By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
VENTNOR – Can you believe it’s been 10 years since Andy and Penny Starer got a great idea and put some muscle behind creating the highly successful Ventnor City Farmers Market?
Market Managers Maria Gatta of the Red Room and Karen Warner have invited city officials to hold a special ribbon cutting ceremony 8:20 a.m. Friday, May 22 to open the seasonal market and celebrate its 10th anniversary.
Although the Starers have moved away, Gatta continues to volunteer her time as a market manager like she has since 2016 to ensure the market thrives.
In year one, the market and its 14 faithful volunteers hosted 26 vendors in the parking lot at St. James Church on Atlantic and Newport avenues.
This year, the market boasts more than 80 vendors (10 of them new this year), seven non-profits, all supported by 40 volunteers from the community. Among them are the Old Coots who dispense advice to those who need it. The motto of the group of senior citizens dispensing advice rings true: “It may not be the best advice, but it’s free!”
Eleven of the original vendors have stayed on since 2016, including Busy Bees, S&S Sports, Gogi, Tony’s Farm Table, Viking Seafood, Monteleone Farms, Good Boy Biscuits and Bones, Spinella Farm, RSK Donuts, Bianca Del Mare and Red Room.
“We’re especially happy to recognized the 11 vendors who have been with the market since the beginning,” Gatta said. “Be sure to look for the special signs honoring them.”
Gatta gave a shout out to loyal supporters, including Holy Trinity Parish, which allows the use of their parking lot every Friday morning between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, along with the city’s Department of Public Works, Polic Department and Fire Department, “who all work together to make the market a huge success.”
Warner thanked their loyal volunteers, including former Ventnor First Lady Kathy Styles-Landgraf, who is there bright and early to direct vendors to their locations, and Kelly Corruolo, who directs social media.
“Our volunteers at the Welcome Booth greet everyone with happy smiles and free gifts for kids. Our Old Coots solve the problems of the universe,” she said.
The first 100 shoppers who show up at 8:30 a.m. on Friday will receive a free gift. Vounteer Rob Reed of Ventnor Vibe has also designed a new logo for the 10th anniversary year, which will be emblazoned on canvas bags and other merch available for purchase.
The market is also planning several contests during the season using fresh market produce, such as the famous salsa contest.
IF YOU GO:
Ventnor City Farmers Market
8:30-noon, Fridays, May 22-Sept. 4
St. James Church, 6421 Atlantic Ave.
Learn more at https://www.vcfm.org/
Parking is available in the Municipal Lot on Newport Avenue and along the beach block of Newport Avenue. Use ParkMobile app to pay $1 per hour.
Copyright N.Lo Communication, LLC 2026
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