Armonk Church to Give Farmers Market a Go on Trial Basis
Armonk will get another chance at having a farmers market this fall.
The North Castle Town Board granted permission on July 22 for Hillside Church on Bedford Road to have a market on its grounds for a trial run for four consecutive Saturdays starting Sept. 12.
Hillside Church Pastor Matt Turner said he believes that an Armonk market can be successful and also help build a sense of community in town. When he previously worked in California, the local farmers markets were important local and family gatherings.
“One of the things we want to do is we want to prove that a farmers market can work in this community,” Turner said. “I think we all know there’s not enough parking downtown and so to put one downtown is not really feasible.”
If the market is successful, the church would request a more extensive run starting next spring, he said.
The Ossining-based Down to Earth Markets will oversee the operation, providing about 10 vendors each Saturday the market is open. Down to Earth Markets, which has been around for about 25 years, runs five other markets in Westchester – in Croton-on-Hudson, Larchmont, Rye, New Rochelle and Ossining, said Frankie Rowland, community relations manager for the company. Hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with an extra half-hour needed before and after to set up and clear the space.
Rowland said that products sold at the company’s markets comes only from local or regional farmers or other operations that grow their own food. Down to Earth Markets visits all of its vendors’ operations to make sure they’re abiding by its mission.
“There needs to be a strong local component,” Rowland said. “If they’re a farmer they need to be growing their food. There’s no reselling allowed. If there’s a food vendor, they need to have local ingredients as a large component.”
Vendors selected would sell fruits and seasonal vegetables, chicken, eggs, meats or fish, specialty items such as jellies and sauces and baked goods, Rowland said.
Among the goals for Down to Earth Markets is to build a market that reflects the community they are operating in and also guard against negatively affecting conventional shopkeepers.
“One of the objectives of our markets is not to impact the brick and mortar merchants surrounding our markets,” Rowland said.
Supervisor Michael Schiliro said the four-week trial run will help local merchants determine whether or not they would be affected by a farmers market. Merchants in communities that launch farmers markets are often concerned that it will take a toll on their bottom line.
“I think that’s a good way to take the temperature of everything,” Schiliro said of the limited set of dates.
About five years ago the town started a Thursday farmers market in the parking lot behind the stores on Main Street, but it did not fare well. It closed after one season.
Turner said he and the church have begun reaching out to local merchants. Most, but not all, have been supportive. He said the location should be far enough away from the downtown shops to not directly impact them.
The market would be located in the church’s lower parking lot. Visitors will use the upper lot, which has about 60 spaces, to park. The church anticipates no more than 50 visitors to the market at one time.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/