Columbia Greenmarket--Real Farmers in the City

Once there was only one at Union Square down at 14th Street--but now there are 46 farmers' markets, known as Greenmarkets scattered about the five boroughs.  Many, many more farmers from the region have markets for their produce, milk, eggs, mushrooms, plants--and more.  And we urbanites get to eat locally.

It began very small a few years ago and now my neighborhood has one  year round, named Columbia Greenmarket for its location near the University entrance.    It's become the focus of my Thursday morning walk with women from my building.  Apples right now, terrfic carrots, and eggs are on my list.

I think this egg display was developed mostly for the college students--to entertain and  educate.  The eggs are good and it amazes me that  people can make a living by selling them.

Now that it's getting really, really cold (Hattie, it's never like this in Portland, O) supporting these courageous people seems even more important for those of us living by indoor wits off the fat of the land.  Our group entices with hot cider.  My favorite is Pear Cider, only place I've found it. 

We also favor  "Don Wager's Fresh Grape Juice, 100% fresh pressed" from Penn Yam, New York.  Recent  reports tout it equally beneficial as red wine for older people...seems to work for this couple who also grow the Concord grapes visible at the back of the photo.

We look forward to a day in the near future we can buy  locally-made corn tortillas from Hot Bread Kitchens.  Very delicious,  made by immigrant women as part of an unusual program, award-winning video here tells the story.   We happened on them at another  market under the Brooklyn Bridge, area now known as Dumbo in Brooklyn.  Margaret, Greenmarket  rep, tells me they may be a future addition to Columbia location.

Margaret  distributes  free Greenmarket recipes from their contest winners.    And  cooks them right here on the street!--which is how I discovered "Fresh Corn & Ricotta Omelet."  Cheese and fresh organic milk (white & chocolate) in glass bottles also here (photo from an earlier, milder climate).  I love chocolate milk, sad to say, only bought it once because a quart needs more people to share than the two in my apartment.

Tomorrow, another cold day predicted, it's back to market...least city folk can do for local produce  and under-appreciated small farmers.  Vote for them to have a bigger voice in the new Obama administration at American Farmland Trust.

 

Comments

[Hattie]

You are right, Naomi, that it does not in general get as cold in the winter in Portland as in NYC. However, it did get down to 5 degrees above zeero once when I lived there. The big menace is the occasional ice storm. These are very scary.
Your markets are great. You are lucky to be able to buy fresh local food right in the middle of the megalopolis.
I just got back from the Hilo Saturday Market, loaded down with fresh vegetables for the gang. I 'm going to make a big bean soup!

[Lydia]

Ooh, that pear cider sounds wonderful. So does the grape juice. I drink Concord grape juice regularly, but it's not from a local farmer :(

[m.e.]

oooh...this brought back memories of the wonderful hot grape juice with cinnamon (they may have called it something else, but that's what it was) on sale at the wee farmers market on west 57th street back in 1991 when i first arrived in gotham city. they had the market only one day a week, and i'm thinking it may have been midweek rather than a weekend, but ver vaist. it was glorious!!

[m.e.]

oooh...this brought back memories of the wonderful hot grape juice with cinnamon (they may have called it something else, but that's what it was) on sale at the wee farmers market on west 57th street back in 1991 when i first arrived in gotham city. they had the market only one day a week, and i'm thinking it may have been midweek rather than a weekend, but ver vaist. it was glorious!!

[Judy Welles]

Love your blog. It makes me want to live in New York. But since I don't, you can do it for me and write about it.