Pleasantville Farmers' Market On for Saturday

The following is an announcement from Community Markets. Have an announcement you'd like to share? Click here. 

As the New York City region emerges from the darkness after Super Storm Sandy, here at Community Markets, we're getting updates from our vendors on the damage to their farms and food businesses. In some cases, such as with Garden of Eve Farm near Riverhead, Long Island, the damage was limited to fallen branches and wind tossed plants. 

Other vendors, however, have suffered greater destruction, and we're sad to learn of the loss of Brooklyn Grange Bees. Brooklyn Grange, the world's largest rooftop farming operation, has fed the shoppers of our McGolrick Park Farmers Market all summer with their carefully-tended braising greens and fairytale eggplants.

Prior to the storm, they were also developing the biggest commercial apiary in New York City. Almost all of their hives got washed away on Monday when the East River waters surged. So far, Farm Manager Michael Meier, has been able to save the one surviving hive—here's a video of him in action. We're inspired by the Brooklyn Grange's determination, best summed up by this quote they posted yesterday: "This is one of those times you either throw your hands up and walk away or you double down. We're doubling down." 

As advocates for a strong regional food system, so are we. We're working hard to get all of our markets up and running as of tomorrow, Friday, November 2nd. It looks like they are all happening as planned. Please stay tuned to our website homepage, our Twitter feeds and our Facebook page for up to the minute updates. 

It's also time for the local food movement to double down. While climate change is still debated in some corners, even Governor Cuomo acknowledges that "These are extreme weather patterns. The frequency is increasing." When we look to the causes of climate change, two factors include 1) the burning of fossil fuels and 2) the use of chemical fertilizers. As part of the solution and not the problem, every week our farmers markets hosts vendorswho drive "to market and back in a day." They are farmers and food producers who cut a short - and transparent! -path from their food to our plate. As thoughtful stewards of the land we share, they grow their crops as naturally as possible. In light of the storm damage this week, they need our collective support now more than ever. 

Mayor Bloomberg declared that all cars driving into Manhattan must have at least three passengers. This rule may make some drivers grumpy, but it has an important point: It's time to come together. From the team at Community Markets and all our vendors, we look forward to being with you at our farmers markets this week.

The Pleasantville Farmers' market takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays through December 15. This weekend, looking for apple tastings and Chefs for the Marcellus at the Community Table. This weekend's day vendors include: Benmarl Winery and Warwick Valley Winery.