Summer has been acting like that house guest who has completely overstayed her welcome: it’s been here for nearly 5 months and, until recently, has shown no signs of leaving!

Today’s chillier, rainy weather may have elicited groans and snooze buttons from some, but I was actually excited to wake up to a dreary Monday. It means that Fall is here—or at least coming our way. I was in New England this weekend and drove past some seriously stunning foliage. We’re probably 1-2 weeks way from our own orange, red, and yellow leaves! There were plenty of signs of Fall at last week’s Tucker Square Greenmarket. I saw and bought pumpkins, pears, and gourds, as well as summer’s last pepper and squash harvest.

This farmers market is a weekday staple for residents and professionals on the Upper West Side. Wedged in between Columbus Avenue and 66^th Street, visitors can see the Lincoln Center when looking one way and the American Folk Art Museum when looking the other. It was easy to become caught up in the hustle and energy. I walked to the market from Midtown, so my stroll took me along Central Park West, past the Time Warner Center, and then right beside the Lincoln Center. Nestled in between these amazing sources of art and culture is a market full of passionate farmers.

Stokes Farm’s stand is located at the top corner of the market. Their flavorful products are accompanied by helpful signs and tips. Last week, they were selling heirloom tomatoes, many varieties of eggplants, cut flowers, mums, and peppers. As you walk further into the market, you’ll pass (and hopefully stop at!) Bobolink and Ashnan Farms. I made a pit stop at Prospect Hill Orchards’ stand, which was like ‘one stop’ Fall shopping: maple syrup, apples, pears, pumpkins and gnarly gourds.

Along with me, shoppers included a variety of retirees, professionals, and students. This market not only provides much of what you need for a complete meal—it energizes you enough to go home and make that meal!

For a more complete list of market vendors, go here. Tucker Square is open year round each Thursday and Saturday from 8-5 pm.

Happy Marketing!

-Meaghin

This article is also published on Cheery Observations.

Maybe you wander around and see what looks good that day.  Perhaps you go with a set shopping list or even have relationships with certain farmers.  Everyone who shops the Union Square Greenmarket has a slightly different approach.

Union Square Greenmarket is eponymous with an integrated urban farmers market.  The market was created by Barry Benepe and Bob Lewis in 1976. At the time, Benepe had a rich history working with farmers.  Together with planner Bob Lewis, they aimed to help both the struggling local farmers and the equally challenged city residents. The union between the city and farmers was both natural and necessary.

In the 1970s, Union Square and its surrounding area was decidedly not the bustling cultural melting pot and tourist destination it is today.  The park was a haven for drug dealers.  When I visited Oak Grove Plantation this summer, Ted Blew recounted hearing gun shots every morning and watching the police sit in their cars and wait. 

In 1975, Benepe and Lewis traveled the surrounding New Jersey and New York counties, recruiting farmers for the inaugural market.   They found 12 farms willing to drive to Manhattan and sell their produce.  The markets’ first day was a resounding success: Stokes Farm reports that they sold out within hours.  In hindsight, that first day foreshadowed the positive impact the market continues to have on the New York community and its regional foodshed.

Over time, the market has expanded to its current operation of year round, four days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday).  It’s a market that city residents depend on, despite the weather or season.  

Union Square Greenmarkmarket’s presence helped make the neighborhood safer for residents and visitors.  Farmers and customers started to form relationships.  Restaurants and farmers started to form partnerships.  Danny Meyer intentionally opened his first restaurant, Union Square Café, beside Union Square Market.  He wanted to be within walking distance of all that the market could provide.

Each market day has a slightly different feel.  In fact, the market feels different depending on what time you visit!  In the early morning, no matter the day, the Greenmarket is full of focused shoppers, armed with shopping lists and recipe ideas, often excited not only for the pick of the products but a quick chat with a favorite farmer.  The early morning is also when restaurants, sometimes the chefs themselves, visit the market, picking up pre-ordered food or buying what looks particularly delicious that day as inspiration for their menu.

During the weekday, the lunch hour results in a flurry of workers shopping and eating while on their break.  The market tends to slow down slightly in the afternoon before one last burst of energy at the end of the day.  Saturdays at Union Square Greenmarket mean that the farmers are busy the entire day.  The market atmosphere is festive and cramped (and certainly not for those who get squeamish around crowds.  If you’re trying to simply shop, it can be hard to cut around the tourists and those transecting the Square to reach their final destination.

When all four days are combined, Union Square hosts over 120 different farmers and artisans.  The market is the definition of one-stop shopping: seasonal fruits and vegetables, heirloom varieties, heirloom and pasture raised meats, flowers, jams, honey, eggs, plants, cider, milk. 

If you have time, make sure you walk the entire market before making a purchase (unless it’s early in the heirloom tomato season or its ramp season—then go for it!).  It’s important to investigate what each farmer to learn what looks best that day.

A good day at Union Square Market can translate to a good day in general.  When I visit Union Square, I usually stumble across an unexpected item, either for a snack or a change in direction for my planed dinner.

Remember—enjoy the vibe, enjoy the hustle, but also take the time to explore, duck into new farm tents, and most importantly talk to the vendors.  Many have risen at 3 am to load their trucks, and most stick around until 6 pm.  Take a moment to tell a farmer what you made with their ingredient or how sweet, tart, flavorful, or delicious an ingredient tasted. 
 
