I was out exploring the Route 46 corridor several years ago from Budd Lake to the Delaware Water Gap and I visited a series of small farm stands along the way. RH Farm at 590 US 46 was one of the standouts that I visited .
It was not just the selection of fresh produce I saw on each of my visits in both in the Spring and Fall, but it was the selection of the variety of goods there was to purchase and the way they were displayed.
There was also a nice selection of freshly baked goods, arts and crafts items and plants and flowers all beautifully displayed like a boutique.
The inside of the farm
The selection of pumpkins in the Fall
I love the way they decorate the farm for each holiday. They decorated not just the selling space but other parts of the farm as well like the grounds and the barn area.
The display of holiday crafts and pumpkins
The holiday display of pumpkins and flowers
The Halloween decorations
They have a wonderful selection of pumpkins and gourds for the Halloween and Thanksgiving season.
The pumpkin display
Even their barn which looks like it is falling down looks picturesque. The property has such a unique feel to it.
The outside grounds
Both in the Spring and the Fall, the trip to both Budd Lake and the Delaware Water Gap are a real treat. What beautiful views.
The beautiful foliage in the Fall of 2025 by Budd Lake
.
The sun blazing in the Fall of 2025
The sun simmering on the lake at Budd Lake
The foliage by the lake
The views of the surrounding community in the Fall of 2025
Visiting the farm in the Spring:
Before I left Budd Lake I stopped at RH Farm stand, a small farmstand at 500 Route 46 West. I would spend most of my day exploring various farmstands along to way to see the selection and prices of the items. For the most part, everyone was charging New York City farmers market prices for produce. Some stand were charging $6.99 a pound for peaches and $12.00 for a small pie. I guess many of these people were hoping people from Manhattan were coming out for the day. I did find some decent prices but for the most part most of the stands were pretty expensive.
The entrance of RH Farms
RH Farm Farm Stand at 500 Route 46 West
This picturesque little farm stand has been in business since 2012 (I would have thought much longer) and offers an array of produce, gourmet products and flowers. I just thought it looked really nice. The prices are a little high though. Still quality does have a price tag to it.
The entrance of RH Farm Stand
The inside of RH Farms Farm Stand
The inside of RH Farms
The beautiful flower arrangement at RH Farms
The peaches and produce at RH Farms
4th of July display in Summer of 2024
4th of July display in the Summer of 2024. Uncle Sam looks on
Christmas display in the Summer of 2024
The plant display in the Summer of 2024
Their little cat welcome me with a couple of charming rubs to my legs.
History of the Farm:
(from the farm website)
RH Farms LLC is a local family-run Farm that has been producing delicious fresh products since 2012. We strive to make the most of everything the great outdoors has to offer. Our products are fresh from the field, so you can be sure you are buying the best quality produce. Come visit us with your family for a day of fun at RH Farms LLC.
We’re dedicated to providing a traditional farm experience to everyone in The Northern New Jersey area. Our crops, flowers and home furnishings bring visitors closer to nature while providing a memorable experience. We pride ourselves on our advanced farming methods so we can protect the environment while providing the community with only the freshest food. Contact us to learn more about our goals and missions.
The front of the Marshall Farm Market at 114 US 46
Sometimes you will pass a farm stand and you see the standard pumpkins, peaches and apples outside. When you pass Marshall’s Farm Stand in Delaware, NJ, you see a whole farm experience with orchards of fruit, corn fields and a property that is decorated for the upcoming Halloween holidays.
The side of the farm stand
The other side of the farm stand stocked high with pumpkins
The festive pumpkin sat on the roof of the building
The whole front of the farm was stocked with all sorts of early Fall produce, honey, jams and jellies and delicious baked goods including pies, cakes and rolls and their specialty, their mini Apple Cider doughnuts.
The fresh Jersey produce
The cream rolls and homemade pies, including apple, berry and Shoo Fly pies
The best is their mini Apple Cider doughnut. One bag of these and you are content for the afternoon. I can barely get out of the parking lot with indulging in one or two of them before my drive down Route 46 to the Delaware Water Gap.
The farm stands addictive Apple Cider doughnuts
These sugary delights are so good!
What I also enjoy is their delicious apple cider. I found out though that they do not make it in house but a farm close by makes it both for their farm and Marshall’s. It is sweet and very refreshing and only comes in gallon containers.
I love walking through the stand, walking past the pumpkin, produce and the crafts display.
The pumpkin display in the parking lot
After I put my purchases in the car, I walked around the farm, looking at all the decorations they had for the upcoming Halloween holidays. The farm has pumpkin picking, corn mazes and a hayride where the $5.00 cost includes along with the hayride a cup of apple cider and a doughnut. I could handle that.
