{Field Trip Fridays} Unexpected Greenmarkets NYC

One of the things I really love to do is go to a Farmer’s Market. Strolling around, checking out the fresh produce, smelling the beautiful flowers, and of course, buying and eating some amazing food is a perfect way to spend the day.

When I lived in Florida, there was a farmer’s market on the weekends up in an area called Winter Park. It was one of the few things I actually enjoyed while living there.

You may be expecting a big city like NY to be the last place you would find greenmarkets and do you know what?!? You would be wrong! We have plenty of really big markets right in the middle of Manhattan. One day I will take you guys on a trip to one of my favorites in Union Square. Today however, I thought I’d show you 2 smaller ones in very unexpected places.

Yesterday I was in the city for a lighting workshop over at B&H. (it was amazing by the way) I decided to get off the subway a stop early and walk west through Times Square. I ended up over at The Port Authority Bus Terminal and took a look inside.

On the main floor on the 42nd street side I spotted a small green market. Not exactly a place I would expect to find fresh produce.

The market was small consisting of about 3 main tables – vegetables, wine and fruit.

I mainly focused on the veggies.

I spoke to the woman at the stand (Alice – very nice) and she gave me the lowdown.

The produce came from a farm called Katchkie Farm in upstate NY.

They also work with an organization called The Sylvia Center where they invite kids to come up to the farm and educate them on healthy eating through hands on experiences. It sounds amazing! I would love to bring my girls to something like that.

The farm also makes their own products including tomato ketchup, jam and barbecue sauce.

I decided to go with the tomato jam. And I have to tell you, I’m so glad I did! My day was so crazy yesterday the only thing I had time to eat for dinner was some bread and cheese with this tomato jam spread on it. Yum! Really good!

I also noticed some very interesting looking kale.

She said it was called Dinosaur Kale because it was extra scaly. Looked interesting and I know kale is super healthy so I bought some of that as well. The hubbs cooked it up for him and the girls last night and said it was really good! I haven’t checked yet but I’m hoping there are some leftovers for my lunch today!

It was getting time for me to head on over to B&H so I took my goods and left. After the workshop, I had to go back on the subway and get my car to go back home. I got off at 225th street in The Bronx – a very busy street with lots of stores, people and some restaurants.

What do I happen to see in the distance but another white tent! Could it be another greenmarket?

Sure enough it was! This one was even smaller than the other one – just one large table of produce but people were flocking to it! And I was one of them!

I spoke to these guys briefly (they had the same Grow NYC t-shirt that Alice was wearing) and they also said that the produce came from a variety of farms in upstate NY. This area has a large Hispanic population so it was good that some of the produce catered to that market – extra large bunches of cilantro!

It smelled really good! I don’t normally use cilantro in a lot of my cooking but this smelled so good I couldn’t pass it up. So, if you know of any good recipes with cilantro, I’m all ears! Send me your best!

I ended up walking away with cilantro, a bucket of grape tomatoes, some large pears and also some small ones. I thought my girls would get a kick out of the “baby” pears. All of this for only $6! I thought that was a great deal!

Do you have greenmarkets in your area? Are you more of a farmer’s market type or are you strictly supermarket?

For you New Yorkers, check out the Grow NYC site for a list of greenmarkets big and small in your area.

Have a great weekend!