Indoor Farmers Market to Open in Pleasantville This Saturday
The Pleasantville Farmers Market, voted Best Farmers Market by Westchester Magazine in 2014, launches its third indoor season this Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Pleasantville Middle School cafeteria.
The market continues to focus on presenting shoppers with the most diverse selection of foods possible, including more fresh winter-grown vegetables, humanely-raised meats and regionally-sourced prepared foods. It will also carry items stored from the recent outdoor growing season such as crisp apples, squash, root vegetables, cheeses, honey and preserves.
“While we are always striving toward improvement, we feel that the market is extremely
vibrant and healthy as we enter our third indoor season,” said Peter Rogovin, president and chairman of Foodchester, Inc., the nonprofit organization that runs the market. “We
have a strong mix of vendors, all of whom are committed to the success of the market by bringing the highest quality goods and their substantial knowledge to our shoppers every week.”
For the upcoming season there are two new vendors: Neversink Farm, and the gluten-free baker Jake’s Cakes. Neversink Farm will join Little Seed Gardens and Cowberry Crossing Farm to provide the widest range of certified organic, fresh winter-grown produce in the region.
Jake’s Cakes will offer sweet and savory treats created within its dedicated gluten-free kitchen.
In addition, Forty Weight Coffee Roasters and Dancing Spirits Herbs, newcomers at the recently concluded outdoor market, will be on hand.
This month, the indoor market will have a festive selection of gift items including Living Edge Design’s unique cutting boards and Shawangunk Grower’s paperwhites, amaryllis bulbs and decorative wreathes.
Expanding the Reach of the Market’s Offerings
This Saturday, market sponsor TD Bank will distribute reusable shopping bags for the first 250 shoppers. It will also be highlighting its support of the market’s new Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to begin on Dec. 20.
Thanks to a generous grant from TD Bank, people using SNAP benefits to pay for food will be provided with an “accelerator” to maximize their purchasing abilities. The technology used for SNAP will also enable all market customers to receive Farmers Market Bucks off their debit cards.
“One of the frequent questions we receive from customers is where to find a local ATM,” explained Steven Bates, executive director of market operations. “Now, customers won’t have to leave the market if they need additional money.”
Market bucks obtained by debit card customers can be used at any vendor within the market. Patrons can also purchase Market Bucks to give as gifts certificates.
The market is also partnering with the Pleasantville Community Garden built on the grounds of St. John’s Episcopal Church. The garden has provided fresh fruits and vegetables to the Hillside Food Outreach in Pleasantville.
“To aid this effort, farmers from the market are contributing leftover produce to also go to the Hillside Food Outreach,” Bates said. “Thanks to the generosity of our local farmers, who understand the importance – and often the difficulty – of fulfilling a basic human need, we have been able to contribute an additional 340 pounds of produce and fruit.”
Volunteers from The Pleasantville Community Garden will pick up leftover food and arrange for delivery to Hillside.
The Pleasantville Farmers Market will be open Saturdays through May 9 at Pleasantville Middle School, located at 40 Romer Ave., from 9 p.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, visit www.pleasantvillefarmersmarket.org.
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