Volunteers of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center manned the charity booth at the Margate Community Farmers Market June 20.
MARGATE In addition to purchasing Jersey Fresh produce, flowers and unique, hand-crafted food offerings, shoppers who attend the Margate Community Farmers Market held 8:30 a.m. to noon Thursday mornings in the parking lot at Steve & Cookies By the Bay, Amherst and Monroe avenues, can learn about the good works of area non-profit organizations.
True to form, restaurant owner Cookie Till, whose staff runs the weekly summertime market, made sure the philanthropic efforts of local charities do not go unnoticed. The market features two non-profits most weeks, providing them with an area to educate the public and raise funds for their organizations.
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey Southern Branch, one of Till's premier philanthropic efforts, has a permanent spot at the rear of the parking lot.
On July 11, Children Making Change will be sharing their latest efforts to raise money and volunteer as active participants in the community. The children will share the tent with the Humane Society of Ocean City, which has provided lovable pets to area residents. The Humane Society is also the beneficiary of Till's dog show, which is held on the Sunday of Funfest by the Bay in September.
On July 25, visitors to the market can learn about the JFS House Tour and Atlantic County Special Services District.
Aug. 1 welcomes Gilda's Club, which provides support for families dealing with cancer, and CASA, an organization the trains volunteers to be advocates for children in the foster care system.
Aug. 8 has been reserved for the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, which rescues and rehabilitates injured or sick marine mammals. Local artist Jon Baker, who also tends bar in the Oyster Bar, will be offering his veggie art for sale.
AtlantiCare will be doing face painting on Aug. 22 alongside the Atlantic City Boys & Girls Club.
In an effort to reduce plastic waste that can harm marine life, each week a local business will provide free reusable bags for shoppers.
Two highlights of the summertime market are the annual Peach Pie contest on July 18 and Rediscovering the Tomato/Rate the Tomato on Aug. 15, during the height of the Jersey Fresh tomato growing season.
Hallee and Sage Adelman show the blue ribbon they won in last year's Peach Pie contest.
The seventh annual Peach Pie contest will enlist local chefs to taste-test homemade peach pies and cobblers submitted by amateur bakers. The first, second and third place winners will receive gift certificates to Steve & Cookies and the first-place winner will automatically be eligible to enter the statewide competition.
You can register for the contest at http://www.steveandcookies.com/peach
