Community Markets
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Little Seed Gardens Tour and Why We Do What We Do
This week, in the soft light best known to autumn afternoons, the crew at Community Markets went walking with farmer Willy Denner. He toured us through his certified organic farm, Little Seed Gardens, near Chatham, NY. We peered into the greenhouses and walked the fields, all led by a man who shared at one point, “After eighteen years of picking bok choy, you get to thinking.”
What Denner is thinking about is nothing short of what it means to earn one’s livelihood from nature. “I try to meet my needs on a piece of land and have the land be in better shape when I’m done living,” he says. Together with his wife, Claudia Kenny, and their children, the family got their farm up and running on land that was once nearly barren.
“When we first got here, we dug thirty-five holes, each five feet deep, for soil profiles. We did not find a single earthworm,” Denner explained.
Today they grow intensively on fifteen acres that are supported by another twenty acres home to horses and cattle, compost piles and cover crops. Their farming method uses the skillful rhythm of crop rotation, including a succession of early crops, late crops, and fallow time for the land. “The cover crops match what’s going to come next,” Denner told us, as Kenny held up a small batch of pea shoots used as nitrogen fixers in the field. They also explained that they harvest their crops “bit by bit,” so they don’t pick everything from one spot all at once.
“The rotation helps ensure you’re not doing the same thing year after year. It’s the opposite of industrial agriculture, where you have the same crop, in the same place, on the same schedule and things just keep getting worse and worse,” Denner said.
As the shadows grew long across the fields, we all sat down to share dinner at one big farm table. We broke bread, along with cheese and savory pastries and beef stew and more. And we were reminded of something Denner had said about his experience as a vendor at the farmers market: “People value connecting with other people around what they do. If you care about what you do, and it shows in your actions, people respond to that.” On behalf of all of us at Community Markets, we respond to Willy, Claudia, and all the people at Little Seed Gardens, with a toast of gratitude.
Community Markets to Host Screening of Fixing the Future,
Followed by Panel Discussion with Local Activists in New Economy
Wednesday, July 18th at 7 pm
The Picture House, Pelham, NY
Tickets: $9 in advance; $12 at door
Westchester County, NY (July 11, 2012) – In the face of economic uncertainty, more Americans are coming together for new thinking on how to reclaim our communities. On Wednesday, July 18th, join Community Markets as we host a one-night-only screening of Fixing the Future, a documentary dedicated to “the reinvention of the American economy.” This screening in Pelham, NY is part of a national series of events to show the film and jumpstart discussion on building local economies. After the film, the audience in Pelham will talk about creating sustainable livelihoods with area advocates who are working on the ground now. The panel will include social entrepreneur Mike Brady, CEO of Greyston Bakery; John Bell, Director of Transition Westchester; and Jon Zeltsman, President of Community Markets.
In Fixing the Future, host David Brancaccio (of public radio’s Marketplace and NOW on PBS) visits locations across America that are using innovative, sustainable approaches to create jobs and build prosperity. From initiatives such as worker cooperatives and “time banks” to community banks and local currencies, the film features stories of solution. For Community Markets, a company that has managed farmers markets in and around the Hudson Valley for over twenty years, the film’s message falls in line with our mission to create opportunities for local food producers and consumers to build the regional food economy.
The venue is The Picture House in Pelham, NY, a beautiful, fully-restored 1921 movie theater that seats 300 people. The Picture House is located at 175 Wolfs Lane in Pelham, NY. Tickets are $9 in advance and $12 at the door. They can be purchased online at www.thepicturehouse.org.
For more information about Fixing the Future, visit www.fixingthefuture.org.
About Community Markets
Since 1991, Community Markets has curated farmers markets that provide shoppers with a full range of foods from the Hudson Valley region. Our vendors are family-scale farmers and artisanal food processors who work in tandem with nature’s seasons. www.communitymarkets.biz.