The sign for the weekend hayrides
The witch sign in the parking lot near the Corn Maze
The witch painting at the start of the corn mazes
Ghosts decorating the field
The Corn Maze was still tall and green and I am sure led all around the property. Each part of the front part of the farm was decorated for Halloween festivities which would happen the next weekend.
The cemetery in the back of the farm stand
A horrible ghoul
All the Halloween decorations at the start of the hayride
The Halloween decorations in the back of the building
The Halloween poems on the decorations
The Halloween decorations
What I love about the farm in the farm in the Fall are all the beautiful colors and hues of the surrounding area.
Looking down Route 46 West/East
The sign on the other side of the fields
The decorations in the front part of the parking lot
Poems and riddles were on all the panels
There is a very warm welcome for Halloween
Don’t forget to visit the Delaware Water Gap just down the highway. The colors are amazing in the early Fall.
The sign for the park
The Delaware Water Gap in the Fall
The beautiful hues of the park
Visiting Marshall’s Farm Stand in the Spring:
Marshall’s Farm Stand 114 Route 46 West in the Spring months
Marshall’s Farm Stand in the summer of 2023
Talk about a step back in time. It reminded me of places I used to go to as a kid that have since disappeared with suburban sprawl. I toured around the stands with shelves of fresh jellies and honey, sauces and salsa and arts and crafts. I found a nearly empty shelf of pies and doughnuts and not a sweet roll in site. The girl working the register told me that everything sells out so quickly and they had baked a second batch of everything.
The signs leading to Marshall’s Farm Stand in the summer of 2023
There were three pies left and that was it of the baked good when I got there.
I did grab one of the last bags of cider doughnuts for the trip home and freshly made cider that you rarely see any more. Most of it is processed in big facilities now not at farms. Their doughnuts were outstanding ($4.75 for six). All but two got home with me as I munched on them on the trip through the Delaware Water Gap.
The Apple Cider doughnuts at Marshall’s Farm Market
The Apple Cider doughnuts are amazing here!
In 2021, I bought the same items again but after a big breakfast and then lunch, I only ate two of the doughnuts this time.
Marshall’s Farm Stand in the summer of 2023
The Fresh peaches and plums at Marshall’s Farm Stand.
I had a lively conversation about the upcoming election and trust me, this woman said a mouthful as most people were right before the election. In 2021, people were talking about the recent Governor’s election and Murphy seems in the doghouse with most of these residents. I said my good byes as quickly as possible. Politics is not something to talk about when buying food products.
Marshall’s Farm on a warm sunny afternoon.
At any time of the year, visiting Marshall’s Farm Stand is a treat!
The History of the Farm:
(from the Marshall Farm Market website)
Founded in 1920, by George Amer Marshall, Marshall’s Farm Market sells quality fruit, vegetables, and specialty foods. George W. Marshall ran the farm for many years and now the third generation of Marshall’s continues the tradition. Marianne Marshall Saponaro & her husband Nick Saponaro are on site daily to make sure customers have the finest products available.
A visit to Marshall’s Farm Market is like stepping back in time. Old time values of hard work, friendliness, service, and the finest quality are what you can expect. Many people return each year to purchase produce, gifts, specialty foods, outdoor furniture, meats, cheeses, pumpkins, and more.
Families visit Marshall’s Farm Market each Fall for the hay rides and the Halloween Hollow display. There is nothing better than a cup of apple cider on a cool Autumn day. All of the seasons are special on the farm. Stop in year round to see what new items have been added to the store.
The front of Frog Hollow Bakery in the summer of 2025
I was on a historical tour of the Gandy Farmstead up the road from the Frog Hollow Bakery and one of the Board members suggested we stop for a doughnut. I was fine with that and what I discovered about Frog Hollow Bakery is their warm, freshly made doughnuts are excellent. I had a Sugar doughnut that was still warm and was out of this world. I would have ordered more but I was going to have lunch later. When I returned a few weeks later, they had just closed for the afternoon and I had wanted to get one of their butter cakes.
The grounds of the bakery on NJ 50
This tiny bakery sits on a quiet part of Route 50 near a quiet lane at the intersection of Route 50 and Tyler Road.
I thought their sign was very clever
It’s a beautiful little place in the Summer of 2025
The front of the bakery has a nice seating area in a quiet garden and you can take your purchases and eat them out here. On a warm sunny afternoon, it is a nice place to stop for a snack. When it is warm out, they have this wonderful shaded area off to the side of the bakery that you can sit and enjoy your baked treats.
The even have a small series of tables to enjoy your baked goods
The bakery has all sorts of delicious goodies to choose from with cakes, cookies and twists. I was eyeing the gooey butter cake but the bakery only accepts cash and I did not have enough to get it. For the next trip I figured.
