How it Began:  (History)

Catalpa Farm started in the 1970’s when Evelyn and Albert Puchalek began working the farm that Evelyn’s parents had purchased in the 1940’s.  The homestead and farm date back to the mid 1700’s when Dutch immigrants moved into the central portions of what became New Jersey. The farm was home to the Van Doren, Hoagland and Vliet families during its long history.  Mr. Vliet continued to farm the land where he grew up even after Evelyn’s parents moved there.
 
Al spent much of his youth helping on his grandparents’ poultry farm, working on a local dairy farm and planting and harvesting grain crops; it was a natural transition to running a farm himself.   During the last 12 years, the transition was made from raising livestock and grain crops to raising fresh vegetables.  Their roadside farm market, on the corner of Old Vliet and South Middlebush Roads in Franklin, has become a landmark for many residents and commuters of central Jersey. 

Evelyn’s parents could never have envisioned the number of people who utilize South Middlebush Road on a daily basis.  The farm stand has gradually evolved from a single table of vegetables for sale, utilizing the honor system, to over 40’ of fresh vegetable and flower offerings, grown in the fields of Catalpa Farm.

Al and Evelyn Puchalek started a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program in 2010.  The CSA members pick up their produce directly at the farm on a weekly basis which provides them with a wider selection of fresh vegetable than can be offered at the roadside stand. 

Catalpa Farm is located at 15 Old Vliet Road in Franklin Park, New Jersey, 08823.  The farm's roadside stand is located at the corner of Old Vliet Road and South Middlebush Road.  The stand opens in late June and is open daily into September weather conditions permitting.

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