Ossining's Down to Earth Farmers Market Strives to be Free of Plastic Shopping Bags as of September 27th

September 2014 (Ossining, NY) – On Saturday, September 27th, the Ossining Farmers Market will begin a new era in its 23-year history: The Era of No Plastic Shopping Bags.

Down to Earth Markets, the manager of this market and 18 others in the region, estimates that at least 64,000 single-use plastic bags leave the Ossining market every year. The company encourages customers to Bring Your Own Bag a.k.a. BYOBag.

As of September 27th, market vendors will charge $0.10 for every point-of-sale shopping bag with handles, with the expectation to phase out plastic shopping bags with time. (Note: As of now, clear plastic produce bags will continue to be given out for fish, pickles, and other foods with liquid.)

“Ossining is our longest-running farmers market and our home. The community here is telling us that they want to be at the forefront of the movement to reduce plastic waste,” said Frankie Rowland, Community Relations Director at Down to Earth Markets.

Down to Earth Markets is collaborating with several groups to advance this change, including ECOBAGS®, the Ossining-based pioneers of reusable cloth bags; Riverkeeper, New York’s clean water advocate; and Green Ossining, the community-based organization of sustainable living.

Together these groups offer events and educational outreach at the market to share about the environmental perils of plastic. On September 20th and 27th, shoppers are invited to donate their extra reusable bags to the Ossining market manager. The manager will offer these bags for shoppers to use instead of plastic. For every bag donated, the giver can enter a raffle for a $25 gift certificate to the Ossining Farmers Market. Also, Green Ossining plans to host a “T-Shirt to Tote” workshop at the market, teaching all how to transform old t-shirts into reusable bags. Please visit the Event Calendar at DowntoEarthMarkets.com for full details.

Ossining’s Down to Earth Farmers Market takes place every Saturday, at the corner of Spring and Main Streets, from 8:30 am-1:00 pm, all year around. (Winter market opens at 9 am.) It brings together local farmers and food makers who sell seasonal produce; pasture-raised meats, poultry, and eggs; fresh breads and baked goods; artisanal cheese; pickles; prepared foods to go, and more.

Down to Earth Farmers Markets is a certified B (Beneficial) Corporation that manages farmers markets in Westchester County, Rockland County, and in New York City. We believe that seasonal, local food is a vital part of our heritage that ensures the health of our communities and environment. Visit DowntoEarthMarkets.com for weekly vendor details and event updates for the Ossining Farmers Market.