March brought back the McGolrick Park Down to Earth Farmers Market earlier than usual. As the weather warms more stalls are coming back to the markets, and there are more healthy things to buy. May tacks on another hour to the McCarren GrowNYC Greenmarket; it will close at 3 p.m. instead of 2 p.m.
Saturday Markets
McCarren GrowNYC Greenmarket at North 12th Street and Union Avenue
This market is year-round although their hours are slightly different depending on the time of year. From January through April they are open from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., and from May through December their hours are from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Currently, both food scrap compost and textile recycling drop-offs are at this location. Both open when the market does, but food scrap collection ends at noon and textile recycling ends at 1:30 p.m. These hours may fluctuate so to check for the current status go here.
It is of consequence to note that the compost drop-off can have one of the longest lines at the market. This service was deeply missed ever since it became a casualty of COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020. It returned in late September to McCarren’s Saturday market with reduced hours. On Earth Day (April 22) GrowNYC’s social media announced, “Since the reopening of 16 food scrap drop-off sites in September 2020, GrowNYC has collected 1,000,000 pounds of organic waste for composting at local facilities.”
There are some new vendors to this market: Knead Love Bakery and Mountain Sweet Berry Farm . The latter are well known for their La Ratte and German Butterball potatoes. Some vendors who have taken a hiatus for the colder months will return as it warms up.
Graham Avenue BID Farmers Market at Cook Street and Graham Avenue
The Graham BID is currently working on a plan for the return of their farmers market. The plan’s aim is to provide a safe experience for the community and vendors under developing COVID-19 safety protocols. “Not holding it last season was tough, but we felt it was the right way to go … things are changing, so we need to wait and see,” said Betty Cooney, Exec. Dir. Graham BID.
In past years the market was open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. It began in July and continued through October. “We’re just not 100% sure it will return this season, but we are working hard to make it happen as we know the community looks forward to what it offers. We’ll definitely announce it when it is firmed up.” said Cooney. Check the Graham Ave BID Facebook page for updates on the status!
Sunday Markets
McGolrick Park Down to Earth Farmers Market at the center of the Park between Driggs and Nassau Avenues off Russell Street
This market will hold 2021’s Opening Day on March 7. This marks its Winter season which runs until May 9, after which it will become the Spring/Summer Market with additional vendors. This market will continue into this December. To see the participating vendors schedule go here. There is also textile recycling, which runs the full time the market is open. The hours for the McGolrick Park Down to Earth Farmers Market are 10:00 a.m. –3:00 p.m. There is also a pre-order option here.
Domino Park GrowNYC Greenmarket South 4th Street between Kent Avenue & River Street
This market is seasonal. Last year was their inaugural year, and the market began on the second Sunday in July and ended the season on November 22. The GrowNYC page on the Domino Farmers Market says it will be open from June 6 to November 21. When asked for this year’s schedule Siobhan Keys, greenmarket administrative manager at GrowNYC, answered, “At the moment, we still don’t have enough information to determine the opening date, but we are looking at May or June, most likely.” To see what last year’s Domino Greenmarket was like go here.
Original content published on March 4, 2021
The Greenline 