Pleasantville Farmers Market’s Indoor Season Begins Dec. 7

The Pleasantville Farmers Market, the largest farmers market in Westchester County, opens its 2nd indoor market season with over 40 vendors providing the highest quality regionally-grown foods, including humanely-raised meats, winter-grown vegetables, prepared foods sourced with regional ingredients, and many other offerings.

Ranked #1 in New York State in the American Farmland Trust 2013 I Love My Farmers Market Celebration during its recent 16th outdoor season, the Market aims to be just as popular with shoppers in its 2nd indoor season. Owned by the Village of Pleasantville and operated under contract by Foodchester, a non-profit, community-based organization created to run Pleasantville Farmers Market, the Market’s focus is to be attentive to community needs and visitor input. New products for this season include weekly Certified Organic produce, seafood take & bake options, and increased visits by some of our most popular rotating vendors.

Vibrant Year-round

 “We are thrilled to be able to continue providing access to popular new summer vendors while also bringing in some exciting additions.” says Peter Rogovin, President and Chairman of Foodchester. 

Of 40 participating vendors, these are new to indoor market this winter:

- Little Seed Gardens, Certified Organic produce

- Mead Orchards, 8-10 varieties of crisp apples, plus flash-frozen summer vegetables

- Raghoo Farms, whole chickens and parts, as well as goat, lamb, and duck

- Go-Go Pops, known mainly for ice pops, will also bring fresh soups and creative vegetable salads

- Spoonful of Sugar, gluten-free bakery

- Spice Revolution, exotic spices and herbs for home cooks, also premium hand crafted chocolates

- Drink More Good, artisanal soda syrups

- The Peanut Principle, gourmet peanut butters

- Pure Mountain Olive Oil, oils and balsamic vinegars from around the world (starts in January)

- Healing Home Foods, gluten-free granola, crackers and snacks

Also, to satisfy customer demand, Hudson Valley Duck and Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse will visit twice as often as last winter. 

“We learned a lot from past experience, and one thing we know is attendance used to plummet in December. Vendors are cold, customers are cold, and the ability to enjoy shopping comfortably while meeting up with neighbors was really diminished,” said Rogovin. Starting the Indoor Market in December this year helps customers stay warm while shopping for both staples and holiday items, including fresh wreaths, gingerbread cookies, beeswax candles and other farm-gifts items. Now shoppers and vendors can enjoy the delicious good time without Jack Frost nipping at their noses! 

Lets Hear It For Fresh Winter-grown Produce All Winter Long

“The addition of Little Seed Gardens and Mead Orchards at the Indoor Market ensures customers can continue summer habits, enjoying fresh foods and supporting regional farms all winter long,” says Steven Bates, Executive Director of Market Operations. “We know that the heart of a farmers market are the farmers, and especially those with produce, so we worked hard to expand fruit and vegetable offerings this winter.” Vendors for the winter selling grown and cellared fruit and vegetables include Little Seed Gardens (Certified Organic); Cowberry Crossing Farm (Certified Organic and Biodynamic); Madura Farms; Newgate Farms; and Mead Orchards. 

Special Visits, Unique Items

The Indoor Market has a number of rotating vendors and special events, which will be posted to the calendar at www.pleasantvillefarmersmarket.org as they develop. Some highlights are: 

- Wreaths and holiday decorations by Newgate Farms

- Cutting boards from regional woods by Living Edge Designs

- Health information by market sponsor Phelps Memorial Hospital Center

- Visiting community organizations

- Chefs demonstrations

- Knife sharpening by Harper Keehn

- Handspun local artisanal yarn by Maupston Design Studio

- Plants and flowers by Shawangunk Growers, Eden Farms Greenhouses, and The River Garden (spring) 

Promotional Partners

The Pleasantville Farmers Market involves Pleasantville non-profits and local businesses in the Market experience. With a Sponsor Program, and Business Supporter Program, the Market provides opportunities for businesses to connect to the large number of area residents and out-of-town visitors that visit the Market weekly. Additionally, the Market provides space for Pleasantville non-profits to highlight their programs when available. “We hope to continue to highlight school programs and student achievements whenever possible. We received many comments from out-of-town visitors last year about what a great community and school system we had” said market vice-chair, Stuart Vance. 

Peter Scherer, the Mayor of the Village of Pleasantville, said “We are proud to have not only the largest market in Westchester -- but also a great market that serves the community and brings thousands of people to visit Pleasantville.”

The Pleasantville Farmers Market is generously supported by Phelps Memorial Hospital Center, which is lead sponsor of health and sustainability programming, as well as Green Mountain Energy, a clean energy provider.

About Foodchester, Inc.

Foodchester, Inc., operator of the Pleasantville Farmers Market, is a Pleasantville-based non-profit organization dedicated to healthy communities, sustainable food systems, and local economic development. To subscribe to market news, view vendor lists, an interactive Map of the Market, and get directions and more details, visit www.pleasantvillefarmersmarket.org.