Farmers Markets Conjure Summer's Great Awakening

Fresh fruit, pickles, artisan breads, smoked meat, just-picked vegetables, biscotti, fresh-roasted nut butters and, of course, samples of nearly everything drew crowds this weekend as the summer farmers markets opened in Dobbs Ferry and Hastings.

DOBBS FERRY

Though smaller in scale, Dobbs Ferry's Friday market is hard to miss, as its tents are now pitched on Cedar Street in the center of town.  The five vendors participating in Dobbs Ferry's market this year are: Benmarl Winery; Pickles, Olives etc.; Westchester Greenhouses and Farms; Big Girl Baking Co. and Hoboken Farms, a company that makes freshly baked bread products and prepared foods.

"The farmers market is wonderful because it really promotes community and brings people to the downtown area," Bettina Speyer, the market's organizer, said on opening day. "I love that residents meet at the market, sit down for coffee and then browse the shops in town."

While some vendors have been part of the Dobbs Ferry market for years, such s Westchester Greenhouse and Farms, others are here for the first time.

"We're excited to be in Dobbs Ferry for the first time because our product is so unique and, we think, appealing to people here," Bruce Negron, market manager for Hoboken Farms, said. "We have a number of healthy prepared meals such as chicken pot pie and pizzas, so people can shop here and plan wholesome meals for their families."

Big Girls Baking Co. is based out of Yonkers, and if anything the "Big Girl" trio is bigger in personality than anything else.  The sisters, Aimee, Jody and Regina Milano take pride in offering unique blends of sweet and savory ingredients.

"Everything is baked by hand," Regina said. "And we only use natural and organic ingredients."

Some of the sisters' favorites include: original recipe cheesecake, olive oil teacake, flat breads and granolas.  They also have a line of gluten-free products that can be requested for the following week. 

Westchester Greenhouses and Farms has been at the Dobbs Ferry market the longest, offering an impressive array of fresh and local fruits and vegetables.

"We follow a strict protocol of where we get our produce," Joe Chiocci, the Hartsdale-based farm's manager, said.  "First, we take produce from our own farms.  Next, we buy from other local farms in Westchester.  The third place we go is to farms up-state, and as a last resort we buy from out-of-state."

Besides a few citrus fruits, Chiocci said the majority of their produce this year is local. 

Westchester Greenhouses and Farms has also set up a unique barter system with the village of Dobbs Ferry to pay he small fee for their market space.

"Westchester Greenhouse provides flowers for the village in return for the space," Speyer said.  She also noted that the village has been especially gracious about not enforcing parking rules in the nearby lot on market days.

Dobbs Ferry's Farmers Market runs from June-Oct. on Cedar Street from 10am-4pm.

Hastings market took off in full force Saturday with nearly 30 vendors, live music and children's storytelling. 

Newcomers to the market this year include: The Jam Man, Tierra Farms, Calcutta Farms and Buddapesto, which market coordinator Pascale Le Draoulec said makes "the best pesto sauce in the world."

Located in the parking lot behind the municipal building, La Draoulec believes the market's river views and bustling, friendly atmosphere has kept the farmers market going strong for 12 seasons. 

"We're very community oriented here, offering activities for the kids such as storytelling, crafts and yoga, while their parents shop," she said. 

The Jam Man offers such exotic jam flavors as: pear raspberry, vanilla pear and apricot jalapeño.

"I have different favorites depending on what I'm pairing them with," Steve Geisel, The Jam Man, said.  "But I make them all myself and they're all delicious."

Tierra Farms is a small nut and nut butter company that also roasts all of their nutritious delicacies.

"We slow roast all our nuts without added oils," said co-manager Adina Benno. "We're not in a rush to put the best product out there."

Of course, all market staples such as: fresh-baked bread, scones, fresh fruit and vegetables and various prepared items also abound at the Hastings Market.

Hastings Farmers Market runs from June-Oct at 7 Maple Ave. from 9am-1pm.