Saturday Is Farmer’s Market Day
Welcome to summer and delicious local ingredients!
I remember, when I first moved to Bed-Stuy back in 2005, the only place to buy decent produce on a regular basis was Super Foodtown. And while they do a fine job over there at Restoration Plaza, there is no way that a single supermarket, no matter how upscale, can serve an area as large as this one.
Fast forward to 2009: Bed-Stuy now has not one but TWO Saturday famer’s markets. The Youthmarket, run by Council on the Environment of New York City, is affiliated with the larger greenmarkets in Ft Greene and Brooklyn Heights, and carries a selection of produce and other items from those farmers. The Youthmarket program trains local young people in planning and operating a farm-stand business while educating them about their health, their community, nutrition, the environment, and regional agriculture. The first Youthmarket was Bed-Stuy’s Lewis Ave Market (opened in 2006). Now there are 8 weekly farm stands in Brooklyn, the Bronx and Manhattan. Here’s a list.
I’ve been going to the Bed-Stuy Youthmarket almost every Saturday in season (usually July-October) and they recognize me now. July 11 was the opening day:
Bed-Stuy Youthmarket, L to R: Noni, Shane, Aneil
They are open 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. I bought raspberries and a big bunch of spearmint and plan to use them as the basis for a yummy dessert.
The new market on the block is the Malcolm X Blvd Community Farmer’s Market. This market, located on Macolm X between Marion and Chauncey, is sponsored by Brooklyn Rescue Mission and Bed-Stuy Farm. It’s open every Saturday, rain or shine, through the first weekend in November, 8 am to 1 pm.
I visited on opening day, July 11. Migliorelli Farms, one of the regular vendors, featured a fantastic assortment of leafy greens, fruit, and vegetables. I bought scallions, baby bok choy, and rocket (arugula). After that I moseyed down to the tent on the corner of Marion and MXB and watched a great street chef cooking demo by T I Williams of livesip.
Cooking demo by T I Williams of livesip
She made two vegetable dishes: kale with apples and scallions (green onions), followed by stir-fried baby Japanese turnips with baby fennel. She showed us how to cut the fennel properly (on an angle) and told us not to worry about peeling the turnips. Once she was done, we got to taste.
Afterward, I headed back to the Migliorelli stand and purchased the ingredients (and I wasn’t the only one). Guess what’s for dinner tonight!
11 July 2009, 8:56 pm
It’s great to not have to go out of the neighborhood for farmer’s markets.
On Saturdays, there’s also Hattie Carthan’s Community Market, comprised of Community Gardeners in the neighborhood (Marcy at Lafayette/Clifton) and Weeksville’s Farmer’s Market (Bergen btwn Rochester & Buffalo)
13 July 2009, 7:14 am
This is awesome. Also check out Bed Stuy Food Not Bombs for free food & groceries for all. It’s at the corner of Marcy and Lafayette, every Saturday at 3, just outside of Von King/Tompkins Park, actually directly across the street from Hattie Carthan Community Garden. You can also help by spreading the word, flyering the park, picking up food, or cooking with us 1-3 at 123 Community Space (123communityspace.org – 123 Tompkins @ Myrtle). 123 Community Space also has a bunch of free programs for youth & adults, such as a bike workshop, a silkscreen print shop, and a young people’s summer field trip program. Additionally, anyone can come to the space and propose their own idea for a new project, event or program.
13 July 2009, 9:58 am
The new Saturday morning ritual for the next few months will be the Youth Market and Malcolm X Market!
It feels good to be able to buy more produce for less money. I’ve already eaten up some of my purchases!
27 July 2009, 3:07 pm
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