First there was the Maplewood Farmers Market, a Monday mainstay at Springfield Avenue and Indiana Street, bringing Jersey Fresh veggies and fruits, plus baked goods, pickles, prepared meals — and falafel — to the hungry local throngs.

Then there was Arturo's Thursday night farmers market at Baker Street and Maplewood Avenue in the Village, running from 5 p.m. until the produce runs out each week and featuring organically grown greens from a local farm in, yes, East Orange.

Now, there is the Millstone Farmers Market at the Millstone Lawn & Garden center, bringing fresh produce, plus organic milk and eggs and homeopathic pet food, to the populace six days a week — and soon seven.

John Kuiken filled us in on the details.

Kuiken is partnering with Millstone owners Steve and Will Saggio on the farmers market. Kuiken has been in the dairy trade all his life, running the family business — Kuiken's Dairy Farm — created by his grandfather back in the days of daily doorstep deliveries.

When Kuiken moved to Maplewood with his wife a few years ago, he became friendly with one of the Saggios who lived down the block. For years, he said they talked about doing a farmers market at Millstone and, finally, this year they opened it as a test.

The Millstone Farmers Market debuted on June 17 — according to 15-year-old Connor Saggio who mans the register. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The market is closed on Sundays in August but will be open on Sundays after Labor Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The market is actually indoors, at the east end of the Millstone building (enter from the back).

Kuiken said that the idea is to keep the market going through Christmas — "as long as I can get produce." For the fall, he'll be bringing in more apples and baked good from local bakeries.

Kuiken is sourcing the produce from Harmony Farms in Allamuchy, NJ and Demarest Farms in Hillsdale, NJ, although sometimes he reaches over the border to Warwick, New York, an area that he is very fond of for its farms and wineries. Kuiken says that some of the produce is organic — "when it's available, I get it" — and all of the milk and eggs are organic.

He also offers a homeopathic brand of organic pet supplies and food called Wholistic Paws.

Besides Connor, Kuiken has also brought his own daughters in to run the register. "It's a great experience," said Kuiken, who noted that a lot of kids these days don't know how to make change. What will he do when Connor and the girls go back to school? "It's hard to find somebody," he said. If you're interested, stop in at Millstone or call the Millstone Lawn & Garden number.

Kuiken is also offering local artists and crafts people an opportunity to display their wares at the market. Although the walls are adorned with many antique signs collected throughout Kuiken's years in the dairy trade, he's left one bare for the purpose of promoting local artists.

"Call the Mill or stop down and see us."

Millstone Lawn & Garden Center and Farmers Market, 1 Pierson Rd., Maplewood , NJ 07040 | 973-763-6633