SIZE

Medium sized. Around 10 stands. 

VENDORS

Upbeat, exuberant vendors with interesting things to say and a great deal of passion.

Samples: A whole lot. Hotdogs with Katchkie Farm ketchup, Cheese, Jam with Bread, Blueberries, Plums, Peaches, Greenmarket employee: Tomato, Cucumber and Dill salad.

QUALITY OF FOOD

Absolutely delicious. Fruit bursts with flavor, baked goods are fresh. All produce is grown using the Integrated Pest Management system. The products of Katchkie Farm are all organic (Pickles, Soups, Tomato Products). Bread Alone bread products are all organic. Beth’s Kitchen Jam offers Low Sugar and Sugar free jams.

VARIETY

Vegetables: 

Whole: Arugula, Beets, Bok Choy, Cabbage, Carrots, Celery, Cilantro, Collard Greens, Corn, Cucumbers, Dill, Fennel, Garlic, Green Beans, Kale, Lettuce, Onions, Parsley, Radishes, Scallions, Squash, Swiss Chard, Zucchini.

Vegetable Products: Basil-Spearmint Tea, Beet Chips, Zucchini Soup, Carrot Soup, Cole Slaw, Lasagna, Pickles, Ratatouille, Pickled Vegetables.

Fruit: 

Whole: Apples (McIntosh, Ginger Gold), Apricots, Blueberries, Cantaloupe, Peaches, Plums, Tomatoes (Baby, Heirloom, Regular).

Fruit Products: Red Wine Vinegar, Ketchup, Tomato Sauce, Tomato Jam, Assorted Jams.

Wine (Anthony Road Winery): Red Wines, White Wines, Dessert Wines.

Bread Products:

Baked Goods: Muffins, Cinnamon Buns, Cakes, Assorted Pies, Cookies, Apple Cider Donuts, Croissants, Apple Turnovers, Quiche, Coconut Custard, Sweet Potato Pie.

Breads (Bread Alone): Challah, Fancy Breads, Foccaccia Breads, Sandwich Breads, Rolls.

Animal Byproducts:

Andrew’s Honey Goat Milk Soap

Artisanal Cheeses and Yogurt: Sheep’s Milk Cheese, Cow’s Milk Cheese, Sheep’s Milk Yogurt, Fresh Gelato.

Miscellaneous:

Barbecue Sauce

Pesto

Flowers (Orchids)

Plants

Andrew’s Local Honey – 9 different kinds.

SEASONAL CONSISTENCE

The produce that was in season but that the market did not offer that day was broccoli, leeks, peppers, potatoes, spinach, turnips blackberries, currants and prunes.

CENYC.org Information for this market

RestaurantGirl Profile of Market

WHAT’S UNIQUE?

This market not only offers one-of-a-kind foods, but it is in a one-of-a-kind place. Rockefeller Center buzzes with people from day tonight: shoppers, tourists, and people just looking for somewhere to stop for lunch. Thus, the market, advertised throughout the Plaza, attracts many people and does great business. The wide open space and chairs and tables surrounding the market makes it a stop, shop and chill out experience. What’s more, the food at the market is unique and great tasting. Katchkie Farm, for example, sells local organic ketchup. Ketchup is such a must for us Americans these days – whether to top our hot dogs, hamburgers or French fries, we pour it on liberally. However, the ketchup we buy at the supermarket contains such ingredients as high fructose corn syrup and preservatives, so an organic, local alternative is even more tasty and much healthier! The market also offers cole slaw, lasagna, and coconut custard, all three of which I had never seen at a farmer’s market before. I will definitely return to this market. 

PRICING

Medium-High Prices.

Corn: $0.50/ear

Challah: $5.50/loaf

Muffins: $1.35 each

Basil-Spearmint Tea: $2.00/cup

Ketchup: $6.00/jar

Carrot/Zucchini Soup: $4.00

Gelato: $3.00/continer

Apple Turnovers: $1.75/single pastry

Blueberries: $4.00/box

ACTUALLY LOCAL?

Very local food. The farms come from locations such as Milford, New Jersey and Kinderhook, New York.

CONVENIENCE

As stated in the “Notable Quality” section, Rockefeller Center is a fabulous location for a farmer’s market. Many different kinds of people visit the New York landmark, and why shouldn’t they enjoy a nutritious snack while they do? The only competition the market gets involves the Rockefeller Center Café, which is on the expensive side and is far enough away from the market that the competition does not really affect the market’s business.

NAVIGATION

Very easy and convenient to navigate the market. It is set up like an old-fashioned market, where the stands are at the center and benches are on the outside.

EBT STAMPS Not Accepted.

FINAL COMMENTS

This market does a great job of advertising its food.  The vendors tack up so many explanatory signs that if a question arises about the food, one must simply look up at the signs! The pictures of the farms often are key in attracting people to the stand, and in this department, the Rockefeller market is set.  If the market sold meat or seafood, however, consumers from the area might shop there for more than just a pie or a peach; especially since the market is open three out of 7 days a week, the incentive to go there for a full meal’s worth of ingredients would increase if it sold protein foods.

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