Islip Grange: Perfect Fit for Farmer's Market

The Islip Grange is bustling with activity this summer with fresh fruits and vegetables, handpicked flowers, homemade chips and dips and locally roasted coffee.

It’s the new home of the Sayville Farmer’s Market, where you will find goodies every Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. through October.

The market moved from across the street from the railroad station last year and many vendors say the new spot is much more desirable. It’s not just about a new location, though.

There are plenty of new vendors to catch on the weekends. Aly Organic Breads serves up locally made breads available in regular or half loaves. Papa's Farm & Greenhouses of Central Islip and Stan Pat Farms of Manorville set up shop in Sayville every Saturday with a great selection of flowers, produce and more. Papa’s Farm also carries North Fork Potato Chips and Franny Farkle Preserves.

Sweet Melissa Dips was filled with shoppers waiting to get a taste of her offerings. Melissa Dunstatter, known by most as “The Dip Lady,” had samples on hand of her dips and homemade goat cheese (blueberry, fig, and more) for all to enjoy. Melissa has been in business for six years and offers 450 different varieties of dips, marinades, rubs and salad dressings. Many of her products are gluten free and almost everything is grown on her one-acre farm. Sweet Melissa’s dips, rubs, oil mixes and marinades cost $4 per package or 3 for $10. Her hot sauces cost between $6 and $10 a bottle.

“This is my first year in Sayville and business has been excellent every weekend,” Melissa said. “It is good exposure for me, as my dips are well known in Nassau but not as much on the South Shore.” Melissa shows at 260 different shows per year and also attends other local farmer’s markets.

Showing off his wares next door was Bill Closson of Patchogue-based Roast Coffee and Tea Trading Company. Roast, which opened its doors about 10 months ago, is a local micro roasting shop. It roasts beans three to four times per week to guarantee their freshness. The store imports beans from all over the world.

“All of our coffees are single origin, not blends,” Closson said. “That way you can get the true flavor of the coffee bean and you can control the roast.” The company also imports teas from around the world via a local importer. Large bags of coffee are $15 each, and smaller bags can be purchased for $8.

Aside from supporting local farmers and businesses, the Sayville Farmer’s Market has another purpose. The money raised is used to help fund the Backpack Pirates. According to organizer Ken Mangan, $500 goes toward the organization every market.