Visited: July 29th, Wednesday Early Afternoon.
Opens: 8-6, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, April-December.
SIZE
Fairly large – around 9 or 10 stands!
VENDORS
Enthusiastic and helpful vendors – explain about the farmers’ practices.
Samples: Extensive. Watermelon, Cheeses, Peaches, Biscotti, Plums, Tomatoes.
Also a demonstration in which Greenmarket employee made a pasta and provided samples.
QUALITY OF FOOD
Superb! Succulent fruits and wonderful cheeses. All produce is “naturally” grown. All bread products are organic.
VARIETY
Vegetables:
Whole: Arugula, Beets, Bok Choy, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Chives, Cilantro, Collard Greens, Corn, Cucumbers, Dill, Escarole, Garlic, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Onions, Peppers (Bell, Sweet), Potatoes, Scallions, Spinach, Squash, Zucchini.
Vegetable Products: Pickled Vegetables, Zucchini Bread.
Fruit:
Whole: Apples (Mutsu, Fuji, Empire), Apricots, Cantaloupe, Nectarines, Peaches, Plums, Raspberries, Tomatoes, Watermelon (Yellow).
Fruit Products: Apple Cider, Tomato Soup, Vodka Sauce, Tomato Sauce, Apple Sauce, Canned Peaches, Assorted Jams.
Bread Products:
Breads: Assorted Baguettes, Assorted Sliced Sandwich Breads.
Baked Goods: Assorted Pies, Muffins, Brownies, Biscotti, Small Cakes, Cookies, Whoopie Pies, Chicken Pot Pie, Quiche.
Pastas (Knoll Krest Farm): Spinach Pasta, Beet Pasta, Plain Pasta, Whole Wheat Pasta.
Meat:
Beef Jerky, Bologna.
Animal Byproducts:
Eggs, Cheeses (Sharp and Mild Assorted Cheddars).
SEASONAL CONSISTENCE
This market had all produce that was in season at the time except for broccoli, radishes, swiss chard and blueberries.
CENYC.org Information for this market
WHAT’S UNIQUE?
I have never seen beef jerky or bologna sold at a farmer’s market before! What great, long-lasting foods – surprising that they’re not more common at the markets. Aside from those, the market itself is a gem in the community. Hoards of people stop by whenever it’s open, viewing the Greenmarket employee demonstration and testing the fruit. In addition, there is Wi-Fi at Balsley Park, making it both a community-based and tech-savvy location.
PRICING
Good pricing.
Corn: $1.00/2 ears
Tomatoes: $4.00/lb
Muffins: $1.75 each
Block of Cheese: $6.00
Cantaloupe: $3.50
ACTUALLY LOCAL?
All from the New York area from farms such as Goshen, New York, Hudson Valley, New York.
CONVENIENCE
Great location. The area surrounding the market is dotted with restaurants and companies, but the floors above them are most definitely residences. People walk by looking for ingredients for dinner, not just a snack. Plus, there is a little park beside the market in which one can sit and enjoy.
NAVIGATION
Very easy to navigate, with Produce sandwiching the Bread and Cheeses.
EBT STAMPS Not Accepted.
FINAL COMMENTS
This farmer’s market is most definitely one to which I’d come back. They are adding Seafood to the market as well, so one can truly prepare a full, well-balanced meal with only ingredients from the market!