The inside of this wonderful bakery has the most interesting collection of wonderful treats
They also carry all sorts of breads and rolls and I forgot to ask the woman if this changes on a regular basis. They have a nice selection of artwork and tee shirts for sale.
The nice selection of gifts for sale inside the bakery
They have a nice area to dine inside as well
We took our doughnuts to the Gandy Farmstead Museum up the road which I was touring that afternoon. I got to enjoy my doughnut while on the tour of the grounds. These delicious fried doughnuts have a cake like texture and were still warm when we bought them.
Their fried Sugar doughnuts are spectacular
The store was also selling different variety of tomatoes outside the bakery I figured from the farm next door.
They even sell tomatoes and strawberries when they are in season outside the store. I am sure that there is more produce on sale when it is season.
I love the clever sign in the parking lot
The bakery does have limited hours and the only bad thing is that they close at 1:00pm, so you have to hurry to get there. It is well worth the trip.
I was at the NYC Fancy Food Show in 2025 and this is one of the vendors that stood out to me. Cinnamom produces some of the most delicious baked goods I have tasted. The giant Cinnamon buns are ooey and gooey and topped with thick icings and then more toppings. They are a Cinnamon bun on over-drive and produces the best rush of sweetness. I had to go back three times to try all the samples and indulge in these delectable treats. It is a small company that is just starting their global shipping but watch out when they do. Everyone will want to sample these delicious treats.
The products being offered at the Fsncy Food Show
The regular Cinnamon bun with white icing on it was my favorite but the one with Chocolate and White icing was another. All the products I tried were wonderful and the owner and her daughter could not have been nicer. They let me try all the samples with a big smile on their faces. They seemed happy that I was so happy!
The History of Cinnamom:
(from the company website)
The Journey started 50 years ago:
When Shirley Welch came up with the ultimate recipe for a household favorite, cinnamon rolls. For holidays and special occasions, she would roll out these one-of-kind treats for family and friends to enjoy. Early on she had a little helper in the kitchen by her side, assisting with the baking process. This little helper would grow up to be the founder and owner of CinnaMom, Rebecca Nagy.
For years people would come up to Rebecca telling her she needed to start a cinnamon roll business, as hers were the best in the world. After happily retiring from her nursing career, in 2013 she finally listened to everybody’s encouragement and officially opened the first CinnaMom location in Lapeer, Michigan. Since then, the business has grown in size and popularity, both locally and nationally.
Over the last few years CinnaMom has doubled the size of its main bakery in Grand Blanc, Michigan and is featured on QVC. CinnaMom ships to anywhere in the United States and wholesales these CinnAmazing (TM) rolls to over 40 locations in the U.S. CinnaMom has been featured on ABC’s Good Morning America and The View, along with several other TV networks. What’s next?
Soon, CinnaMom will be exporting to other countries so that more customers have the opportunity to taste these delicious, ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls. CinnaMom is still on a Roll!
I went to the Fancy Food Show in New York City in 2025 and one of the standout products I sampled was from Fancypants Cookies out of Massachutes. These delightful, crunchy cookies were pleasure in every bite. They crackle and crunch and have the sweetest taste.
The representatives at the show could not have been nicer to me and let me take a few bags home to sample on my own when the show was over. I really enjoyed the Chocolate Chip Cookies but the standout from the show that I enjoyed most were the Birthday Cake cookies with the tiny sprinkles that really caught my attention.
These tiny flavorful cookies are the perfect addition to any lucky child’s lunch box including the ‘big kids’ who work in offices. I also like the engaging packaging that the company has created. It is whimsical and child friendly. This one of my favorite products at the 2025 Fancy Food Show.
My blog on the 2025 Fancy Food Show in New York City:
We’re not shy about telling you. We are proud to make our cookies with the real, recognizable ingredients our founder, Maura, used in her own kitchen. That means bonafide butter and eggs, with zero junky or artificial ingredients to ruffle your feathers. And we do it in a way that’s deliciously sustainable—baking with upcycled oat flour and turning our food waste into renewable energy.
I got to take home samples of the cookies and the Birthday cake cookies I thought were the best.
We do all of that so you can have your own feel good, fancy moment. Whether it’s at the end of a long day or even at the beginning of one, we’re here to make your day feel just a smidge more special.
Maura Duggan graduated from Harvard with a master’s degree in Mind, Brain, and Education, but day after day she kept turning to baking to shake off the stress of working in statistical analysis. Inspired by the cookies she used to eat after school in her grandmother’s kitchen, Maura focused on real ingredients, homemade taste, and creating a delicious moment.
