New Outdoor Mamaroneck Farmers’ Market Instant Hit

If the first day of the Mamaroneck Farmers' Market, Tuesday, was any indication, it's an instant success in feeding the community's growing need for fresh and local produce. Not to mention inexpensive and beautiful.

"The peaches were picked this morning," said Greg Pinelli at Migliorelli Farm's tent.

Bites into some of the sweetest, juiciest peaches to be had all summer were causing shoppers, hearing rapturous sighs, to load up at all the produce stands.

Weekday marketing

The market is located at Harbor Island Park, where Mamaroneck Avenue meets the Boston Post Road,  and sets up every Tuesday, rain or shine, from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., until  Nov. 23.

It provides opportunity to shop at a farmers' market during the week and after work—making it an extension of Larchmont's market on Saturdays.

"Shopping at these farmers' market gives you access to the freshest products from the Hudson Valley, and to great variety," said Miriam Haas, director of Community Markets, the company that runs markets in 25 New York communities.

Currently, eight vendors offer fruit, vegetables, meat, baked goods, and flowers. To provide diversity, only three of the vendors are also at Larchmont.

"These are beautiful," said Susan Lasala, of Larchmont, selecting flowers, $3 a bunch at the J. Glebocki Farms tent, while husband Don purchased string beans and onions. They were on their lunch break. "We like our food to be fresh and grown locally to support small farmers."

For Don, a market selling point is that, "Now we can shop mid-week and stock up until the weekend."

Larchmont-Mamaroneck scene

Larchmont's market, which began in 2006, is open Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the train station. until Dec. 18. "Customer base has grown to around 1,000 per Saturday," said Susan Coyne, marketing manager for Community Markets. "It has very dedicated shoppers."

Mamaroneck's indoor market, which began in 2009 at St. Thomas's Episcopal church on the Boston Post Road, re-opens in winter.

At this new outdoor market, shoppers arrived before 1:30 p.m., catching some vendors off guard. "About 350 people attended throughout the day," said Amy Zinaman, Mamaroneck's market manager.

Ripest right now

Markets give access to what was picked the day before. "And you get the best of what's grown in our area right now," said Haas.

At their peak now? "Peaches and corn."

Impressive variety

At Migliorelli Farm, of Tivoli in Dutchess County, Haas pointed out squash runners—greens and curly tendrils cut from the tops of squash. Greg Pinelli advised sautéing in olive oil and garlic to create a mild and sweet side dish. ($2 a bunch.)

Across the way was J. Glebocki Farms, from Goshen, N.Y.

"That's the black dirt region of Orange County," said Haas. "Farmers traditionally grow onions and cabbage. But younger farmers are growing new varieties, such as these yellow carrots, and daikon radishes." ($2 a bunch. Tall sunflowers, three for $3.)

At Newgate Farms, East Granby, Conn., Haas  urged, "Try these." Gooseberries! Plum-y and sweet—perfect in a pie. ($4 a container. Golden beets were $4 a bunch.)

All-natural beef

Cedar Hill Farm, Amenia, N.Y., has been raising beef for three generations. "It's all natural—no hormones, no antibiotics," said Eric Eschbach. Black angus steaks are big sellers, $15 - $20 per pound. He also carries sausages and pork chops.

Pickled pleasure

Over at Doc Pickle, a family business from Wayne, New Jersey, were pickles, pickled vegetables, and olives.

Artisanal baked goods

Meredith's Bread, from Kingston, N.Y., offered baked goods free of preservatives, and included a range of gluten-free products; quiches, and pies.

Bread Alone, Boiceville, N.Y. had a ciabatta with olives that was selling out, for $4.50, along with popular organic loaves. 

Vesna and Ralph Buxeder, from New Rochelle, were heading to their boat when they saw the market.

Ralph, who bought an organic French sourdough loaf, said that the variety of natural, local offerings will make them regulars. Added Vesna, "When food is this fresh, it's all about that it just smells better, and tastes better."

Tips

Free one-hour parking is available at Harbor Island.

Recipe cards featuring at-their-peak produce are available at the market, and online, where you can find info on other farmers' markets, and related events: www.communitymarkets.biz.