For up to the minute updates, follow the Union Square Twitter account.  They’re proactive about responding to specific questions and tweeting about any pertinent farmer updates.

Happy Marketing!

-Meaghin

*For more lovely pictures from our market visit, check out Jamie Beck’s photography blog, From Me to You and What is Fresh’s Flickr account.

When:

Fridays: Dooryard Garden: 1-2 PM for members at the Seedling level and above; 2-4 PM for the general public.

Saturdays: Courtyard: 1-4 PM for the general public

Sundays: Dooryard Garden: 1-2 PM for members at the Seedling level and above; 2-4 PM for the general public.

What: 

A lovingly picked, just harvested selection of Stone Barns’ fruits and vegetables. This past Saturday, produce for sale include purslane, bok choi, beets, carrots, and garlic.  Other items available included bagged herbal teas, chicken, and the freshest eggs out there! 

According to several of the staff, Stone Barns Market is concentrating on selling their own product.  The only outside vendor, Red Barn Bakery, was handpicked by Dan Barber.  Even though I had just eaten, their table of pies, cakes, and cookies made lunch a distant memory.  The fresh peach and blueberry pies alone are worth a drive or train ride up and back!

Once a month, a second outside vendor—Maine’s Port Clyde Fresh Catch—also sells at Stone Barns Market. Their next visit is Sunday, July 25th.

As mentioned in our feature on Stone Barns this past Spring, the center is a short trip from Manhattan or Brooklyn, via car or train.  You won’t regret escaping the city heat to spend a day wandering among the chickens, vegetables, pigs, and flowers!  Especially since you can now come home with a few extra treats.

Upcoming Event:

August 7 and 8th: Summer on the Farm Weekend
(Language from their flyer)

“Celebrate the delicious summer harvest.  Stop by our tasting table, learn how to make pickles, dig in for a potato harvest, take a canning or seed saving class.”

More information available HERE

Happy Marketing!

-Meaghin

Make sure to click here so we show up in Tumblr’s Food Directory!

July signaled the opening of several new farmer’s markets, including Washington Heights, World Financial Center, and the Andaz Wall Street Farmers’ Market.  This weekend, I subwayed over to the Andaz-the latest addition to the market scene-to check out the vibe, crowd, and vendors.

The Andaz Farmers’ Market is currently the only farmers’ market in New York City created and operated by a hotel.  Owned by the Hyatt, the Andaz hotel chain currently runs a handful of hotels around the world, including locations in London, San Diego, and Hollywood.  The Andaz brand aims to cater to a specific kind of traveler.  A recent stay at London’s Andaz Liverpool felt unlike any other hotel experience I’ve had:  stand out features included a free-flowing check in, bold art, stellar restaurants, and a sophisticated clientele.

There are two Andaz hotels in NYC, the Wall Street location and 5th Avenue.  The 5th Avenue Andaz appears to be in tune with the local appetite for artisanal, small batch products, selling Blue Bottle coffee and Mast Brothers Chocolate in the their store.

The Andaz Wall Street straddles an interesting position.  During the week, Wall Street is alive with traders, bankers, and market movers.  It’s quite easy to imagine the Andaz as a gathering spot for business travelers.  During the weekend, Wall Street empties its streets of locals and becomes clogged with tourists. Despite the growth of residential developments and the assignment of a neighborhood acronym, the “FiDi” is rarely a pleasant place to visit during the weekend as a local.

The Andaz Hotel and its subsequent Farmers’ Market aim to bridge Wall’s Street’s gap between tourist destination, high-end business establishment, and local residence.  According to the New York Times In Transit blog, the original idea for the farmers’ market was generated by Maximo Lopez May, the hotel’s executive chef, and Joel Patraker, the hotel’s purchasing manager. 

The participating vendors supply Wall & Water, the hotel’s restaurant, with their products.  As added incentive, the Andaz doesn’t charge the vendors for their booths.

Opening day’s vibe was one of tentative excitement.  A three-piece folk band played, surrounded by produce stacked and arranged to perfection. Migliorelli’s tent couldn’t have looked more appealing, piled high with gnarly carrots and crates of juicy peaches.  The market is located in a picturesque courtyard beside the hotel.  The trees and shade created a pleasant browsing experience.  Though small, one could easily leave the market with nearly everything they need—jam, eggs, cheese, bread, fish, and a wide selection of fruits and vegetables.

Current vendors at the Andaz Market include: (click on each vendor’s name to learn more about them)

Beth’s Farm Kitchen
Migliorelli Farm
Quattro’s Game Farm
Orwasher’s Bakery
Joseph’s Fisheries

In addition, Wall & Water set up a tent serving melon soup and offering restaurant coupons.  In the future, according to Food and Wine, Chef May will conduct cooking classes, presumably at the same tent.  According to Shainna Ziegler, Public Relations Manager for New York’s Andaz Hotels, a great deal of interest has been generated among vendors and farmers, but at this stage they have yet to determine who else might be joining the market in the future.

The Andaz Wall Street Farmers’ Market is open each Saturday from 8:00-3:00, through November 20th.  I encourage you to go down, shop and chat with the vendors, and help to merge the gap between Wall Street’s tourists and locals.

Check out our Summer Market Flickr set, to view more images from the Andaz Market and other New York farmers markets.

Happy Marketing!

-Meaghin