Winter Slow Food Market at Tre Piani

On Sunday, February 28, FunniBonz participated in the Slow Food of Central Jersey indoor Farmer's Market.  The event took place on the top two floors of the gorgeous Tre Piani Restaurant at Princeton's Forrestal Village Shopping mecca.  Live music from John Henry Goldman and his Straight Jazz Ensemble permeated the entire restaurant as local and sustainable vendors sampled their wares to passers-by. 

The Hopewell Valley Vineyards, from Pennington, NJ were a favorite of ours, namely due to the Pinot Grigio that they make.  Proceeds from sales of this wine are dedicated to Autism Research which is a cause that is very near and dear to our hearts.

Hopewell Valley's 2008 Pinot Grigio supports Autism Research

We also met Nicole and Jeff from Simply Nic's Specialty Foods.  They handmake wonderfully unusual and daringly original shortbread bars which include flavors such as Rosemary, Lavender and Cardamom-Candied Ginger.  With their delicate artisian flavors, these aren't cookies you'll want to share with the kiddies.  These are "curl up with a hot cup of tea and a good book" cookies. 

Look for this heart-shaped logo on packages in local places around Central Jersey including Princeton's Whole Earth Center and Lawrenceville's Cherry Grove Farm.   You can also purchase them online.

 

Nicole Wilkins Bergman and Jeff Bergman of Simply Nic's with Jo Barbour of FunniBonz.

To learn more, check out this great article about Nicole and her endeavor with other working moms in this U.S.1 article about Cooperative Kitchen.

We made another friend in Catherine Perry of Catherine's Vegan Sweets.  If the word "vegan" sounds scary to you, my fellow barbeque sauce lovers, don't be afraid.  Catherine's dairy-free sweets will make a believer out of you.   

Vegan Baker Catherine Perry with Jo Barbour of FunniBonz

Don't let the fact that she doesn't use and milk, butter or eggs in her baking fool you... or rather, DO let them fool you.  Because her confections are DELICIOUS!!  You will never miss a thing while you snack on a pumpkin spice cupcake or cranberry oatmeal nut whoopie pie. 

Catherine makes her confections to order so shoot on over to her website, call her at (609) 977-7329 or send her an email to talk about all of the possibilities of "quality" vegan baking!

We made a few other friends, too including Ian MacDonald of Cherry Grove Farm and some great folks from Valley Shepherd Creamery based in Long Valley, Morris County, NJ.   Both farms offer wonderful, farm fresh cheeses to please any palate.

And of course, Terhune Orchards topped their famous apple cider and donuts with mouthwateringly fresh guacamole and salsa.  Yum!

Jo and Jim spent the day sampling the sauces, including our new Sweet and Tangy Mustard sauce scheduled to launch this month.  Customers seemed to really like it and we are really excited about the upcoming new release.

All in all it was a great afternoon.  If you missed it, never fear.  Look for us, and many of these vendors, at the West Windsor Farmer's Market beginning in May.  Hope to see you there.