Seeing her passion (and tasting her cookies) her husband, Justin, quit his job as an elementary school teacher to make the other half of the amazing team that drives Fancypants today. Since 2004, they’ve made cookies that make you feel downright good, with incredible taste, great ingredients, and a positive impact baked right in.
Walking the aisles on the first day of the show is a lot of travel. The main floor of the show is almost three football fields long and there are so many vendors to stop and see that I have learned to pace myself.
You can not stop and eat every cookie, cracker and piece of cheese at every booth. I try to see that the vendor is offering a unique looking product and then I stop and take notes. If I really like the products, then I will take the literature.
If I really thought the product was innovative or tasted really good then I asked for a sample on the last day and took a picture of the booth.
The Italian Pavilion was one of the most popular at the show in 2025
The show didn’t seem as busy as it was in the past. The first day of the show, I could walk down every aisle without bumping into anyone. It also seemed to be more of a college and non-industrial crowd.
They would hover around the popular booths like the pizza and ice cream booths and then chomp away at the food. Even the vendors know not to waste their time. The issues is that you never know who you are dealing with and when you may see them again in the future. So you have to be very careful not to alienate anyone at these shows because today’s college student is tomorrow’s food executive.
The Italian Pavilion was one of most visited sections of the show
As I walked the show, there were certain vendors that just stood out. I was really impressed by the innovation from the foreign pavilions especially those in the South Korean, Italian and Vietnamese Pavilions with their colorful packaging, innovative logos and wonderful tasting products. I was very impressed with what was being made abroad.
There were many smaller American food manufacturers that I thought were really innovative as well. There were all sorts of drinks, spicy snacks and baked goods that I thought had a lot of potential for a mass market audience.
So for the next three days I sampled and snacked my way through the long aisles of the show. This show didn’t have the same number of vendors as previous years, noting that I finished walking the show in three days with plenty of time for another trip down the aisles to revisit certain vendors.
Much of the lower part of the second building was used as theater space for lectures and talks which I had not seen in previous years. Still there was a lot of innovation in the show and I wanted to point out the products that I thought stood out in the three days I was at the show.
Day One:Visiting the vendors and pavilions on the first floor
The Italian Pavilion:
The Italian Pavilion this year offered so many wonderful products from pasta to sauces and spices that there was a lot to choose from. There were so many vendors selling those types of products that they got lost in the shuffle. Where the products shined and stood out was in the Snack and Beverage category.
The first interesting product I tasted was Protein chips
These crispy chips were packed with flavor and had a nice snap to them. What made them stand out to me was not just the intensity of the flavors but the creativity of the packaging. I got to sample both the Paprika and the Salt & Vinegar and loved the flavors.
These crispy chips had a nice crunchy taste and a light hint of spices and olive oil. These chips are the perfect snack with a glass of wine or to start a meal with cheeses.
Bergotto Sodas were one of the standouts in both in the Italian Pavilion and in the Fancy Food Show
The Bergotto sodas were one of the standout beverages of the show. They were packed with fruity flavors that were refreshing and I loved the packaging. The sodas were really refreshing on this extremely hot day. I think they will do very well in the American market.
These tiny breadsticks from Italy, called ‘Grissini bites, are really addictive and you can not stop crunching your way through these cheese and pizza tasting snacks. These cheesy little bites were very addictive.
The Italian Pavilion had many standout items and was one of the biggest contributors to the show this year. I loved their packaging and their representatives could not have been nicer.
The South Korean Pavilion:
South Korean Pavilion with its colorful and tasty snacks, candies and sodas. Their selection of noodle based dishes and spices again are a standard in many companies from here and abroad.
Where the South Koreans stood out was in snacks and beverages. Outside of the French, the South Koreans had some of the most unique and creative packaging at the show. The flavors of their products burst with flavors of fruits and spices. I had to take my time to taste products later on that I would see in Asian markets in Bergen County, NJ.
This delicious line of sodas had tiny gelatin pearls at the bottom of them and came in so many wonderful flavors. The drinks were so refreshing after a long day of walking around and you have to shake the bottom of the can to get the pearls out and it is worth it.
The milk sodas Latte Pop were surprisingly sweet and refreshing and did not taste like a milk based product. They tasted like a fizzy version of Strawberry or Banana milk.
These interesting snack chips called “New Fish Pop” had an intense and interesting flavor. I found out that these are made with Alaskan Pollack and had no flour in them. The Honey Butter and the Chili flavors were delicious and I thought a pretty original product.
The Lemon curd ice cream from Bold Spoon really stood out amongst the ice cream I sampled that first day. The fresh ingredients and the creamy consistency stood out amongst the vendors trying to recreate the same flavors
These delicious flavors were dense and creamy and were the best ice creams that I tasted in the show. What stood out to me was that you could really taste the lemon and cream in every bite.
