Down To Earth Markets Supports Regional Farms (Photo Courtesy of Down To Earth Farms)
Down to Earth Markets and the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation are excited to announce the opening of the 42nd season of the Jamaica Farmers Market on Friday, June 17th, 2016 in Queens.
The market is held every Friday and Saturday from 8:30am – 4pm. The Friday market is located on Parsons Blvd between Archer Ave and Jamaica Ave. The Saturday market is held on 160th Street off of Jamaica Ave. As with all Down to Earth markets the Jamaica Farmers Market will feature farm-fresh produce grown by local farmers. The market will continue through November 18th.
The Parsons Blvd location, opened last year, is a busy pedestrian street centrally located and convenient to public transportation, perfectly located for people to pick up fresh fruits and vegetables on their way home from work.
In 1974 farmers on Long Island and the neighboring Hudson Valley were struggling to stay in business. It took the idea of marketing directly to the public, cutting out the middle men, to enable these small family farms to slowly find their way back to health. The Greater Jamaica Development Corporation had the foresight to understand the solution and they were among the first to start a farmers market in New York City. It took the next twenty years for a critical mass of customers to propel farmers markets into the movement that it has become today.
“We love when the farmers return to our community,” says Mary Reda, Director of Real Property Operations of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, “it encourages me to cook since using the freshest ingredients makes the food taste so much better.” And if you are at the market when she shops be sure to ask for some good cooking advice.
As a regional organizer of 15 community markets featuring locally grown and produced small-batch foods, Down to Earth Markets restores the connection between farmers and food producers and eaters. “Every week at our markets, the region’s best farmers and food makers sell delicious foods they have produced, and communities come together to buy directly from them. In this exchange, we connect with one another in a real way. Real food connects us all,” says Jon Zeltsman, president of Down to Earth Markets. “We are delighted to bring this opportunity to the Jamaica community.”
About Down to Earth Markets: In 2016, Down to Earth Farmers Market celebrates 25 years of creating and managing farmers markets. We host markets in New York City, Westchester County, and Rockland County. We run these markets to expand economic opportunities for local farmers and food makers and to provide everyone with an alternative to industrial food. For a full list of our markets and vendors, visit DowntoEarthMarkets.com
About the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation: Greater Jamaica Development Corporation is a community-building organization that plans, promotes, coordinates and advances responsible development to revitalize Jamaica, Queens and strengthen the region.
Marshalling the resources of the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, GJDC’s work expands economic opportunity and improves quality of life for the ethnically and economically diverse residents of Jamaica and for the region at large, which benefits from rational, well-planned, and sustainable metropolitan growth. gjdc.org