Area Farmers Markets Are Open: Buy Some Ostrich and Eat Some Strawberries

Before I lived in Scarsdale, I was a resident of South Salem, NY, a tiny hamlet in Northern Westchester where deer outnumber residents 27:1. I really didn’t like deer and detested rural living, but one thing I loved was going to the local farm for fresh-from-the-chicken eggs. Eggs from happy chickens living in expensive real estate taste nothing like their distant cousins in the Trader Joe’s carton. The egg system worked like this: Drive up a steep hill to the most beautiful farm imaginable, put $2 in a jar on the honor system, and take a carton of blue-speckled eggs from the 1960s refrigerator. I became such an egg connoisseur that for a while, I even contemplated raising chickens, but the thought of having yet another room to clean (the chicken coop) deterred me.

When the farm stopped selling eggs to the locals, I became a regular on the farmers market circuit. With most markets open for the season, below are a few that you might want to try. I’ve included information on the “market of all markets,” Union Square Green Market in New York City, because if you are in the area, it is definitely worth a visit. You can “Like" many of the markets on Facebook and follow them on Twitter to know exactly who will be selling what on a particular day to avoid disappointment. So, if you were ever looking for a place to buy ostrich or goat meat to put on your Weber or need emu eggs for a recipe, you now know where to go.

Chappaqua Farmers Market
Website: http://chappaquafarmersmarket.org
Where: St. Mary’s Church
191 S. Greeley AveChappaqua, NY 10514
Day/time: Saturdays 8:30 am to 1:00 pm May-November

The mission of the Chappaqua farmers market is “…to bring locally raised and produced food to the community in a weekly market, creating a connection between shoppers and small-scale food producers in the region.” Vendors and farmers are within a 200-mile radius of the market, lessening the negative impact of transportation on the environment and ensuring fresh products. Some of the vendors include Amazing Real Live Food Co (Camembert, queso blancos, freshly herbed farmer’s cheeses, Ronnybrook milk and yogurt); Bombay Emerald Chutney (Indian-style chutneys, samosas and saag paneer), By the Way Bakery (gluten-free muffins, cakes and cookies); Clean Ridge Soap (soaps, oils and lotions all made from local plants and herbs from the NY area); Taiim Falafel (hummus, Israeli salad, tabouleh), and Ready, Set, Sharp (on-the-spot knife sharpening, gardening tools, scissors, etc.)

Hartsdale Farmers Market
Website: http://www.localharvest.org
Where: Hartsdale Train Station (DeSante Plaza)East Hartsdale Avenue & Fenimore RoadHartsdale, NY 10530
Day/time: Saturdays 8:00 am to 3:00 pm June-November

The Hartsdale farmers market is now in its 17th season at the Hartsdale train station. Although not as large as some of the other markets, its easy parking and fresh produce and baked goods (the strawberry short cake is especially noteworthy) make it a worthwhile, easy trip from Scarsdale. Greenburgh Town Clerk Judith Beville has organized a free outdoor concert series with musicians donating their time. Below is the tentative concert schedule: June 9 (11:30 am: Steve Scholle); June 16 (10:00 am and 11:30: Remedy); June 23 (11:30 am: Bill Galanin, guitar); July 7 (11:30 am: Di Morgan, guitar); July 14 (10:00 and 11:30 am: Igneous Lagond Music School); July 21 (10:00 am and 11:30 am: Remedy); July 28 (10:00 am and 11:30 am: Solar Punch); August 4 (10:00 am and 11:30 am: Deuces Child); August 11 (10:00 am and 11:30 am: Remedy).

Scarsdale Farmers Market
Website: www.localharvest.org
Where: Village Town Hall
1001 Post Road Scarsdale, NY
Day/time: Saturday 10 am-2:00 pm

As a loyal Scarsdale resident, I love and frequent the Scarsdale Farmers Market. In the next week or two, the market may move from its downtown Scarsdale location (Scarsdale Village Merchant Parking Lot adjacent to taxi stand near train station) The market is a great source of everything from apples, eggs, quiche, and cider doughnuts to tamales (the cheese are excellent) and spicy sausage. With at least one merchant selling gluten-free goodies, there is something for everyone. So, come out and support a farmer or baker or two and shop locally in the Dale.

Farmers' Market @ Pepsico
Website: check them out on Facebook
Where: 800 Anderson Hill Road (parking lot) Purchase, NY 10577
Day/time Wednesday 12:30 pm-6:00 pm

The Farmer's Market @ PepsiCo had its grand opening on Wednesday, May 23. Scheduled vendors for summer 2012 include: Cascade Mountain Winery (an assortment of wines, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, organic farmers cheese.

The Farmers Market at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture
Website: www.stonebarnscenter.org
Where : Dooryard Garden/Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture
630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills, NY 10591
Days/time: Friday, Saturday, Sunday 1 :00 pm-4:00 pm

Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture runs a great farmers market (as well as outstanding classes for adults and children) every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, which gives you a lot of options to get there. The market sells everything from farm-fresh meats, eggs, honey and produce including: salad mix, braising greens, turnips, escarole, Portuguese kale, bouquets, mint, and assorted herbal teas. To keep up with their rotating list of vendors, follow them on Twitter and Like them on Facebook.

Irvington Farmers Market
Website: http://irvingtonfarmersmarket.net
Where: 101 Main St Irvington, NY 10533
Day/time: Wednesday 3:30 pm-7:30 pm

The mission of the Irvington Farmers Market is to provide the community with fresh, local produce (within 200 miles) direct from field to table. Vendors include The Amazing Real Live Food Co. (probiotic cheeses and ice cream), Big Girl Baking Co. (specialties include biscotti, flourless chocolate tortes and cheesecake); Chutney Masala Bistro (Indian cuisine); Clean Ridge Soap Co. (soaps, lotions and diffusers made with local herbs and flowers); Flourish Baking Company (vegetable pot pies and vegetable muffins and breads); Mr. G’s rotisserie chicken (chicken roasted on a spit with different ethnic and herbal seasonings); and Ronnybrook Dairy (creamline milk in glass bottles, butter, cream).

Union Square Greenmarket
Website: grownyc.org/unionsquaregreenmarket
Where: North and west sides of Union Square Park (17th Street/Union Square W)
Days/time: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 8:00 am-6:00 pm

The world-famous Union Square Greenmarket began life in 1976 and has grown exponentially over the past 35 years. In peak season, 140 regional farmers, fishermen, and bakers descend upon Union Square to sell their products to a devout legion of city dwellers who support local agriculture with their food dollars. Located in one of New York City's great public spaces, visitors shop and chat with farmers; students of all ages tour the market and learn about seasonality; and visitors watch and taste cooking demonstrations by some of New York's hottest chefs. (I’ve spotted Gordon Ramsey, Alton Brown, Bobby Flay and Mario Battali on many occasions.) This is the biggest farmers market in the area and the list of vendors is extensive. Some of them include: blue moon fish (shellfish, smoked and fresh saltwater fish); Roaming Acres Ostrich (emu and ostrich eggs, ostrich products and meat); Body & Soul Bakery (vegan and gluten-free baked goods) Bulich Mushrooms (cultivated mushrooms) Dipaola Turkeys (whole, parts, ground and sausage; Lynnhaven Goat Farm (goat milk products and meat and eggs); Martin's Pretzels (hand-rolled hard pretzels; and Max Creek Hatchery (fresh and smoked farmed trout).