The Women’s Owned Companies Pavilion:
There were many ‘women owned and run’ businesses being showcased at the show. One of the products in the Women’s Owned set of booths on the lower level was the ‘Cinnamom’, cinnamon bun products. These sweet, chewy and decadent desserts were the brainchild of the mother/daughter team who own the company. It was the owners grandmother who had come up with the recipe for these sweet and rich desserts.
The ‘Cinnamom’ baked products were some of the best new items at the show that tasted
My favorites were the buttery regular cinnamon rolls and the ones topped with a thick butter cream icing. I had to go back all three days at the show just to try each of their flavors. These rich desserts deserved a lot of attention.
The pretzel snacks from OMG were Oh My God! These tasty little pretzel bites are excellent. They are crisp and crunchy and full of flavor. The two that stood out to me were the Salty Butterscotch and the Buffalo flavors and I enjoyed crunching on them.
The first day of the show was a trial of sampling and tasting and as usual I did not pace myself the way I should have. Too many flavors and consistencies plus add in the bad humidity outside for all three days for the show made me stuffed and tired but in a good way.
Five Boro Block Party on the first day of the show:
After the first day of the show, the Specialty Food Association sponsored the Five Boro Block Party again with free food trucks and costumed characters walking around. It was so hot and humid the first two days of the show, I did not know how people were walking around with jacket and tie let alone in costume. The woman who was our Statue of Liberty character lasted about twenty minutes in her costume before she had to go back inside.
The sign for the Five Boro Block Party outside the Javis Center after the first day of the show
All the vendors, merchants, industry people and buyers at the Five Boro Block Party
The actor who played the Statue of Liberty lasted about a half hour out in this heat in that costume
Still she had a lot of fun entertaining everyone on stilts
They had a nice assortment of food trucks to choose from and the food was really good but I was not hungry. I had covered the whole first floor and part of the second floor that morning and afternoon. While the traffic was a little lighter than it had been in the last two years, it took a lot of time to try and sample some of the newer vendors and I had completely lost my appetite. The site of food was not very appealing but I still wanted to see what the trucks were offering. Thank God it was just light bites.
Food Truck Catering Company made a Chicken Adobo that looked interesting until I realized it was thigh meat.
I was not a big fan of chicken thighs but the spices on this dish were fantastic
The Glazed and Confused Food Truck had the best doughnuts
The Fried Powered Doughnuts were delicious
I only lasted at the block party for about a half hour before I went home. The heat was so unbearable and so many of the exhibitors were in jacket or jacket and tie in that heat, I was not sure how they lasted.
I was full and exhausted and just wanted to get home and go through my notes from the first day, plus I had class the next morning and then had to run back in for the second day of the show so it was would a busy next two days. I just wanted to relax after all that walking and sampling. I took some good notes and found some excellent vendors who had wonderful product.
The Second Day of the Show:
The second day of the show I got there late after my morning class and was able to cover the whole lower level of the show.
Cork’s Gourmet Popcorn was one of the best popcorns that I tasted at the show. Not only was the popcorn well spiced and flavored. The Sweet Thai Chili and the Buffalo Ranch were two interesting flavors. The company uses a type of popcorn that is really fluffy and you do not see small kernals.
The Soup Dumplings at the Nom Wah booth I waited around for several times during the show and it was well worth the wait. These juicy and succulent dumplings were one of the best items I tasted at the show and made me want to go down to the restaurant ( but alas they STILL do not accept a Visa or Mastercard). The quality of these dumplings are excellent and the company has very high standards.
I sampled several of the soups from PGI Foods and I could not tell the difference between these and homemade soups. The quality and taste were amazing. The woman who worked the booth encouraged me to ‘try them all’. The New England Clam Chowder was rich and creamy with lots of clams in them. The Broccoli Cheddar Soup had a rich and sharp flavor and the Lobster Bisque was so well spiced. A definite winner for any restaurant not wanting to make them from scratch.
The Krispy Calamari snack was one of the best snacks that I tasted at the show and was one of the most unusual. These chewy and highly flavored snacks I thought was one of the best cross-over snacks I had seen at the show. It is easy to devour the Original and Spicy Cajun and I had to visit the booth more than once to ‘try them’.
Another favorite snack of mine from the South Korean Pavilion (I am telling you they had the most flavorful snacks at the show). These crispy little circles of rice flour and honey mixed with some spicy flavors made the perfect snack. These highly addictive snacks had such a sweet and savory taste to them. The people working the booth saw that I liked them so much they gave me several bags to take home and sample. I loved these snacks!
