Vote for 2019 Local Heroes

BEVERAGE ARTISAN

Asbury Park Distilling
Asbury Park
apdistilling.com/

Asbury Park Distilling is committed to producing high quality unique spirits that give customers a taste of N.J. Our tasting room features meticulously crafted cocktails in a beautiful setting which are sure to please even the most discerning of drinkers.

BEVERAGE ARTISAN

Czig Meister Brewery
Hackettstown
czigmeisterbrewing.com

The Czigler family's passion for beer and the brewing process started when Matthew Czigler began to home brew as a hobby. Family and friends would always look forward to Matt bringing a variety of delicious beers to every get together. After all the positive feedback, Matt decided to have a career change that the whole family supported. The commitment to excellence in brewing is forged by our motto "Master Your Craft". The year round and seasonal beers are brewed to traditional old world classic standards. The theme of our brewery is old world crafts. The year round beers are named after these old world crafts.

BEVERAGE ARTISAN

Hawk Haven Winery
Rio Grande
hawkhavenvineyard.com/

Whether you add ice to your glass or swirl before you sip, Hawk Haven is open daily to all wine lovers young and old, new and knowledgeable. Proprietors Todd and Kenna Wuerker have created a fun, laid back atmosphere where guests enjoy locally made, hand-crafted wines, live music events, and tasty artisan fare.

BEVERAGE ARTISAN

Ironbound Hard Cider
Asbury
ironboundhardcider.com

Ironbound Hard Cider produces high-quality, affordable ciders, with the goal of revitalizing Greater Newark by providing well-paying, meaningful jobs for the city’s chronically underemployed residents— including ex-offenders and other underserved members of the community. Those jobs include the cultivation of cider apples at Ironbound Farm where our Newark-based crew has planted thousands of heritage Newark cider apples.

BEVERAGE ARTISAN

Mount Salem Vineyards
Pittstown
mountsalemvineyards.com

Since they began planting in 2005, Mount Salem wines are grown sustainably and vinified classically from select European vines with a focus on Austrian and Northern Italian varieties produced in very limited quantities. At 700 feet above sea level, the vineyard’s soil is deep, well-drained and studded with deposits of glacial gravel, which all contribute to the wines’ distinctive terroir.

BEVERAGE ARTISAN

Nauti Spirits
Cape May
nautispirits.com

What happens when a guy with a fascination with distilleries and two farmers with a passion for science and chemistry meet on a 60 acre preserved farm? Nauti Spirits is born.

FARM / FARMER

Beach Plum Farm
Andrew Halbruner
Cape May
beachplumfarmcapemay.com

Beach Plum Farm is comprised of 62-acres in West Cape May and is the vision of Curtis Bashaw, who dreamed of having a place to source local produce and meat for his restaurants, located less than 2 miles away. Nearly a decade later, a small team now makes that dream a reality by growing more than 100 different kinds of produce and raising prized Berkshire pigs, chickens, turkeys and ducks.

FARM / FARMER

Cherry Grove Organic Farm
Matt Conver
Lawrenceville
cherrygroveorganic.com

Cherry Grove Organic Farm is located three miles south of Princeton, NJ. Since 2002 we have been dedicated to growing a wide variety of fresh, organic produce while implementing sound, economically viable farming practices.

FARM / FARMER

Dogwood Farm
Jon and Kim Knox
Hillsborough Township
dogwoodfarmsnj.com

Dogwood Farms is a USDA certified organic farm owned and operated by Jon & Kim Knox.  As a Jersey native, Jon knew the Garden State would be a perfect place for a farm offering fresh produce and meats to his community. Everything on the farm is grown and raised sustainably in Hillsborough.

FARM / FARMER

Fernbrook Farm
Jeff Tober
Chesterfield
fernbrookeducation.org

Fernbrook Farms is a multifaceted 230- acre preserved farmland that will forever be a place for friends and families to come together, learn, laugh, and create stories. The farm’s CSA is dedicated to connecting families to the sources of their food by making delicious, healthy, chemical-free food accessible to all.

FARM / FARMER

Jah’s Creation
Matthew Bruckler III
Egg Harbor Township
jahscreation.com

Freshly Grown, USDA Organic Produce, Direct from the Source - "We bring the Farm to your Door” . When it comes to Organics, nobody does it better... Naturally!

FARM / FARMER

Jeff’s Organic Produce (formerly ER & Son Organic Farm)
Jeff Lidzbarski
Upper Freehold

Jeff's Organic Produce proudly raises certified organic produce in New Jersey. They work hard to bring the freshest, superior-quality vegetables and melons to local farmers market and NJ consumers each day.

