3-Way Pleasantville Partnership Funnels Fresh Local Food to the Needy

PLEASANTVILLE, NY — Having moved back outside in April, the Pleasantville Farmers Market is getting into full swing at Memorial Plaza for its 20th outdoor season. Recognized as the county’s best farmers market by Westchester Magazine in 2014, 2015 and 2016, the market attracts an average of over 3,000 visitors every Saturday and has become a major regional destination. But there's a lesser known side as well.

“We’re especially proud of the meaningful community partnerships that have developed to help keep top quality food accessible to those who need it most,” says Steven Bates, Executive Director of Market Operations, Foodchester, Inc, the non-profit operator of the Pleasantville Farmers Market.

One of those partnerships is with the Pleasantville Lions Club, a market sponsor. For the second year in a row the Lions Club has provided a generous grant for customers using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) electronic cards at the Market. Thanks to this grant, shoppers using SNAP benefits automatically receive 40 percent more value as Bonus Bucks — ensuring that families and individuals have access to fresh, healthy nutritious food.

“The Pleasantville Lions are excited to partner with the Pleasantville Farmers Market to help provide fresh food options to the members of our community," said Michael Cusack, President of The Pleasantville Lions. "We’re a small part of the larger effort within Pleasantville which aims to help those in need. Whether through the Interfaith Food Pantry, The Pleasantville Community Garden, vendor donations at the Market or the support of SNAP by our organization, it takes all of us together to help ensure those who face challenges putting a meal on their table are able to do so.”

Also, Foodchester is in the third year of a partnership with the Pleasantville Community Garden.

At the end of the Market day, Garden volunteers collect donated food from vendors, which is added to what the Garden grows or collects from other sources — and it is all donated to the Hillside Food Pantry. Shoppers also have an opportunity to donate produce to a collection bin at the Managers Tent, which the Garden gathers and delivers to Hillside as well.

“Thanks in large part to the Market’s farmers, who don’t live here but are generous beyond any expectation, we’ve contributed over 30,000 pounds of produce and fruit to county residents since we began in 2014,” said Devin Juros, the 16-year-old Pleasantville Community Garden founder.

“This is truly a situation where complementary efforts are coming together – we’re each other’s missing pieces” says Peter Rogovin, President and Chairman of Foodchester, Inc. “The Lions raise money to help in the community but were seeking a channel for direct service. The Garden has volunteers and contacts with food pantries, but lacked enough food. We have the tech to offer SNAP at the Market and generous vendors with food. The teamwork that has developed between our community organizations has connected everyone’s strengths to a shared mission, and that is the very definition of partnership.”

The Market shares Memorial Plaza with the Pleasantville Garden Club Annual Plant Sale on May 13, and is closed May 20 for the Village-wide Pleasantville Day. The Market then reopens May 21, which is when another summer of weekly programs (Culinary, Music, Kids events) begins. At that time all remaining seasonal vendors (ie: North Winds Lavender Farm, J&A Farm) will join as well.

The Market’s complete vendor roster is available at pleasantvillefarmersmarket.com, along with a map and a list of the week’s rotating vendors.

PHOTO/Pleasantville Farmers Market