About John Bell
John Bell is the founder of Transition Westchester and is currently a member of its Core team, as well as a member of Transition Ossining. He grew up in Houston, TX with the petrochemical industry in the air. Graduating from Rice University with a Ph.D. in chemistry, a yearlong post-doctoral at the University of Oxford in the UK showed him that there were alternatives to the car-centered, suburban lifestyle. He worked for nearly two decades in the chemical industry with refinery, agricultural and laundry chemicals as a research chemist. Getting a MBA before the turn of century, raised increasing uncomfortable questions about the relationship of economics to physical reality and the limits it imposes. The events of the last decade have reinforced for him the reality that the future will definitely not be a continuation of the past. www.transitionwestchester.org
About Mike Brady
President and CEO at Greyston Bakery, Brady is a forward-thinking executive, business adviser, and entrepreneur specializing in identifying and exploiting new business opportunities in high-growth and transitional industries. Michael served on the Board of Directors of the Greyston Foundation before being named President of the Bakery in January 2012. Driven by his interest to work with others making positive change in the world, he connected with Greyston after receiving a one of their brownies as a gift. Prior to joining Greyston, Michael launched the first incubator in the country dedicated to organic food production and distribution. He is a partner at BAO Food and Drink, an organic food manufacturer in New York City, and is an adviser to the American Sustainable Business Council. www.greystonbakery.com; baofoodanddrink.com
About Jon Zeltsman
Jon Zeltsman sees business as a force for change, noting: “Unless we build sustainable businesses, the changes we’re working towards won’t be sustainable.” An instinctive entrepreneur, he began his first company, Zeltsman Woodworking and Design, in 1974 and managed it for 18 years. Taking from his experience as both a designer and business owner, he went on to start a consulting firm for small manufacturing companies. His consulting projects included the opportunity to advise a group of displaced employees from the Ethan Allen company to start their own worker-owned furniture business in Vermont. During this time, he also grew his involvement with Community Markets, a farmers market management company founded in 1991 by his wife, Miriam Haas. His interest in food led him to complete a culinary certificate at the Institute of Culinary Education in NYC, a proven enhancement to his daily work with regional farmers and food producers. Today he is President of Community Markets and oversees the company’s financial operations and business development. www.communitymarkets.biz
Courtesy of Foodstalk, a New York City-based online platform to talk about local food, comes a beautiful series of images that capture the spirit of food and family. This one is for the love of Dads. This Sunday, June 17th, is Father’s Day. Community Markets salutes all the guys out there — Grandpas, Dads, and Dads-to-be one day — who keep us inspired by your dedication, humor, and grit.We’ll celebrate YOU this weekend at our farmers markets in various ways, including kids activities designed to craft a special gift for you, using only the finest farmers market ingredients. (WHAT could that be?? All we can promise is that it’s not socks.)
In the name of encouraging growing things — a kindred skill among farmers and fathers alike — Community Markets is happy to soon reopen a couple of our “babies” for the 2012 season. On Friday, June 22nd, we’ll kick off the 4th season of the New Rochelle Farmers Market. It takes place every Friday on the Library Green at Huguenot and Lawton Streets, from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm, through mid-November.
In the international neighborhood of Flushing, Queens, we have a market that is really growing up. On Friday, June 22nd, the Queen Botanical Garden Farmers Market will open for its 10th season. It runs every Friday on the sidewalk of Dahlia Avenue, at Main Street in Flushing, from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm. We invite Dads from around the world to come and see what they can cook up from this market!
This past weekend Community Markets opened nine farmers markets throughout the lower Hudson Valley and New York City. It was Memorial Day weekend and the first burst of summertime vacation days. In the midst of seeing old friends and meeting new neighbors, we snapped a photo of this little guy in Pleasantville. He captures the spirit of the market - and yes - of summer! We love how he has a *double* pickle-on-a-stick in one hand and a fruit pop in the other. That’s how we roll, too.
This time of year always feels like a beginning. Regional farmers are starting to harvest months of fresh food and their tables will vary with the nuances of the season. Just like the season is opening up, we’re happy to announce that Community Markets is expanding into new adventures, too. This weekend, on Sunday, June 3rd, we’re opening two new farmers markets in Brooklyn. You’ll find us at McGolrick Park in Greenpoint and Cooper Park in East Williamsburg. As with all our markets, we’ve worked hard on these venues to create a mix of vendors to offer a range of local products. The new shoppers in these communities will find fruits, vegetables, cheeses, eggs, meats, jams, and all sorts of baked goods. These markets will have the best in both sweet and savory, and if you want, you can have ‘em both at the same time…
Here’s to the long days of summer ahead for all of us!
