We're Back!
It's been a long five months but the wait is over. Starting this week, you will have something special to look forward to every Saturday morning: our weekly farmer's market returns, just in time for the spring harvest and, of course, Mother's Day.
What could please mom (or anyone in your life who "mothers") more than an exquisite bunch of tulips from Stars of the Meadow, hand-harvested in Accord, NY, wrapped in brown Kraft paper and ready for gifting.
The good thing about taking time off from the market is that it allows farmers to rethink and regroup. Flower farmer Marybeth says this winter, she decided to drop her Friday farmer's market in the city to sell flowers at her small farm on Friday afternoons instead, allowing her to focus more on her Chappaqua customers. Bully for us! There is no question she will sell out on Saturday. Why not take the pressure off and pre-order here
We are so glad to welcome two new farms to the market this year. SOVA Farm in Norwich, NY specializes in poultry and premium eggs. (Their eggs were voted among the Top Ten in the country by The Cornucopia Institute). Is it any wonder? From mid-April to mid-November their hens are on pasture 24/7. Each hen has close to 110 square ft. of room to roam, scratch, peck and do other hen stuff. Ed and Rose wash their eggs with pure spring water.
It's a little early in the season for fresh chicken right now, but they will be bringing lots of it in June and then will be adding duck (whole and breasts) and geese to their repertoire. Come Thanksgiving, they will also have turkey for your holiday table. In addition, they will be your "go to" stop for all things CHEESE this year. They just happen to farm very close to both Painted Goat Farm and Cooperstown Cheese. So they will be selling Painted Goat's legendary feta cheese (they sell out every time at the Hastings Farmer's Market) as well as Cooperstown's line of hard cheeses made from Jersey and Swiss brown cows. They will also be bringing creamy chevre buttons from Jones Farm in flavors like rosemary, fig and lemon-thyme. Farmers Ed and Rose also sell aromatic herb bouquets, which they also grow, to stuff the chickens they will soon be bringing. And, they make their own honey!
Orchard Hill Organics is also joining us. Based in nearby Katonah this small and picturesque farm grows beautiful produce while being mindful about protecting and nurturing their soil. Their lettuces and radishes are picture-perfect!
Together, these two farms will be replacing Letterbox Farm which has decided to stay at markets closer to home in Hudson this year. Black Creek Farm will be joining us in a few weeks time, and of course Fort Hill Farm and Growing Heart Farm are also back.
Please welcome Knot of this World pretzels from Levittown, NY. They make hand-twisted pretzels which are the real deal and made with local flour to boot. Try their spinach and feta stuffed pretzel or their pretzel dusted in cinnamon sugar.
If Mom likes chocolate, she will LOVE Raw Chocolate Love's line of pure, unadulterated, organic chocolate bars in pretty pastel wrapping. If she likes gin, Neversink Spirits has your back. For an extra special gift, consider picking up a one-of-a-kind hand turned bowl from The Misshapened Bowl.
We are staying in the same location as last summer where it is easier to space out vendors and shoppers. And, as per the NY Federation of Farmers Market guidelines, we are requiring that masks be worn at the market. Though the CDC has relaxed guidelines for mask-wearing outdoors in small groups, we are considered a "large group gathering." Dogs, however, are welcome.
We are so happy to be able to bring live music back to the market this season. As per tradition, Milton will perform opening day and on every second Saturday of the month from now through November.
This Saturday, we are introducing a new and very special food truck: Poke Motion. They make traditional protein bowls like their tuna sesame bowl (pictured), cilantro shrimp and peanut chicken satay. Wouldn't Mom love not to cook on Saturday after a busy market shop? Enjoy a poke bowl at one of our cafe tables just outside the market or, take a few home
to try.
When's the last time that set of steak knives you got for your wedding get sharpened? Ready Set Sharp will set up his sharpening wheel outside the market this week and every second Saturday of the month.
Finally, for those of you who like to pre-order certain items, please bookmark this link: https://www.chappaquafarmersmarket.org/pre-order. This link will live on our website and our FB page.
Since some vendors like to have their orders in earlier in the week, we are sharing this with you for your planning purposes. The link will be the same all season long.
Can't wait to see you at the market!