There are some weekends that end up so jam-packed that I just don't have time to make it down to the Union Square Greenmarket. It might be work that needs catching up on, or laundry to be done before a trip, or just too many obligations all around. On those weekends, I'd always resigned myself to grocery store sourced produce - but no longer.One recent weekend, I decided to check out the Greenmarket's Saturday outpost at 82nd and 1st. I was utterly convinced that there would be little on offer that could compare to the Union Square pickings, and I was wrong. Though the selection is notably smaller, the quality of the produce is just as good as what you can find at Union Sqaure.
When I visited, there were piles of eggplant, some lovely peaches, gorgeous peppers, and - of course - mountains of summer squash and zucchini.
The 82nd Street market is tucked behind St. Stephen's, a Franciscan church, and uses the church's parking lot to house its meat, bread and cheese vendors. Ardith Mae had a beautifully spare display - their chalkboard-and-bare-wood aesthetic screamed "CHEESE" to me. (Their website is great, too - check it out for cute pictures of their goats.)
I walked home laden with potatoes, peaches, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and onions - not bad for a two-block walk and no subway ride. I might be a convert!
5 comments:
I have long been a fan of the little green market in my 'hood. There are only a handful of farmers/vendors each day but they always have lovely things. And like you said, not bad for 2 block walk and no subway ride.
I wish more people would go to their local greenmarkets. I feel bad on days when I pass by late in the afternoons and it looks like they've barely sold anything.
I wish that, too. I don't understand why anyone would go to Food Emporium, pay twice as much, and get crappy produce. Makes no sense to me!
I had no idea there was one on 82 and 1st. I usually go to the one on 92 and 1st because it's just across the street from me, but it's tiny and doesn't offer a lot of variety. I need to check this one out!
I had absolutely no idea this place existed. What a great find so close to me, to boot! I'll pay a visit soon, I'm sure.
@jen and @julia: yay! so glad i've helped you discover this market! there are far more greenmarket outposts around the city than i ever knew about. i attended a greenmarket benefit last year, and one of the items in the gift bag was a map of all of the markets - it's huge!
here's a link to the online version (with business hours):
http://www.cenyc.org/files/gmkt/map.pdf
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