As we get ready to open our 21st season (!) of the Ossining Farmers Market this Saturday, May 26th at 8:30 am, we’re loving this video from Editor Chris McHugh of the Ossining Patch about our past market.
The best quote? “Farmers markets are a way of life.”
Agreed - Let us know what else you like in this video and thank you to the Patch!
Contact: Frankie Rowland, Director of Marketing and Advertising
Office: 914-923-4837 x 202 Cell: 248-705-9481
True Food Words: At Community Markets’ Farmers Markets,
‘Local’ Means “To Market and Back in a Day”
Hudson Valley, NY (May 24, 2012) – As more people want to know our food sources, mass marketers are learning to imitate the call of courtship with words like “all-natural,” “sustainable,” and “artisanal.” How do we know what’s authentic?
With farmers markets by Community Markets, there’s the guarantee of an essential word: local. At their venues throughout the Hudson Valley and NYC, shoppers can buy directly from farmers and food producers, who are all ‘local’, meaning they travel “to market and back in a day.”
Starting on June 3rd, Community Markets is thrilled to bring two new farmers markets to Brooklyn: at McGolrick Park in Greenpoint and Cooper Park in East Williamsburg.
“Since 1991, when we started our first farmers market in Ossining, New York, the goal has always been to connect people directly with farmers. Even with our artisanal producers, we make sure that they source their ingredients from area farms. We’re doing our job when we’re able to help keep farms and local businesses healthy,” said Miriam Haas, Founder of Community Markets.
This year the company will run 15 farmers markets throughout Westchester and Rockland Counties and in four boroughs of New York City. Many Brooklyn shoppers will be familiar with their year-around outdoor market in Park Slope on 4th Street, off of 5th Avenue. Here are the full details for Community Markets’ opening weekend at the McGolrick Park and Cooper Park Farmers Markets, as well as the Park Slope market:
Cooper Park Farmers Market
When: Begins Sunday, June 3rd, and runs every Sunday through November 18th, 2012, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Along the sidewalk on Maspeth Avenue at Olive Street (Street Address: 114 Maspeth Ave)
Who: The vendors for the inaugural 2012 season: The Amazing Real Live Food Company, J. Glebocki Farms, Horman’s Best Pickles, Alex’s Tomato Farm, Tierra Farm, Anarchy in a Jar, Migliorelli Farm, and Wave Hill Breads.
McGolrick Park Farmers Market
When: Begins Sunday, June 3rd, and runs every Sunday through November 18th, 2012, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Where: Along the sidewalk on Russell Street, off of Nassau Avenue (Street Address: 130 Russell Street)
Who: The vendors for the inaugural 2012 season: Feather Ridge Farm, Brooklyn Cured, The Amazing Real Live Food Company, J. Glebocki Farms, Horman’s Best Pickles, Orwashers Bakery, Brooklyn Grange, Garden of Eve Farm, BeePharm, Tierra Farm, Mortgage Apple Cakes, Anarchy in a Jar, New Confectioner, Great Road Farm, Pie Lady & Son, and Valley Shepherd Creamery.
Park Slope Year-Around Farmers Market
When: Every Sunday from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: 4th Street off of 5th Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn
Who: Alex’s Tomato Farm, American Pride Seafood, The Amazing Real Live Food Company, Barry’s Tempeh, Benmarl Winery, Bombay Emerald Chutney Company, Bread Alone, Breezy Hill Orchard, Brooklyn Cured, Brooklyn Oenology, Calcutta Kitchens, D & J Organic Farm, Doctor Pickle, Feather Ridge Farm, Go-Go Pops, Hudson Valley Duck Farm, Jersey Farm Produce, Joseph Fisheries, Kontoulis Family Olive Oil, Made by Molly, Migliorelli Farm, Mortgage Apple Cakes, Orwasher’s Bakery, Tierra Farm, Valley Shepherd Creamery, and Yisroyal.