I took the samples home and tried them on my own and I think they have huge potential
I loved this product that was more of cheese on stick then a traditional corn dog. These pops had a crispy coated that was mixed with different spices. These were being fried constantly as everyone wanted to sample them. I loved the stringy consistency and the delightful flavors they had.
The Pollack Flavored Chips from Lotte Foods
I kept going back to the South Korean Pavilion to try more of their sweet and savory snacks. These were O-ING, which were Pollack flavored fish snacks. These highly spiced snacks were a big hit with me and I am not a big fish lover. These spicy snacks are the perfect item when you want a quick snack with a soda or general snacking. The people at the booth gave me a couple of different flavors to take home and try.
These were light and spicy and had a nice crunch to them
I had sampled many different types of cookies through the show that soft, hard and some all natural. I found that cookies or any baked product that does not have flour, sugar, butter and eggs just have not flavor or consistency to them.
The cookies from Fancy Pants Cookies really stood out as a crispy, crunchy product sweet product that would be popular at any age. I love their packaging as well.
The Fancy Pants cookies were small, crisp cookies that had a nice crunch to them. The cookies have such a nice taste to them. These tiny cookies are packed with flavor and have a nice bite to them. I was happy trying each flavor that they gave me a few bags to sample at home. The Birthday Cake flavor is hands down the best flavor.
The sample I brought home with me were the Birthday Cake flavor
Of the American beverage companies that I tried at the show, Harney & Sons Tea is a fan favorite of mine since I went to a sampling at the Cornell Club years ago (the owner is a Cornell Alumnus-Go Red!). I love these infused all natural teas.
The were closing down for the evening and they gave me a few bottles to take home. I was not too keen on the Rose flavored but the original and Orange Mango flavored were delicious. I have always loved their products when I visit the upscale bakeries and cafes in Manhattan.
Last Day of the Show:
On my last day of the show, I got in late because of early morning classes and wanted to collect samples so that I could try things at home. By 2:30pm, vendors were literally throwing samples in my canvas bag like I was going trick or treating. No one wants to take these home with them or back to the office. I really appreciated the samples that the vendors gave because it gave me the opportunity to taste and nibble on things on my own time.
These are some of the products that I highly recommend:
The Real Veggie Brussel sprouts from Woodridge Snacks were delicious when I sampled them
I am not a big fan of Brussel Sprouts but my mind and opinion on them was changed when the representative from Woodridge Snacks gave me a few bags of his product to try at home. I had been impressed by the flavors. These crunchy little snacks are different from others that I had tried at the show. These were made a real whole Brussel sprout leaves and a cheesy spicy flavoring to them. I was surprised and delighted by them.
These savory little snacks have such flavor packed into these crunchy treats
Another series of snacks I tried on my own were the brown rice puff snacks from Morihaku Confectioney LTD. These crunchy puffs were a nice alternative to the other puffy snacks that I have tried in the past. I got to try the three flavors Mild Curry, Grilled Corn and Yuzu Salt Koji when I got home.
The Brown Rice Puffs by Morihaku Confectioney LTD. from the Japan Pavilion
These potato chips were wonderful. The representative from the company at the show gave me a big bag of the Somerset Cheddar and Shallot flavors. These were crisp, savory and packed with flavor. These thick kettle chips are what the English would call ‘crisps’. That gave them their crisp bit.
Another popcorn that I always enjoy sampling at the show and have some of the most mellow representatives are Fisher’s Popcorn, a beach favorite. They have shops near my mother’s house in Delaware and I love their fresh popcorn. I always have to nudge them for samples after the show and they are always happy to oblige because I love their product so much.
The Fisher’s Popcorn with Caramel and Old Bay Seasoning are excellent
Hands down, their Caramel Old Bay seasoning popcorn is the best flavor. Sweet and savory with every bite and has the best taste to it. You will go through several handfuls with one of the bigger bags.
Heart Beats from the Peek Freens Company are these sweet little Elephant ears
These tiny little sweet and crisp cookie were like eating tiny Elephant Ear pastries. Their sugary top was caramelized and I crunched my way through the whole bag. This is the perfect snack for kids for their lunch boxes. Delightful and sweet!
The last product that I took home with me was the Rotten brand of candies. This sweet and puckery candies had the best packaging and display at the show. I thought these would be
Rotten Candy Gummies and Worms had some of the most unique packaging
Not only did I love the packing and display of this product but the taste was great. Sweet and tart with every bite and my favorite one were the Sour Gummy Cruncheez. These candy coated with sprinkles jellies have a double sweetness to them and a crunchy exterior that is colorful and fun. These are the perfect candy to market to museums like the Children’s Museum of New York and the American Museum of Natural History. Any place that kids could get their hand on them.
