegetables. The prices are better than at the supermarket,” said Annemarie Cavalcanti, of Somers Point.

    Annemarie Cavalcanti, right, and her daughter, Sara, buy some fresh Jersey tomatoes from Ginger Buzby at the Buzby Farm booth.
  

Annemarie Cavalcanti, who was joined by her daughter, Sara Cavalcanti, bought some juicy tomatoes and was also looking to pick up some cucumbers, squash, zucchini and lettuce.

The Cavalcantis are big fans of the farmers market each year. Sara Cavalcanti said the first day of the market is a strong reminder that summer has arrived at the shore.

Another major part of the market is the crafters side that lines Asbury Avenue between Fifth and Sixth streets. The street is turned into a miniature tent city featuring local vendors selling everything from handmade artwork to stylish clothes and from fine jewelry to home decor.

Christine Fish and her son, Brody, who are vacationing in Ocean City from their home in Parrottsville, Tenn., bought a painting from vendor Sand and Waves while browsing through the crafters’ tents.

Christine Fish, who had lived in Ocean City before moving to Tennessee, said she deeply appreciated the talents and work of the many local artists, crafters and farmers who are part of the market.

“I’m a huge fan of supporting local farmers and artisans,” she said of the importance for her to shop at the market.

    Christine Fish and her son, Brody, look at the painting they bought at the market.