This season the Chappaqua Farmers Market will be coming full circle – literally and figuratively.
For starters, we are thrilled to be returning to our lovely pre-Covid location, the shady “circle” at the train station. We moved to the sprawling southernmost section of the commuter lot so that we could spread out during the Covid years. But we missed the intimacy and energy of our train station location. So did our vendors!
Farmers Markets are centered around great local grub, yes, but they are also about bringing community together and the cozy, half-moon layout of the train station location does that like no other. What’s more, this season we are bringing back a host of vendors who were with us in the early years of the CFM. We’re thrilled that Dough Nation Pizza has decided to return, twice a month throughout the summer, including on opening day, May 13, Mother’s Day weekend. They will be slinging rustic pies made with market ingredients in a yawning wood-burning oven on wheels every second and fourth Saturday.
Madura Farms, based in Black Dirt country, is also an oldie but goodie who is returning this year with a bevy of culinary mushrooms, from hen of the woods to King oyster to shiitake and maitake just waiting to be tossed in ramens and risottos, market omelets and your favorite La Trafila pasta. They, too, will be at the market on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month.
Obercreek Farm, one of our original organic farmers, is also making a triumphant return to the CFM. This NOFA-NY Certified Organic farm in Wappinger, NY, grows diversified seasonal vegetables, herbs, and tender, beautiful greens as well as hops on 9 acres of land. Like many of our conscientious farmers, they use cover crops and compost to regenerate, rather than deplete their fields. Please give Trixie a warm welcome!
Dough-Co Bagels will now be available at the market weekly because two weeks is too long to wait for bagels this good. Bagel “master” Josh Small (who will be representing Westchester in Brooklyn’s Bagelfest this fall) has been busy hiring staff to help him bake hundreds of bagels in the wee hours, “I try to find people who like to watch movies while baking,” he says, “Rom coms are good at that time of night.” Check out his newest flavor: Rosemary salt.
And of course, all your favorites from last year are returning from Pura Vida Fishery, AYA Hummus, Doc Pickle and Nutmeg Bakery, to our wonderful flower farmer, MaryBeth, of Stars of the Meadow, with her fetching blossoms and bouquets. Make sure to reserve some of her tulips for Mother’s Day.
Fresh Meadow Farm will have strawberry plants for Mom and Marcelina Orange will have her addictive chocolate dipped orange peels to add to any Mother’s Day gift bag.
Two of our farmers will be joining us later in May: Black Creek Farm, now in their sixth year with us, and SOVA Farm, with their tender, flavorful chicken and spectacular eggs. And, thank goodness, they will be bringing our favorite Painted Goat Feta cheese to market as well.
This year, you can find an amazing selection of Hudson Valley cheeses at the Second Mouse Cheese tent. If you’re not familiar with Ivy Ronquillo's fabulous cheese shop in Pleasantville, you should be! And, of course, Joe Tomato returns with swoon-worthy mozzarella.
We are sorry to say that Danae Sintilas, also known as Mrs. D., a CFM favorite, is hanging her apron strings. However, she promises she will return to the market as a shopper. We will miss her smile... and her moussaka. But we promise to bring you new and interesting prepared foods, like standout, plump empanadas from v and the disarmingly delicious and “meaty” plant-based burgers from Plantidote, a favorite at the Westport Farmers Market.
Dobbs Ferry Lobster Guys is also a new vendor for us. They catch lobster locally and make the most exquisite lobster rolls that will transport you straight to a salty dock in Maine.
Pick up some seedlings for Mom and we’ll donate all proceeds to Hope’s Door, an organization committed to ending domestic violence and empowering victims to achieve safety, independence, and healing from the trauma of abuse.
Milton, will of course, be here to serenade us on opening day, as per tradition. Milton says he's thrilled to be back “in the grassy circle.” And, speaking of “full-circles,” Spain at Home will be returning as well with their giant round, simmering paella pan that fills the market plaza with the aroma of saffron and sunshine.
A heartfelt "thank you" to our generous sponsors!
We CAN’T WAIT to see you at the market!