These are the best farmers markets in North Jersey — according to experts and insiders

Which are better — fruits or vegetables?

Or how about fruits versus dried fruits?

Or fruits against fruity soaps?

Or fruity soaps compared to artisan dog biscuits?

If you read those questions and thought we were helping you pick your favorite store in the Short Hills Mall, think again.

Farmers' market season has officially arrived in New Jersey and, for the next few months, you'll be able to get all of those luxury goods and fresh produce items in the same place.

But, before you rush off to spend your hard-earned dollars in a field of tents, remember: not all markets are created equal. Some have long lines, unnecessary entry fees or produce that — ironically — isn't even locally grown.

So, to help you find a top-quality market near you, we talked to local farmers, foragers and culinary entrepreneurs to figure out which regional events reign supreme.

According to the people on the flora-laden front lines, then, these are the three best farmers' markets to visit in North Jersey.

Montclair Farmers' Market, Montclair

Over 30 years ago, Montclair was one of towns in New Jersey to launch a weekly farmers' market, and today the Montclair Farmers' Market is still going strong.

What started as a summer attraction to bring shoppers into the downtown business district, however, has now become an all-year thing, with local produce vendors gathering together every weekend to provide fresh harvest and artisan goods to residents of the area. On Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Walnut Street Train Station springs to life with the vibrant colors of pop-up booths and vigorous energy of health-conscious consumers; each excited to interact over a novel, quality product.

And, according to the vendors behind the event, the enthusiasm emitted on the grounds of roped-off block is tangible.

"Montclair is a standout farmers' market because it has been around thirty-something years," Dan Lipow, mushroom forager/owner of The Foraged Feast (a specialty produce vendor that supplies to the market) said. "It's an old, old event with lots of history and a lot of people who have participated for a very long time. There is a passion for food and excellence from all the different vendors who are there, and the people who come and shop really care about what they eat. They're there for a reason; they're chasing flavor and quality in all of their ingredients."

Lipow is an acclaimed mushroom forager who is known to local restaurateurs and diners alike for providing top-notch produce to Jersey's best restaurants. On the weekends, he sells his fungi at five markets across the state. Montclair, though, is one of his favorites.

"Montclair is a superstar market, because the town has great history and demographics," he said. "A lot of people in the area have come from worldly backgrounds with exposure to different cuisines, and that exposure drives their desire to get all of these wonderful foods."

Each weekend, some of those "wonderful foods" include hand-squeezed juices, bright red peppers, flavored marshmallows, fine dark chocolate and more. International foods — supported by the diverse background of the clientele that Lipow mentioned — also have a strong presence at the market. On any given day, shoppers can expect specialties ranging from vermicelli noodles to curried sweet potatoes. This season, a new cookie vendor has even entered the pack; offering flavors ranging from double chocolate chip to banana oat.

So, if it's diversity of product you're after in your spring harvest haul? Make sure to visit this Essex County market; because its size, mission and staff provides that quality like no other.

When/where: Saturdays 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in May) at the Walnut Street Train Station; 86 Walnut Street, Montclair.

Learn more at: montclairfarmersmarket.org.

Ramsey Farmers' Market, Ramsey

Pickled vegetables, handmade dumplings and international smoked meats — all of those and more are sold from the tent-topped booths of the Ramsey Farmers' Market.

In fact, the vendor list at the bustling event is so long, it would probably put the local Whole Foods out of business, should management ever choose to keep it open seven days a week.

"We have French pastries, Italian pastries, French bread, Italian bread and even gluten free bread in Ramsey," Joey Katona, owner of Joey's Market (a vendor at the event), said. "And then you have a wide selection of produce, because there's a conventional farm, an organic farm and even a top farm from south New York. There's an incredible array of beautiful fruits and vegetables."

Katona is an artisan baker whose small business has been involved in the Ramseys Farmers' Market since the latter's inception in 2015. Each weekend, he supplies the event with fresh breads, pastries, strombolis and more, and notes that the positive environment in which he sells is unparalleled by any other market.

That lively, uplifting atmosphere — he says — can be largely attributed to Nancy Boone, the event's dedicated director.

"The reason I think the market is so great is because the lady who runs it, Nancy, is an incredible person, and so the vendors she attracts are people who are similar to her; community-oriented, great people who want to interact with the customers" Katona said. "Nancy always considers the human side of every interaction rather than the business side, and she just gives a positive energy to the whole atmosphere."

Pair that great management with the market's extensive selection of fresh food offerings — and central location in the town's historic train station — and it's no surprise the event has quickly become a Bergen County household name.

Currently, the locally-acclaimed market boasts over 70 vendors, hosts hundreds of guests per day and runs all year; even in the snow.

When/where: Sundays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (May through November, with shortened 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. hours for the remainder of the year) at 2 W. Main St. in Ramsey.

Learn more at: ramseyfarmersmarket.org.

Sparta Farmers' Market, Sparta

When it comes to traditional farmers' markets — with rows of fragrant flowers, glistening tomatoes and bakers with demeanors as warm as their breads — none in the area compares to Sparta's weekly shindig.

Aptly named the Sparta Farmer's Market, the Saturday morning event is the biggest of its kind in Northwestern New Jersey.

"The Sparta Farmers' Market has up to 40 vendors a week," Ben Del Coro, an executive employee of Fossil Farms, said. "It's got everything you could ever want or need in a farmers' market covered."

And perhaps, we assume, that's why he chose to take on the voluntary role of its director.

The Sparta Farmers' Market is held in Sussex County, and, as such, Del Coro and team strive to source all of its goods from that area.

"We're really, really specific about what vendors we bring into our market," the farm-focused businessman-turned-market-manager said. "We focus on Sussex County first, because I want the products to be baked, raised or grown as close to the market as possible."

From cheesemongers to gourmet dog biscuit-makers, each producer reinforces that local vision, ensuring that the quality of goods received by shoppers is exceptional.

The market is also known for equally exceptional customer service, as Del Coro expects his vendors to be personally present at their booths on market day — and just about all of them are.

"Most of my vendors really connect well with the community," Del Coro said. "The farmers, the business owners, the cheese-makers; 90% of them are there at the market each week."

And that community feel — plus microgreens, pasture-raised duck and cool, creamy milk — is what keeps locals flocking to the event each beautiful summer week.

When/where: Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (May through November) at 89 Sparta Ave in Sparta.

Learn more at: spartafarmersmarket.org.

Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can't find her in Jersey's best restaurants, she's probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Best farmers markets in NJ: Experts tout these North Jersey spots