New City Farmers Market Set to Open Sunday

After months of talks to bring a farmers market to downtown New City, the new outdoor market is set to open on Sunday.

Miriam Haas of Ossining-based Community Markets said the New City Farmers Market will open 9:30 a.m. Sunday in a county-owned parking lot on New Hempstead Road, opposite the Allison-Parris County Office Building. The market is set to be open until 2 p.m.

The market, which has the support of Clarkstown town officials, the New City Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown New City Corp., will have a "grand opening" celebration on Sunday, July 18 at 10 a.m.

Haas, who company also operates farmers markets in Spring Valley and Piermont and 23 other locations in the region, said the New City farmers market will start small but will expand quickly.

"There is a real demand for fresh, local produce in New City," said Haas, who is director of Community Markets. "Now New City Residents will not only have access to seasonal produce at its peak flavor, but the market will also provide a venue for shoppers to slow down, relax, chat with their neighbors and meet the people who grow and make their food."

The market is set to run every Sunday until Nov. 21.

Clarkstown Councilwoman Shirley Lasker, one of the proponents of the new market, believes the farmers market will become a new attraction that will bring many more visitors to downtown New City - in addition to providing local residents with a new source of fresh, area-grown produce and farm items.

New City Chamber of Commerce President Mike Di Bella said the farmers market has the support of local businesses, including those that sell fresh produce. Di Bella said local businesses believe the market will attract people who may not ordinarily shop in downtown New City and will expose those people to shopping options in New City.

For Councilwoman Stephanie Hausner, having the farmers market on Sundays in New City is especially ideal. She said that since other Rockland farmers markets take place on weekdays - such as the Nyack Farmers Market - the New City Farmers Market will give local residents better access to the goods available at farmers markets.

The launch of the farmers market also comes at a time when downtown New City businesses owners are living through ongoing construction for the downtown rehabilitation project. Clarkstown is renovating Main Street in New City, rebuilding sidewalks, adding new street lighting, creating more on-street parking and creating a new downtown centerpiece with the renovation of Landau Park opposite the Rockland County Courthouse at Main Street and Congers Road.

The new City Farmers Market is using county-owned parking facilities that are generally vacant on the weekends, just a few yards off of Main Street and opposite the county office building. The market is operating under an agreement with the county that was made possible with the Downtown New City Corp. agreeing to partner with the farmers market for insurance purposes.

The market will feature: Vegetables and orchard fruit from Williams Fruit Farm of Ulster Park, N.Y. and certified organic artisanal breads from Bread Alone of Boiceville, N.Y.; an array of fresh vegetables grown on Jamaica Dream Farm of Maryland, N.Y.; beef, pork, eggs and produce from Cedar Hill Farm of Amenia, N.Y.; cut flowers, herbs and vegetables from J. Glebocki Farm of Goshen; Pickle Licious from Bogota, N.J. will be selling their old fashioned barrel pickles and once a month there will be local Hudson Valley wine for sale from Palaia Vineyards of Highland Mills.

The market will also feature cooking demonstratinos, live music from local musicians, corn roasts and produce tastings throughout the season.

Details are posted at www.communitymarkets.biz.