Support local growers, buy just-harvested produce from nearby sources, get to know your farmers, promote sustainable practices and immerse yourself in the vibrancy of your community – these are only a few of the benefits of joining the bourgeoning locavore (locally grown food) movement as you make the rounds of our county’s numerous farmers’ markets.
Here is a roundup of Westchester’s best farmers’ markets. From large and bustling to miniature and mellow, try to visit several throughout the season.
DESTINATION MARKETS
Plenty of Fun Awaits at These Bustling Venues
PLEASANTVILLE
The county’s most prolific market and a favorite of many, Pleasantville and activities for the kids. The plaza closes to vehicular traffic allowing shoppers to mingle and chat while sampling artisanal cheeses and making their selections from a cornucopia of colorful produce.
Vendors – more than 50
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 23-Nov. 21.
Memorial Plaza by the Train Station, Pleasantville.
pleasantvillefarmersmarket.org
JOHN JAY HISTORIC HOMESTEAD
This market breaks from the common practice of holding farmers’ markets in parking lots with the bucolic setting of one of the county’s historic farms as its backdrop. Cultivating a truly old-fashioned market experience, the Homestead Market encourages its patrons to forge an authentic connection with the hyper-local growers, artisans and producers who come to hawk their wares each week. Beyond shopping for kohlrabi and kale, visitors have the opportunity to explore the 62-acre property’s flower, herb and vegetable gardens, try their hand at churning butter, check out five hands-on discovery centers, or simply enjoy a hike along a woodland trail.
Vendors – about 40
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 13-Oct. 31.
John Jay Homestead, 400 Jay St., Katonah.
THE NEW ROCHELLE GRAND
Launched in 2013 as part of the New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District (BID), the New Rochelle Grand is exactly that – a grand outdoor market featuring everything from fresh produce to specialty food carts, local micro brews, luscious baked goods and even a knife sharpening service. This Saturday market is a hive of activity that extends beyond shopping with a rotating schedule of live music, children’s activities and performances, outdoor yoga classes, gardening seminars and cooking demonstrations.
Vendors – about 20
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 30-Oct. 31.
Library Green, 1 Lawton St., New Rochelle.
HASTINGS
With its tag line of “the most fun you’ll ever have in a parking lot,” the Hastings market, having opened in 1998, was one of Westchester’s first. The market has flourished in subsequent years and has become a destination for 2,000 shoppers each week from around the county and as far away as the Upper West Side. Boasting a fabulous view of the Hudson, this bustling market has a spirited social vibe – neighbors chat while kids run in and out of the library and local bands fill the air with music. Offerings are abundant and vendors feature everything from local bee pollen to homemade jams and preserves.
Vendors – about 40
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June-Nov. 28.
Hastings Library Parking Lot, 7 Maple Ave., Hastings-on-Hudson.
IRVINGTON
Long held on Wednesday afternoons, this popular market is moving to Sunday mornings this season after testing the weekend waters last fall. The change has brought a fresh energy to the market, ushering in a new throng of patrons alongside loyal regulars. The market’s look has also been revamped, with updated signage and a sparkling new website. Also introduced this year is the motto, “Are you cooking yet?” In keeping with this concept, market tours and cooking demos that focus on helping shoppers ease into new ingredients will happen regularly. All-day kickball on the nearby field, library story times, and weekly jam sessions by local musicians round out the fun, making it easy to stretch your visit into the afternoon and grab lunch from one of the several tents showcasing local restaurants.
Vendors – about 20
Sundays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 31-Nov. 22.
Main Street School Parking Lot, 110 Main St., Irvington.
TARRYTOWN-SLEEPY HOLLOW – TASH
After several years of being one of the county’s smaller markets, the TaSh farmers’ market will open this season with three times the number of vendors, including the ever-popular uber-local Coffee Labs Roasters. The goal of the organizers is to transform the Patriot’s Park location into a vibrant, village green where community members will gather to shop, picnic, enjoy music and participate in other locallyminded events. A selection of prepared foods will be offered from a rotating range of vendors each week in addition to prolific market offerings from growers and producers around New York State.
Vendors – about 25
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. From May 23.
Patriot’s Park, Rte. 9, Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow.
MUSCOOT FARM
Now in its 8th year, the farmers’ market at Muscoot Farm is a great place to spend a Sunday. With an excellent variety of vendors spread across the farm’s front lawn offering goods from lush produce to fresh pasta to fragrant lavender, families can shop and have a picnic lunch before enjoying a hike, visiting the animals or touring the farm’s new nature center. In addition to the market, Muscoot offers a host of family programs on Sundays throughout the season featuring everything from sheep shearing and bird watching to guided hikes and crafting workshops.
Vendors – about 25 Sundays,
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. From May 10.
Muscoot Farm, Rte. 100, Katonah.
CHAPPAQUA
For a market that has only been around for five years, Chappaqua has all the accouterments of one of the best. Another success of Pascale Le Draoulec, director of the Hastings and Irvington markets, Chappaqua’s charming fete enjoys the ambience of meandering along a European promenade. Vendor tents are arranged in a semi-circle in the train station’s parking lot and the large, grassy lawn in the center offers the perfect venue for kids’ activities. Community swaps are another frequent sight and locals come to trade gently used items like sports equipment and Halloween costumes throughout the season.
Vendors – about 40
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. From May 16.
Chappaqua Train Station, Chappaqua.
SMALLER, BUT JUST AS SWEET
Good Things Come in Small Packages If crowds overwhelm you try these smaller, but just as wonderful markets.
LARCHMONT
Vendors – about 15
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fresh summer fruit is a mainstay at local farmers’ markets. May 9-Dec. 19.
Metro North Parking area off Chatsworth Ave, Larchmont.
NEW ROCHELLE
Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 5-Nov. 20.
Huguenot Park/Twin Lakes, New Rochelle.
RYE
Vendors – about 15
Sundays, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 24-Dec. 20.
Parking lot on Theodore Fremd Avenue, Rye.
WHITE PLAINS INTERNATIONAL FARMERS’ MARKET
Vendors – about 20
Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 29-Nov. 25.
Court Street between Main Street and Martine Avenue, White Plains.
facebook.com Friends of White Plains Farmers Market
Gina DeCaprio Vercesi is a Westchester-based educator and mother, and creator of the Kids Unplugged program. kidsunplugged.org.