Since 1991, Community Markets has curated farmers markets in the Hudson Valley and NYC that offer shoppers a vibrant selection of local foods. Our vendors are family-scale farmers and artisanal food producers who work in tandem nature’s seasons. We are dedicated to three core goals: 1) Support local agriculture 2) Strengthen local communities and 3) Make fresh produce available to everyone.
For more information, please visit communitymarkets.biz.
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Nicole Reed
Community Markets
Manager: Media, Communications, and Special Projects
nreed@communitymarkets.biz
Office: 914-923-4837
Cell: 917-686-1251
Community Markets is excited to start the 8th season of our Morningside Park Farmers Market THIS Saturday, May 26th. Here are full details for opening day:
When: Begins Saturday, May 26th and runs every Saturday through December 8th, 2012, 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Where: 110th Street and Manhattan Avenue (Street address: Across from 250 Manhattan Avenue)
Who: Vendors returning for 2012 season: Bread Alone, Brooklyn Cured, Bombay Emerald Chutney Company, Horman’s Best Pickles, Alex’s Tomato Farm, Tierra Farm, Mortgage Apple Cakes, Migliorelli Farm, and Flour City Pasta.
New vendors to market: Acevedo’s Farm and American Pride Seafood (starting on Saturday, June 2nd)
Special event: Starting in July, as a special treat for shoppers at Morningside Park, Community Markets will host free yoga classes. We’re grateful to Lara Land of Land Yoga for her generous offer to teach yoga every Saturday, in July and August, from 11:30 am to 12:39 pm.
Since 1991, Community Markets has curated farmers markets that provide shoppers with an exciting diversity of local foods. Our vendors are family-scale farmers and artisanal food producers who work in tandem with nature’s seasons. We are committed to three core goals: 1) Creating economic opportunities for local farmers, processors, and consumers to trade with one another for mutual benefit; 2) Celebrating our food culture together to enhance community life; and 3) Cultivating knowledge, awareness, and practices among consumers and producers to build the local food economy. Visit communitymarkets.biz for more information.
True Food Words: At Community Markets’ Farmers Markets,
‘Local’ Means “To Market and Back in a Day”
Hudson Valley, NY (May 18, 2012) – As more people want to know our food sources, mass marketers are learning to imitate the calls of courtship with words like “all-natural,” “sustainable,” and “artisanal.” How are shoppers to know what’s authentic?
On Saturday, May 26th, Community Markets will open their 21st season of managing farmers markets with the guarantee of one essential word: local. At their venues throughout the Hudson Valley and NYC, shoppers can buy directly from farmers and food producers, who are all ‘local’, meaning they travel “to market and back in a day.”
“Since 1991, when we started our first farmers market in Ossining, New York, the goal has always been to connect people directly with farmers. Even with our artisanal producers, we make sure that they source their ingredients from area farms. We’re doing our job when we’re able to help keep farms and local businesses healthy,” said Miriam Haas, Founder of Community Markets.
This year the company will run 15 farmers markets. Here are the details for Community Markets’ opening weekend in Westchester and Rockland Counties, by market:
- Larchmont Farmers Market
When: Begins Saturday, May 26th and runs every Saturday through December 15th, 2012, 8:30 am – 1:00 pm
Where: Parking lot off Chatsworth Avenue, enter Myrtle Boulevard (Street Address: 122 Myrtle Blvd)
Who: Vendors returning for 2012 season: Thornwood Farm, Sugar & Spice Catering, Kontoulis Family Olive Oil, Orwashers Bakery, Orchards of Concklin, Flourish Baking Company, Calcutta Kitchens, Kiernan Farm, Christiane’s Backstube, Tierra Farm, Doc Pickle, Migliorelli Farm, Bombay Emerald Chutney Company, Plates, Coach Farm, Gaia’s Breath Farm, Newgate Farms, Lani’s Farm, and Trotta Pasta.
New vendors to market: American Pride Seafood, Maura and Nuccia, and Stone & Thistle Farm.
