Thousands Expected at Slow Food's Third Annual Local Harvest Event in Morris Township

Slow Food Northern New Jersey will host its 3rd Annual "Local Harvest: Farms, Food & Family" from noon to 4 p.m. at The Morris County Cultural Center in Morris Township, located at 300 Mendham Road.

Vendors will include Griggstown Quail Farm, Rogowski Farm, Bobolink Dairy and Bakehouse, Genesis Farm, Valley Shepherd Creamery, Appleridge Farm Artisan Bread, Best Fruit Farm, Degage Farm, Havenwood Farm, Plaid Piper Farm and more. 

“It started because there is a demand for local food in the winter that is really unmet,” said Margaret Noon, the president of Slow Food Northern New Jersey. “It really helps farmers and local food artisans…It’s only one event, but it does help them out going through the winter.”

One event, but not a small one: Noon is expecting up to 2,000 people to attend and last year all of the vendors sold out -- some sold out in less than 2 hours. There will be all types of vendors at the event, and products will include canned goods, cheeses, breads, eggs, and meats.

“It draws attention to local food that you can’t eat year-round,” said Noon. “Someone can go there and stock up for a couple months…[there will be] really everything you could need, all locally sourced.”

There will also be opportunities to interact with the farmers and ask them just where the meats, eggs, or produce you are buying come from -- so if you’re looking for pasture raised animals or cage-free eggs, this might be the food event of the winter season for you.

“If you’re really concerned about the food and where it’s come from… all of the people at the event are willing to tell you what their practices are,” said Noon.

There is a suggested donation of $2 for everyone and all of the monies raised will go to the school garden program, which benefits five New Jersey schools, including one in Morris Township -- .

“Every penny we raise goes right back out into the community,” said Noon.

Slow Foods is encouraging people to park at  and to take the shuttle buses, which will be running every 5 minutes, to The Cultural Center. Parking at The Cultural Center will prove to be difficult -- there are only seventy spots for the thousands that should attend. According to Noon, the police plan to be out as well -- so creating your own parking spot might not be the best idea. If you’re going, take the shuttle.

More events in the area this weekend:

Where/When: Friday, Feb. 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. at .
Why Go: Because you are a 6th through 8th grade boy or girl that wants to play some sports -- basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer, or anything else that might be on the sports night agenda.
Pricing: $20 for ten weeks.

Where/When: Friday, Feb. 11 and Saturday, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. at the .
Why Go: Because this is your last weekend to catch this Tony-nominated satire that has run at the Bickford Theatre since January 20th.
Pricing: $40 for adults, $36 for seniors, $33 for museum members, and $20 for students.

Where/When: Friday, Feb. 11 at the in Morristown at 8 p.m.
Why Go: Because this performance is part of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts’ American Masterpieces series -- and they should know what’s good, right? Glover is known for his rhythmic abilities as a tap dancer with his own unique style, he has choreographed and starred in a Tony award winning musical, and he held a regular role on Sesame Street.
Pricing: Tickets range in price from $37 to $87 and are available on the Community Theatre’s website.

at The Minstrel
Where/When: From 8 to 10 p.m. at the on Friday, Feb. 11.
Why Go: Because this is one of The Folk Project’s biggest events of the year, complete with performances by their Valentine’s Day Loving Hearts Club Band and Frank Sole’s Valentine’s Love Trio.
Pricing: $7 on the way in and whatever you think the music was worth on the way out.

at the Library
Where/When: From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the on Saturday, Feb. 12.
Why Go: Do you really need a reason to eat chocolate? And besides eating it, this event for anyone 6th grade or older will also include chocolate pudding painting and chocolate contests.
Pricing: Free!

Where/When: 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12 at the in Morristown.
Why Go: Because you like musicals, you are critical of love and relationships, you love off-Broadway musicals, or all of the above.
Pricing: Tickets range from $32 to $57 and are available on the Community Theater’s website.