Visited: September 12th, Saturday Late Morning.
Open: 8-3, Saturdays, June 27th-November.
SIZE
Small-Medium Sized. Around 6 stands.
VENDORS
Vendors are knowledgeable and very helpful. The Greenmarket Employee was making fresh, local pizza right in front of shoppers’ eyes.
Samples: Cheddar Cheese, Pizza, Apples.
QUALITY OF FOOD
Food is crisp and mouth-watering. The apples are delicious, without a hint of “mealiness,” and the pasta is perfect for vegetable medleys. Meredith’s Bread uses all natural, mostly local ingredients (listed in the food stand). Anthill Farm provides all organic produce to the Greenmarket.
VARIETY
Vegetables:
Whole: Arugula, Beans (Wax, Green), Basil, Beets, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Kale, Lettuce, Onions (Yellow, Red), Parsnips, Peppers, Potatoes, Radishes (Spanish and Watermelon), Squash, Zucchini.
Jarred: Pickles, Vegetables.
Fruit:
Whole: Apples (Lady, McIntosh, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Winesap), Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Tomatoes.
Fruit Products: Meredith’s Bread Assorted Jams, Apple/Apple-Raspberry Cider.
Bread Products:
Meredith’s Bread: Quiche, Brownies, Chocolate Macaroons, Biscotti, Sliced Bread (Whole Wheat, Cinnamon Swirl, White, etc.), Cookies, Cakes, Assorted Pies, Muffins, Dog Biscuits, Tarts.
Breezy Hill Orchards: Cookies (Chocolate Chip, Carrot Raisin, Ginger Snap), Brownies, Apple Turnovers, Donuts.
Knoll Krest Farm Pasta: Linguini (Spinach, Carrot, Beet).
Animal Byproducts:
Millport Dairy: Eggs, Various Cheddar Cheeses.
SEASONAL CONSISTENCE
The produce unavailable on this day at the Murray Hill Greenmarket but that was in season was broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, peas, spinach, turnips blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupes, raspberries and watermelon.
WHAT’S UNIQUE?
The Murray Hill Greenmarket has a one-of-a-kind quality: next to the Greenmarket Employee stand is a table laden with books and information about the New York Public Library. In front of this table, a representative from the library has a rug laid out and reads picture books aloud to children gathered around her while their parents shop for food. Not only does this free the hands of the parents so that they can more efficiently buy groceries, but also the kids simultaneously learn and interact with one another. The idea is brilliant and other Greenmarkets should most definitely follow suit. Additionally, 2nd avenue runs both ways, allowing for more drivers to see the market while passing by. Lastly, PS. 116 is just a block away; thus, the kids from the school can enjoy a Saturday reading session in a comfortable, familiar environment.
PRICING
The prices are not bad
Meredith’s Bread Brownies: $2 each
Meredith’s Bread Chocolate Macarrons: $5/box
Meredith’s Bread Cinnamon Swirl Sliced Bread: $4/loaf
Ringhoff Farm Tomato: $2/lb
Millport Dairy Sharp Cheddar Cheese: $7/block
Anthill Farm Organic Baby Arugula: $6/half pound
Anthill Farm Organic Basil: $6/half pound
Anthill Farm Organic Beets: $2.50/lb
Breezy Hill Orchards Ginger Snap Cookie: $2 each
Breezy Hill Orchards Apple Cider: $2/pint
ACTUALLY LOCAL?
The food at the Murray Hill Greenmarket is not the most local it could be; its farms range from Wayne County, Pennsylvania to Suffolk County, New York.
CONVENIENCE
As stated in the “What’s Unique” section, the Murray Hill Greenmarket is conveniently nearby P.S. 116. In addition, high-rise apartment buildings surround the market, so it is probable that the street gets frequent pedestrian traffic. The business was great on Saturday, September 12th, and I can’t imagine why it wouldn’t any other Saturday. Across from Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks, perhaps the Greenmarket’s business hurts a bit from this competition, but as Starbucks is essentially a monopoly, competition with the latter is unavoidable.
NAVIGATION
Very easy to navigate.
EBT Stamps Not Accepted.
FINAL COMMENTS
The old and the young alike can enjoy a Saturday morning or afternoon at the lovely Murray Hill Greenmarket. The neighborhood is cheerful and quaint, and the market fits right in. Perhaps the only setback to the market is that it has very little protein-rich foods; perhaps with the addition of seafood or meat, the market would get even more business and meat lovers would give it a second glance. Otherwise, the market is fabulous and useful.