The sprinkler coated gummies have a nice sweet and sour pucker flavor to them
I loved these puckery little candies and I loved the creative packaging.
The worms had a same sweet consistency
These are pictures of some of the food items that I sampled at the show.
Sampling a Shrimp sandwich in the Japanese Pavilion
The savory Chinese pie with ground pork and a type of non-dairy cheese
I thought it was a very successful food show with wonderful items, a lot of creative new vendors and a lot of trusted old ones with quality products and innovative packaging. There are many items that I think will do well in the American market and I don’t think many of the foreign vendors should underestimate the American customer and what they will eat.
There is a lot that I hope to see on the shelves in the next year!
The front of La Sandwicherie Chelsea at 239 West 15th Street
When I was walking the Lower Chelsea neighborhood streets, I passed the signs for La Sandwicherie Chelsea, a tiny little French Cafe concept in the more residential part of West 15th Street. Although I had already eaten at another restaurant for lunch, I wanted a little snack to tide me over as I finished walking and exploring the neighborhood. I saw the sign for the Crepes at $6.00 and I stopped to look at the menu.
While I was inside, the manager showed me the fresh crepe batter he used to make the crepes and how each is made to order. That made it even more tempting. I really liked the list of sandwiches that they had on the menu. The problem is that in New York the price of said sandwich is double of what it would be in Paris under the ‘formula system’. The ‘formula system’ in Paris is that a Boulanger (a type of sandwich shop) consists of a sandwich, drink and a dessert for a reasonable price as $10 euros about $11.00 in US dollars which is much more reasonable.
The inside of this cute little French cafe in the middle of Lower Chelsea
The ambiance matches the wonderful food the you will dine on here. When I was finishing my tour of walking around Lower Chelsea and found that I needed something to snack on before I finished for the evening, I headed back to the restaurant and all I could think about were the wonderful meals I had in Paris two summer ago.
The crepe menu
The sandwich menu
When I had seen the sign for the crepe, I had my heart set on one. So about an hour before they closed, I stopped in and had a crepe to finish the day. I swear, I have not enjoyed more than that crepe in the late afternoon to finish the day. I ended up getting one with sugar and filled with strawberry jelly. I also ordered a San Pellegrino with Orange and Pomegranate to drink with it.
The crepes are made right in front of you and on a cool day
The crepe was delicious
The food and service is excellent and the service so personable and the manager speaks fluent French so it adds to the ambiance. It is so interesting when the French tourists find this place and are so happy the staff speaks fluent French.
I was so impressed by the crepe and wanting to try the Ham and Butter sandwich on the baguette, I went back for lunch when I was finishing walking the Meatpacking District. I swear I am transported back to Paris when I enter the restaurant with all the French grocery items and the French music.
The panel right by the front door
I ordered my sandwich at the counter and enjoyed my Italian Orange soda while I was waiting for the sandwich to come to the table.
My Ham and French Buerre sandwich with a San Pellegino Orange soda
The sandwich was served on a chewy baguette with thick slices of French jambon (ham) and sweet beurre (butter). I loved the little French flag on the sandwich. I thought it was a nice touch.
The sandwich was so flavorful and brought me back to the lunches I had all over Paris at the Boulanger with their sandwiches and pastries piled high in the cases and the formula lunches.
The sandwich was picture perfect
And loaded with ingredients
Yum!
The manager could tell I was enjoying my lunch and we talked for a bit in English and French. He was telling about the cost of importing foods into the US from France and the prices he had to charge. I thought for the quality and the taste, it was worth the $11.99.
Before I left, the manager offered me a complimentary Ice Tea that they made homemade at the store. What made the tea so good was that it was infused with fresh lemons and mint. You could really taste the fresh mint.
The fresh Ice Tea at La Sandwicherie
I said my goodbyes in English and French and walked down West 15th Street back from trip to Paris via New York City.
I happily drank the Icd Tea on a hot day walking around New York City
La Sandwicherie Chelsea is part of a small chain of three locations in New York City, the others being on the Upper East Side and the other being in Brooklyn. Yet on this tree lined residential street in Lower Chelsea, you are brought back to the tiny neighborhood places in Paris, where quality and service still mean something.
The French grocery products
I plan on many trips back to the restaurant to try the other sandwiches and soups.
While I was writing my blogs on the beach towns of Point Pleasant and Point Pleasant Beach and Seaside Heights and Seaside Park, I drove through the town of Bay Head enough times as I criss-crossed the popular and heavily visited beach towns. When I stopped and actually walked around their historic downtown, I discovered a town not just rich in history but beauty as well.
Bay Head is a small town of less than a thousand people and the town is surrounded by Point Pleasant on most sides of the town. The town is also surrounded by water with the ocean and the bay and inlets.