- Ossining Farmers Market
When: Begins Saturday, May 26th and runs every Saturday through December 15th, 2012, 8:30 am – 1:00 pm
Where: Parking lot on the corner of Spring & Main Streets (Street address: 7 Main Street)
Who: Vendors returning for 2012 season: Meredith’s Bread, Bread Alone, Feather Ridge Farm, Amazing Real Live/Chaseholm Creamery, R & G Produce, Bombay Emerald Chutney Company, Locust Grove Fruit Farm, Tierra Farm, Pura-Vida Fisheries, Mead Orchards, The Pastures, Chiboust, and Pickle Licious.
New vendors to market: Hudson River Apiaries, Eden Farm Greenhouses, and Mortgage Apple Cakes.
- Piermont Farmers Market (Rockland County)
When: Begins Sunday, May 27th and runs every Sunday through December 30th, 2012, 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
Where: M & T Bank Parking lot – Piermont Avenue & Ash Street (Street address: 527 Piermont Avenue)
Who: Vendors returning for 2012 season: Valley Shepherd Creamery, Benmarl Winery, Migliorelli Farm, Chiboust, Pika’s Farm Table, Bodhi Tree Farm, Tierra Farm, Doc Pickle, Bombay Emerald Chutney Company, Bread Alone, and Meredith’s Bread.
New vendors to market: John D. Madura Farms and Go-Go Pops.
- Pleasantville Farmers Market
When: Begins Saturday, May 26th and runs every Saturday through December 15th, 2012, 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
Where: Memorial Plaza off Manville Road (Street address: 42 Memorial Plaza)
Who: Vendors returning for 2012 season: Wiltbank Farm, Bobolink Dairy, Trotta Pasta, Benmarl Winery, Newgate Farms, Pickle Licious, Pika’s Farm Table, Go-Go Pops, Mead Orchards, Pura-Vida Fisheries, Tierra Farm, Kiernan Farm, Little Seed Gardens, Cowberry Crossing Farm, Bombay Emerald Chutney Company, Calcutta Kitchens, Amazing Real Live/Chaseholm Creamery, Kontoulis Family Olive Oil, Feather Ridge Farm, J & A Farm, Bialas Farms, Dutch Desserts, Bread Alone, Alpacatrax, Thornwood Farm, and Meredith’s Bread.
New vendors to market: Stefan’s Pure Blends, Eden Farms Greenhouses, Red Barn Bakery, and Warwick Valley Winery.
- Rye Farmers Market
When: Begins Sunday, May 27th and runs every Sunday through December 16th, 2012, 8:30 am – 1:00 pm
Where: Parking lot behind Purchase Street stores (Street address: 9 Theodore Fremd Ave)
Who: Vendors returning for 2012 season: Valley Shepherd Creamery, Fishkill Farms, Newgate Farms, Migliorelli Farm, Pika’s Farm Table, Go-Go Pops, Tierra Farm, Doc Pickle, Bombay Emerald Chutney Company, Kontoulis Family Olive Oil, Feather Ridge Farm, American Pride Seafood, Alpacatrax, and Meredith’s Bread.
New vendors to market: Eden Farms Greenhouses and Flourish Baking Company.
- Tarrytown Farmers Market
When: Begins Saturday, May 26th and runs every Saturday through November 17th, 2012, 8:30 am – 1:00 pm
Where: Patriot’s Park on N. Broadway (Route 9) Street address: 183 North Broadway
Who: Vendors returning for 2012 season: Brookside Farm, Pickle Licious, Maura and Nuccia, Mead Orchards, Tierra Farm, Orchards of Concklin, Amazing Real Live/Chaseholm Creamery, Bread Alone, and Meredith’s Bread.
New vendors to market: American Pride Seafood, Hudson River Apiaries, and Warwick Valley Winery.
In 2012, Community Markets celebrates our 21st year of creating marketplaces where neighbors come together to be entertained, relax, and engage with local food. For more information visit: communitymarkets.biz or contact Frankie Rowland: frowland@communitymarkets.biz or (914) 923-4837.
Get your mother’s day flowers in any of our markets this weekend!!
Maplecroft’s Climate Innovation Indexes (CIIs) – which rank 360 of the largest US companies according to their innovation of clean-tech solutions and new products, mitigation of climate change related risks and management of carbon emissions - was released earlier this morning.
The top 20 US…
