The origin of the farm-to-table movement is credited to the opening of Chez Panisse in Berkely, CA in 1971 by famed restaurateur Alice Waters, inspiring many more such restaurants in the nation’s largest state. The idea was to prepare meals with locally sourced wholesome ingredients, while avoiding industrially farmed and packaged food.
Momo family matriarch Terese in Chile, where she lives today.
Soon after, an east coast origin story was underway in 1976 when Italian immigrant Terese Momo opened a deli on the New Jersey/New York border, preparing food with locally sourced ingredients and recipes of her homeland. Her innovation inspired a great many additional farm-to-table style establishments, including those opened by her four sons—Raoul, Venanzio, Carlo, and Anthony—who became farm-to-table entrepreneurs, most notably in Central New Jersey. (Three of the four brothers shown in black and white photo above.)
Jammin’ Crepes in Princeton shows off its farm partners.
Today, Central Jersey is home to more than 20 farm-to-table restaurants with the largest concentration in Princeton, the famous university town, with clusters in Hopewell and Flemington. It truly is high time for foodies and culinary travelers to partake of Central Jersey’s restaurants, as well as its welcoming farms and farmer’s markets, vineyards, and craft breweries.
Princeton alone has about a dozen farm-to-table restaurants, including the Momos’ Mediterra, Eno Terra, and Terese’s Pizza & Wine Bar, named for the family’s matriarch. You’ll also find two farm-to-table ice cream shops, a bakery, a creperie, a second pizzeria, and several outstanding white table-cloth restaurants, all featuring locally grown meats and produce.
Flemington’s historic downtown is an emerging farm-to-table destination thanks to the perennial favorite, Matt’s Red Rooster, the Bread & Culture bakery, and several more opening soon.
Matt’s Red Rooster has held its perch for more than two decades.
Hopewell Fare is a newly relaunched community space in Hopewell Borough with several local food businesses including Farmer’s Café, Maria’s Market, and Sourland Bread. It’s elegant sister restaurant, Brick Farm Tavern, is down the road, while Aunt Chubby’s Luncheonette offers farm-to-table breakfasts and lunch in a diner-style atmosphere.
You can also find farm-to-table dining in Hightstown, Sergeantsville, Lambertville, Somerville, New Brunswick, and other Central Jersey towns.
Central Jersey farms, of course, are a big part of the story. The state’s agricultural society dates to 1781 when the United States was still just an idea. But farms welcoming visitors is a newer phenomenon in the Garden State. Indeed, 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Terhune Orchards, New Jersey’s first major agritourism destination farm. The region also boasts cow and goat dairy farms that specialize in making cheeses, a perfect complement to the region’s increasing number of wine growers.
Hopewell Fare has become a farm-to-table cooperative.
Rutgers University in Central Jersey may be the secret source of the entire farm-to-table movement. One of the oldest and most important land-grant universities with an extensive history of agricultural research, Rutgers educated the father of Alice Waters, Charles, with a degree in agricultural engineering. And Raoul Momo earned his degree from Rutgers in agricultural economics. During those early years, Raoul and his brothers opened their first restaurant, a pizzeria, next to the Rutgers campus in New Brunswick.
New Jersey’s nickname, the Garden State, has been fodder for sarcasm as the state has become the most densely developed in the United States. But large swaths of farmland, parkland, and open space continue nourish residents and visitors alike, thanks to statewide preservation efforts and the dedication of farm families. Farming has been part of New Jersey’s identity since before the nation’s founding. Fighting over the fruits of the Garden State’s bounty.
Cherry picking at Terhune Orchards, near Princeton.
Farming has been part of New Jersey’s identity since before the nation’s founding. Fighting over the fruits of the Garden State’s bounty—the forage wars—was a key feature of local battles and skirmishes during the American Revolution. New Jersey expects to be a major draw for history buffs as the nation celebrates its 250th birthday, starting this year.
Whatever brings you to New Jersey—the farms, food, nature, history, beaches, craft beverages, or the arts—make sure to reserve yourself a farm-to-table table.
For more information about everything to see and do in Central Jersey, visit discovercentralnj.com. This article is supported in part by a grant from New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.
Agricola is an elegant farm-to-table restaurant in the heart of Princeton.