What started as a resort town for people from the City to travel to by train for the summer months has morphed into an upscale community of clapboard beach homes, a picturesque shoreline and a wonderful little downtown. During the warmer months just walking around you can see the sheer beauty of the town.
The view of the Inlet from the dock
It is not difficult to walk the town and its quirky downtown area filled with interesting stores and restaurants. One of my favorite places to go is Mueller’s Bakery at 80 Bridge Avenue. Everything I have ever ordered here was excellent.
Some of the creative products in the cases. I loved this hamburger cake
It was hard for me to make a decision when I come to Mueller’s but on the recommendation of the young girl behind the counter I ordered the Apricot Pocket and the Apple Turnover when I could not decide between the two. So I just had them both and they were both excellent!
I settled on a Apricot Pocket
It was outstanding!
I also got one of their Apple Turnovers
The Apple Turnovers here are fantastic! Filled with fresh fruit and surrounded by sugary flaky pastry
I ate all of this while looking at the beautiful views of the inlets and canals that make up the waterways of Bay Head.
The bay at Bay Head on a sunny Spring day
After my snack one of the places I wanted to visit was the Bay Head Historical Society at 1643 Bay Avenue, which is actually in Point Pleasant just on the border.
The Bay Head Historical Society at 1643 Bay Avenue
The historical plaque of the original Loveland Homestead
The museum is small but has a unique collection of objects from toys to historical furnishings to Native American objects. It tells the story of the areas progression from Native American fishing grounds and summer month community to the farming communities these areas became to the modern resort towns they developed into today.
The Native American artifacts in the museum
A handmade dollhouse from a local resident
The collection of vintage furniture
The museum was having an exhibition “Maps” and it was interesting to see how the country created its borders.
The Lord’s signage on the agreement of East and West Jersey
During the summer months, the Slade Dale Cottage building is open for touring. This was donated to the museum and contains a very extensive nautical collection.
The Slade Dale Cottage on the grounds of the Historical Society
The historic plaque for the Slade Dale Cottage
The nautical exhibits at the museum
The Boating exhibit
The Boating display
After the tour of the Slade Dale Cottage, I walked around the Society’s gardens and grounds. The property is beautifully maintained and the gardens were in full bloom.
The grounds in the Spring of 2024
The gardens at the Historical Society in bloom
After enjoying my snack by the bay and my tour of the Historical Society, I decided to walk through the other side of downtown and walk to the beach. I went to the top of the stairs and admired the breathtaking views of the ocean. The waters matched the beautiful blue of the skies.
The beauty of the beach in Bay Head
It was a nice relaxing afternoon just walking around the downtown and window shopping in the stores. There is also a nice selection of restaurants to visit in the future.
While I walked around town before I left for the day and passed the beautiful and historic Grenville Hotel, which was bustling on a warm day. It was after lunch so people were lingering around and enjoying the view. I thought that lunch on the patio might be nice in the future.
It was an enjoyable afternoon and I would have to come back later in the summer.
Bay Head at Christmas time:
After a very long semester both in Graduate School and at the College, I finally traveled back to the Jersey shore on a very gloomy afternoon. I was exploring Point Pleasant and then traveled back to Bay Head. The town was so nicely decorated for the holidays. It was a quiet afternoon and it got very misty outside so I decided to stop at Mueller’s Bakery again for a snack and visit the Historical Society again.
Downtown Bay Head on a gloomy day at Christmas time
The bridge on the Inlet decorated for the holidays
Santa greets everyone outside the firehouse at the holidays. This is such a nice way to celebrate the holidays.
I walked around the downtown to admire the Christmas decorations. The town keeps it simple and elegant and the homeowners did a nice job decorating their homes. Then I went to the historical Society that was open that afternoon.
The Bay Head Historical Society museum decorated at Christmas time
The Bay Head Historical Society Museum explored a “Victorian Christmas” in 2024 and the museum was decorated with period holiday decorations, antique ornaments on their Christmas tree and vintage toys and games to admire as well as the museum was decorated for the holidays.
The display of vintage artifacts
Garland and decorations on the piano
The museum’s Christmas Tree with antique ornaments
I even stopped back at Mueller’s Bakery and an a Glazed Cruller. You should have seen the selection of holiday treats in the cases.
I ate this delicious treat inside the bakery at one of the tables and got to enjoy the holiday atmosphere.
I find Bay Head to be a relaxing alternative to Point Pleasant and Seaside Heights. There you ride the rides and eat fun foods on the Boardwalks. Here you just relax with the sounds of the waves, admire the beautiful homes with their colorful floral landscaping and just be in the moment.
mywalkinmanhattan 