SIZE
Very small. Consists of only four stands, selling fruits, vegetables, fruit products and bread products.
VENDORS
Fairly friendly vendors. Any question one asks they will answer very honestly and clearly.
Samples: Extensive. They include peaches, apricots, cherries, and juices.
QUALITY OF FOOD
Very good quality; peaches are sweet, juice is delicious, apples are crisp, cherries are delectable. Fruit is not organic – sprayed with an organic spray to ward off bugs and fungi. Bread is organic. Vegetables are organic.
VARIETY
Vegetables:
Carrots, Romaine, Kohlrabi, Arugula, Sorrel, Garlic Sprouts, Beets, Leeks, Radishes, White Potatoes, Regular Potatoes, Zucchini, Onions, Squash, Cucumbers.
Fruit:
Fresh: Apples (7 types – Ida Red, Fuji, Braeburn, Red Delicious, Mutsu, Golden Delicious), Tomatoes, Strawberries, Gooseberries, Cherries, Raspberries, Red Currants, Peaches, Plums, Apricots.
- Fruit Juices: Red Jacket Orchard – Strawberry Apple, Apricot Apple, Apple, Raspberry Apple, Rhubarb Apple, Grape Apple.
- Fruit Products: Strawberry Glaze, Apple Glaze, Apple Butter, Apple Sauce, Apple Syrup, Apple Honey, Peach Honey, Canned Peaches, Vodka Sauce, Salsa, Chipotle, Tomato Soup.
Bread Products:
· Organic breads – Sourdough, Onion, Raisin, Wheat, White, etc.
· Baked Goods: Rhubarb Pie, Apple Pie, Scones, Quiche.
* Arrive early, otherwise all baked goods are gone.
Animal Byproducts:
Eggs.
Not much variety because there are only 6 stands – no meat, dairy, seafood. Great for a vegan diet!
SEASONAL CONSISTENCE
Considering the size of this market, the seasonal consistence was very impressive. The produce in season that the market did not offer that day was beans, broccoli, cabbage, peas, rhubarb and spinach.
CENYC.org Information about this market
WHAT’S UNIQUE?
Out of all of the farmers’ markets I’ve seen, this one is the only one to have Vodka Sauce, Tomato Soup, Canned Peaches, Salsa, and Chipotle. These products are so frequently bought at grocery stores and are always imported a long way and usually contain various preservatives, sugars and chemicals, but the quality of those at the 106th Street Farmers’ Market far exceeds that of those at the grocery store.
PRICING
Low prices.
Garlic sprouts: $4.00/bunch
Carrots: $2.00/bunch
Peaches: $0.75 each (not in bulk)
One Apple, 11 Cherries = $1.75.
ACTUALLY LOCAL?
Most of the food is made in Pennsylvania or upstate NY (like Pine Island, NY). They use trucks to transport the food from the farm to the market.
CONVENIENCE
The market is not too busy, perhaps if they added a few stands they would attract more people. Business from people walking and running up and down Central Park West, and in and out of Central Park. Saturday mid-afternoon: not too much business.
NAVIGATION
Extremely easy to get around.
EBT STAMPS Not Accepted.
FINAL COMMENTS
The dearth of variety and the only once-a-week availability demonstrates the need for expansion for the 106th Street Farmer’s Market. Nevertheless, the market managed to have the majority of fruit and vegetables that are in season in mid-July (except for produce like Strawberries and Peas). In order to have ingredients for a wholesome, balanced meal, one would need to look further than this market. So come here when you’re craving a savory peach or some salsa for your chips, but perhaps try the nearby Columbia farmer’s market to fetch necessities for an entire meal.
Also, they should definitely be open more than once a week!
