Greenport Farmers Market Preview

We come out of hibernation from the doldrums of winter seeking revitalization. The perfect way to find just that is at the Greenport Farmers Market (GFM), with its fresh produce and friendly faces.

The GFM is gearing up for its second season, running May 19 through October 13, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market will be located in the Greenport United Methodist parking lot.

The farmers market provides a chance to meet, interact and learn from the families who are growing the food you eat. There’s no questioning where the food comes from or the love that went into producing it. You will find fruits and veggies of course, as well as an array of herbs, flowers, poultry, eggs, cheese, baked goods, wine and other local products.

Lara McNeil, the GFM president, shares that over 15 local vendors participate, as well as a few rotating East End schools selling veggies from their greenhouse classrooms to raise funds to continue their programs.

Just a few participating vendors include: Blue Duck Bakery, Catapano Dairy Farm, Deep Roots Farm, Gula Gula Empanadas, Widows Hole Oysters Company and Scarcola Vineyards.

Fun events such as cooking demos with local chefs, baking contests and children’s nutrition activities spice up the market. Two booths are also available for local vineyards, as well as a non-profit booth to allow different organizations to fund raise.

McNeil proudly declares, “We are about 20% certified organic, but all our farmers (use) sustainable practices and most have (proven their environmental concern by signing) the NOFA-NY (Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York) Farmers Pledge.” A program will be in place soon to utilize leftover products if/when vendors aren’t sold out.

Currently the Greenport Farmers Market is the only farmers market on the North Fork, and it is the only venue where Senior and WIC farmer’s market vouchers can be used. Farm stands do not accept these vouchers.

McNeil shares that the market accepts EBT Cards (Food Stamps), and it has “funded the Fresh Check program for 2012. For each $5 spent on the card we give an additional $2 to be spent on fresh local vegetables.”

“I love the sense of community that we experience every Saturday morning. Our Volunteers are AMAZING,” McNeil raves. “I love watching the kids learn to eat different veggies. I love when a senior expresses their appreciation for having a closer place to use their FMNP (Farmers Market Nutrition Program) vouchers. There are SO MANY things to love about our market.”

Local vendors can join the permanent line up, becoming Anchor Vendors for a mere $10 per week for the 22-week season. Anchor Vendors also get a vote at the yearly meeting. In addition, short-term participation options are available for vendors who don’t want to commit to the whole season.

Make the commercial market experience a thing of the past. Support your health and community by shopping at the Greenport Farmers Market.

For more info or to participate in the Greenport Farmers’ Market contact 631-494-8512 or

info@GreenportFarmersMarket.com. 

www.GreenportFarmersMarket.com