Vacchiano Farm
803 US Highway 202S, Neshanic Station, NJ 08853
908-237-1301 | Vacchianofarm.com
By Kaylynn Ebner
The best meals start with the best ingredients and for that, nothing beats fresh, locally grown meat and produce. Now, Hunterdon County has a new option for shoppers looking for just that: Vacchiano Farm Store, a 25,000-square-foot market located on Route 202 in Readington (between the Bridgewater and Flemington areas).
Locals may already know the Vacchiano name. Three generations of the Vacchiano family have been running a 100-acre farm in Washington Township for decades and selling fresh fruits and vegetables, delectable breads and baked goods, wines, and succulent pasture-raised meat at local farmer’s markets. But earlier this year, the Vacchianos acquired the former Profeta Farms store and land in Readington and have expanded their already impressive offerings.
“The Vacchiano Farm Store is beautifully set up. The inside of the store is like a work of art with a gorgeous knotty pine interior. I dare say it’s the nicest farm stand in all of New Jersey. It’s just absolutely beautiful,” says Anthony Vacchiano, Jr., who manages the store with his son Anthony. His father, 84-year-old Tony Vacchiano, Sr., helps in the store as well.
Nearly everything sold in the stand is grown or produced by Vacchiano Farm, be it fresh pasture-raised meat, free-range eggs, produce (including heirloom tomatoes, squash, fruit, and more), homemade bread, cakes, ice cream, cheeses, ravioli, jarred sauces, local honey, and more. Meat offerings include chicken, pork, steaks, and more—all sold fresh, not frozen. Fresh turkeys can be ordered for Thanksgiving Dinner. Wines from the Vacchiano winery and local milk from partners in Pittstown and Newton, NJ, are also on the offer. Offerings aim to be free of chemicals and synthetic ingredients.
Vacchiano Farm also has a butcher shop and smokehouse on-site, where Anthony’s son smokes all the store’s hugely popular sausages, kielbasi, hot dogs, and other pork products onsite. House-smoked bacon is the store’s most popular item. “My son does a fantastic job,” says Anthony.
There’s also a full working bakery on-site that’s busy making cakes, Italian pastries, pies, donuts, bagels, and the store’s popular breads. “Our baker makes fantastic Italian breads. Customers tell me that our rye bread is the best they’ve ever had,” Anthony states.
Customers can also stop in for prepared takeout items like homemade pulled pork bbq, meatballs, macaroni & cheese, baked ziti, eggplant parmesan, and more.
In addition to the farm store, the Vacchianos are expanding their farming and meat operations in Readington. “We’re slowly taking over the farmland in Readington, which is 370 acres,” Anthony explains. For instance, part of the beef operation is now located in Readington, giving the cows a huge pasture for grazing.
The Vacchiano Farm Store (803 US-202 in Readington, NJ) is open Mondays through Saturdays, 9-7, and Sundays 9-6. For more information, visit www.vacchianofarm.com.