FOOD ARTISAN

The Artist Baker
Morristown
theartistbaker.com

The Artist Baker strives to promote true artistry in kitchens and the importance of physical labor. There are people making things there!

FOOD ARTISAN

Burbelmaiers
Ocean Grove
burbelmaiers.com

Bürbelmaiers is an “everything-from-scratch” savoury pie shop at the Jersey shore. They make meat, vegetarian, gluten-free and sweet pies in a wide variety of global flavors. You’ll also find traditional sides, original soups, and delectable scones.

FOOD ARTISAN

Market Pizza
Stockton
marketpizzamenu.com

With the philosophy that food has always brought people together, whether at the family dining table or with new friends at a pizza bar, Market Pizza’s Megan Jones-Holt feels fortunate to be able to grow her own food and use her art of pizza creations to help others have the same opportunities. Over the years, she has helped keep local food pantries stocked through her Rotary Club’s Hunger for Hunterdon Campaign fundraisers, including the annual Soup Cook-off, and her pizza fundraisers for Hunters Helping the Hungry which have helped raise over 15,000 meals.

FOOD ARTISAN

Muirhead Foods
Trenton
muirheadfoods.com

Muirhead Foods was started in a farmhouse in 1974 by Doris and Ed Simpson as a fine dining restaurant before there were many dining options in the Garden State. Now producing a full special food line of fruit butters, chutneys, vinaigrettes, mustards and more, Muirhead is run by Doris and Ed’s daughter Barbara who moved the business to Trenton in 2016 into a revitalized 1950s era industrial building, put out a big awning, and made a commitment to that urban community.

FOOD ARTISAN

Windy Brow Farm Ice Cream
Newton
windybrowfarms.com

Windy Brow Creamery owner Jake Hunt looks to his family’s over 300 year history in New Jersey for inspiration when whipping up ice cream flavors that inspire, but also incite, as was the case when his “Taylor Ham (pork roll) + French Toast” ice cream re-ignited the age old "processed pork log" fight throughout the state. The flavor’s overnight viral success in 2018 spawned the creation of the “Only in Jersey” Ice Cream Collection which Windy Brow hopes will motivate consumers to support hyper local business by bringing together the flavors, produce, and products that define New Jersey and the Garden State.

FOOD SHOP

Dean’s Natural Food Market
deansnaturalfoodmarket.com

Dean’s Natural Food Market is committed to supporting the local community, including local makers and growers. That’s why we fill our aisles with as many local products as possible–from hyper-local items made just up the road to products produced by our neighbors in Pennsylvania and New York.

FOOD SHOP

Delicious Orchards
Colts Neck
deliciousorchardsnj.com

Our 60,000 square foot retail market specializes in fresh fruits and vegetables. We offer a wide array of baked goods all made on site in our scratch bakery. We’re home to the finest meats and cheeses with unique deli, prepared foods and grocery sections. Perfect gift baskets, coffees and teas, an ever increasing organic department, a personal shopping experience offering curbside service, catering and outdoor dining at our Cider Café where you can enjoy your meal under one of our many apple trees.

FOOD SHOP

Green Street Market
Rio Grande
greenstreetmarket.com

Green Street Market is Cape May County's largest and most trusted natural supermarket. Their dedicated, well-trained staff proudly provides the community with an expansive selection of nonGMO, locally made, fair trade, vegan & grass fed grocery, supplements and specialty products for natural and healthy living—and an onsite organic cafe & juice bar, too!

FOOD SHOP

Matthews Seafood Market
Cape May Courthouse
matthewsseafoodmarket.com

Since Matthews Seafood Market and Restaurant opened, our mission has been to educate and delight our community with the fresh bounty supplied by Cape May's fishermen. As a former fisherman himself, Tom Matthews takes personal pride in offering sustainable and local seafood that is healthy and delicious.

FOOD SHOP

Stockton Market
Stockton
stocktonmarket.com

Indoor, artisanal market with over 25 unique vendors. Produce, fish, meats, chocolates, breads, prepared foods, coffee bar, kombucha, & live music.

FOOD SHOP

Sussex County Food Co-op
Newton
sussexcountyfoods.org

The Sussex County Food Co-op believes in the positive association between good food and good health. We are dedicated to providing our members and customers with high quality products — with emphasis on organic, Biodynamic and locally-produced food suitable for a wide range of dietary needs.

