Spring a ding ding: We're Open!

This marks the 15th year that we welcome you to a bright new season at the CFM! 

Fifteen years of tweaking, growing, finessing and growing some more. At one point, we even picked up and changed locations (thank you, COVID), only to move back to where it all started, our leafy, horseshoe at the station, the literal heart of town, where you will find us, tents unfurled ready to greet you, bright and early on Saturday.

May is such a crazy time of year with Moms to be celebrated, students to be graduated and couples to be wed. It's an especially busy time for farmers in New York, because, as Trixie over at Obercreek Farm says, that's when “the race really begins.” “The indoor crops need to be pruned, trained, and irrigated  while the outdoor crops need to be transplanted and weeded and irrigated as well. Meanwhile, the propagation house is full of seedlings in need of constant attention, all chanting “are we there yet?!” so eager are they to get into the ground.” 

Despite the challenges, our farmers tell us they love being at the market. They love handing you that bunch of spinach or chard with the same hands that planted it in the first place. Rest assured, all of our farmers are returning, Fresh Meadow Farm, Obercreek Farm, Orchard Hill Organics, Mead Orchard and Caradonna Farm, for produce and fruit. And, in the pastured meats department, Letterbox Farm, Goode & Local, R & M Farm are all back as well.

And, you’ll be delighted to know that White Moustache Yogurt will now be coming weekly. It doesn’t mean they won’t sell out on Saturdays, but that doubles your chances of scoring some of their uber-popular Persian-style yogurt, a creamy cloud in a jar. 

Their yogurt needs nothing, but if you like crunch, I suggest sprinkling it with your favorite granola from The Hampton Grocer. (By the way, our granola guru Samantha just had a baby, so her husband will be selling on Saturday).

Tivoli Mushrooms will also return on a weekly basis this season. In all my years of running markets I’ve never seen mushrooms so fetching. Plus, they often surprise us with hyper-seasonal fungi like hard-to-find morels. I predict there will be many mushroom-laden pasta dishes and omelets in your future. One vendor who is not returning is Arlotta Studio. John Arlotta has sold his olive groves – back to the person he originally bought them from, so many pressings ago. Arlotta’s departure allows for the triumphant return of Agape Premium EVOO, formerly known as Kontoulis Olive Oil. Some of you may remember how positively transformative this unctuous oil can be on a fillet of cod or seared scallops from Pura Vida Fishery. Their rich tapenade is top-notch, just the thing to slather onto an authentic baguette from Wave Hill Breads. Or swirl it into your hummus, as Jenny from Aya Hummus is doing this season.

Use some of Agape’s oil on this “pretty in pink” radish salad with walnuts and fresh, aromatic. There will be radishes a-go go at the market, so do buy extra to make this “spring chicken” recipe which calls for roasting the radishes. Yes, it’s a thing. And it’s delicious. If you plan on dusting off your grill this weekend, do yourself a favor and hit up Channery Hill Farm. They will be bringing their farm-to-table condiments like garlic scape relish and jalapeño pumpkin ketchup, all made with fresh ingredients from their farm. Their rhubarb vinaigrette is tartly delicious and is perfect for dousing your market strawberries to coax out their inner sweet. Strawberries will be here sooner than you think!

Throwing a party? Grab some Mediterranean spreads from Bonnes Saveurs who will be joining us twice monthly this season. As is Shhh-our--Dough, with their par-baked sourdough loaves. Their new Danish rye, Rugbrod, is not to be missed.

We will be introducing new vendors each week through mid-June. This week we’re thrilled that Homespun Chili will be joining us with their fabulous line of chilis, like Rockin’ Moroccan and Cowboy Beef and Bonzo Masala.

Stars of the Meadow Flower Farm is bringing loads of bouquets and blossoms should you want to spoil someone who “mothers” in your life. The Dough-Nation Pizza Truck will be at the market on opening day and on every second and fourth Saturday through November. If you haven’t tried their caramelized lemon and scamorza pie, you haven’t lived!

The inimitable Sari Shaw, of The Westchester Living Team at Compass, is once again sponsoring our weekly live music program. As per tradition, our house band, Milton, will perform on opening day. Sari is also sponsoring some of our kids’ activities this season, including a Mother’s Day craft table this weekend.

And, don’t say we didn’t warn you! The SPCA Mobile Adoption Unit will be here. You may come to the market for fresh fish and eggs, and leave with a grateful rescue pup or kitten. 

Don’t forget to bring your knives and pruning shears for sharpening and your textile discards (clothes, bags, shoes, linens, etc.) for the Green Tree Textile Recycling Bin, which will be at the market every Saturday from here on out.We look forward to seeing you “at the circle,” this Saturday and every Saturday through December.