Spring is here, which means the days of strolling through a busy farmers market, tasting cheese samples and stocking up on fresh fruits and vegetables, are not far away! If you’re looking to support community-centered markets this year, or just can’t wait to see what’s new at some of your favorite markets, here’s what you can look forward to at three Bushwick-area farmers markets this season.
RiseBoro Farmers Markets
Any roundup of farmers markets in the Bushwick area would be woefully incomplete without the RiseBoro Farmers Markets. A Bushwick staple, RiseBoro’s three (well, two and a pop-up) markets provide community members with “fresh produce, local products” and the opportunity to learn new cooking techniques through their free culinary and nutrition workshops, all while celebrating the neighborhood’s “multicultural heritage and trendy character.”
Though you’ll have to wait until May 18 to visit the RiseBoro markets, you have several new vendors and events to look forward to this year. To kick off the season, RiseBoro is throwing its first grand opening barbeque, open to the entire community, on the market’s first Sunday, May 19. Then later in the season, RiseBoro will launch two brand-new Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs in July—make sure you get there in May and June to sign up. And of course no farmers market is complete without puppies, so expect to see some pet adoption events hosted by the ASPCA at some of the markets this year.
RB BUSHWICK FARMERS MARKETS
Saturdays starting May 18, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Maria Hernandez Park
Knickerbocker Avenue between Starr St. & Suydam St.
RB RHEINGOLD ARCHWAY FARMERS MARKETS
Sundays starting May 19, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
553 Bushwick Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206
RB FARMERS MARKET POP-UP FARM STAND
In Partnership with Bethel Evangelical Church
Thursdays starting May 23, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
215 Cooper Street
Follow RiseBoro @RiseboroNYC on Twitter and @RBFarmersMarkets on Instagram for updates about the upcoming markets.
Ridgewood Youthmarket
What’s better than locally sourced produce? Locally sourced produce with a healthy dose of opportunity, of course. The Ridgewood Youthmarket is one of the longest-running youthmarkets in the GrowNYC network, and has been providing kids from the neighborhood with the chance to grow their skills and knowledge in everything from business and customer service, to nutrition and agriculture.
This is another one you’ll have to wait for (the Ridgewood Youthmarket opens July 13), but it’ll be worth it. Mark it on your calendars, because the Ridgewood Youthmarket will be open every Saturday from July 13 to November 23 between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. You can find it right when you get off the Myrtle-Wyckoff Avenue L train stop on Cypress Ave, between Myrtle and Putnam Aves.
Follow @NYCYouthmarkets on Twitter for updates.
Graham Avenue Farmers Market
If you want to know exactly where your food comes from, right down to the people who grew it, look no further than the Graham Ave Business Improvement District (BID) Farmers Market. On Saturdays between July and October, you can come face-to-face with the farmers who trek into Brooklyn from upstate New York and even as far as Amish Country, to sell their produce and irresistible baked goods. Many of the Graham Ave vendors have been selling at this market since it opened 20 years ago. There is a real sense of community among the vendors and customers, and the farmers are always willing to share their knowledge and tips for cooking with and storing their produce.
As if getting culinary tips from the actual people who grew your food wasn’t enough, customers can spend an entertaining Saturday at the market, watching and tasting cooking and nutritional demos, getting their faces painted, or seeing live music performances. Don’t stop there, though, customers are encouraged to support local retailers by spending some time shopping at the local business district located right around the corner from the market.
Visit the Graham Avenue Farmers Market every Saturday starting July 6 (until October 26) between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30pm. Find it at the dead end on Cook Street, off Graham Ave.
Cover image courtesy of Kori Petrovic.
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