NONPROFIT

City Green
Clifton
citygreenonline.org

City Green is a 501(c)3 urban farming and gardening organization, based in Clifton, New Jersey working to revitalize urban areas through agriculture and educational programming. It offers practical, technical and financial resources in support of environmental stewardship, equitable access to healthy food, and ecologically sustainable communities. 

NONPROFIT

Foodshed Alliance
Blairstown
FoodshedAlliance.org

The Foodshed Alliance works to strengthen sustainable farming in New Jersey, increase access to local, healthy food, and protect the environment for all members of our communities. The organization’s priorities include preserving farming as a way of life in NJ and rescuing farm food that would otherwise go to waste to feed those in need.

NONPROFIT

Grow It Green
Morristown
growitgreenmorristown.org

Grow It Green Morristown creates sustainable farms and gardens, and educates communities on healthy eating and environmental stewardship. The organization manages the Early Street Community Garden, the Urban Farm, and the Greenhouse at the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown.

NONPROFIT

JBJ Soul Kitchen
Red Bank & Toms River
jbjsoulkitchen.org

Community dining with dignity. All are welcome at our table where locally-sourced ingredients, dignity and respect are always on the menu.

NONPROFIT

The Nature Conservancy NJ
Chester
nature.org

The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends--using science and partnership to achieve beneficial, on-the-ground results for people and wildlife. The New Jersey chapter is a leading force in preserving the state’s land and forests (55,000+ acres to date), safeguarding rivers and streams, and making Jersey Shore habitats more resilient to a changing environment.

NONPROFIT

The Watershed Institute (formerly Stonybrook-Millstone Watershed Assoc)
Hopewell
thewatershed.org

The Watershed Institute has been dedicated to keeping water clean, safe, and healthy in central New Jersey since 1949. They work to protect and restore our water and natural environment through conservation, advocacy, science, and education.

NONPROFIT

The United Tastes of America / Syria Supper Club
Montclair
theunitedtastesofamerica.org

Syria Supper Club creates connections and fosters new friendships across language, culture and nationality. It provides opportunities for people who have been defined for too long as victims to share knowledge and skills unique to them.

RESTAURANT / CHEF

100 Steps Supper Club & Raw Bar
Joe Beninato
Cranford
100stepsrawbar.com

100 Steps Supper Club + Raw Bar is a spot where you can not only have a great meal, but revel in a bit of a social club atmosphere, too – a place to share remarkable food + great company. Their team enjoys watching customers interact – running into neighbors and friends, meeting up with family, or just enjoying a night out together – while savoring food crafted with the best ingredients from fisherman, butcher and farmer.

RESTAURANT / CHEF

Andre’s Lakeside Dining
Andre' deWaal
Sparta
andresrestaurant.com

For 20 years Andre’s has been committed to using only the best possible ingredients in their twice-monthly changing menu. Everything is handmade, in house, with the utmost care for our guests enjoyment.

RESTAURANT / CHEF

The Ebbitt Room
Chef Jason Hanin
Cape May
ebbittroom.com

The Ebbitt Room, located in the historic Virginia Hotel in Cape May, provides guests with seasonal farm-fresh offerings that are both delicious and beautiful. Taking advantage of the nearby Beach Plum Farm, Executive Chef Jason Hanin is inspired by what’s fresh and available and often bases his menu around the farm’s sustainable farmed meats or locally harvested seafood, creating clean, elegant dishes where the ingredients truly shine.

RESTAURANT / CHEF

Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen
Craig Polignano
Morristown
jockeyhollowbarandkitchen.com

Set within a beautifully restored 1917 mansion, the menu at Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen shows a remarkable dedication to the delicious flavors and freshest possibilities of the Garden State, from farm to sea. The mastery of executive chef Craig Polignano, who joined JHBK’s managing partner Chris Cannon in 2017, is raising the bar for New Jersey dining with expertly crafted dishes inspired by local sourcing.

RESTAURANT / CHEF

Juniper Hill
Josh DeChellis
Annandale
juniper-hill.com

Juniper Hill (Kitchen Coffee & Cocktails) is a casual community-driven restaurant and bar serving lunch and dinner. They work collaboratively with local farmers, growers, bakers and fishermen to ensure we serve interesting and diverse seeds and breeds, raised cleanly and harvested at their peak.

RESTAURANT / CHEF

Zeppoli
Joseph Baldino
Collingswood
zeppolirestaurant.com

Zeppoli is a small romantic and very intimate 35 seat BYOB restaurant located in Collingswood, NJ. Our Restaurant serves classic yet very simple, Italian cuisine with a strong focus on Sicilian.