Spring is finally here, and farmers markets in our area are open for business. Fresh seasonal produce, local wines, cheeses, artisanal breads, and grass fed beef, not to mention farm grown plants and flowers, home-made baked goods and sauces are bringing our communities together every week.

Tarrytown’s market in Patriot’s Park opened May 29 and will be in business from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday until November 20. Run by Community Markets, whose motto is, “The farm comes to you,” the Tarrytown market will host cooking demonstrations, live music from local musicians, corn roasts and tastings throughout the season.

“With our certified organic vendors we’ve found that many shoppers in Tarrytown who seek out organics are now making the farmers market a one stop shopping place,” said Miriam Haas, director of Community Markets. “As for our new vendor, Pickle Licious, old fashioned barrel pickles are always a favorite and I suspect they’ll be a real hit.”

On June 12, Westchester resident Zev Haber will play children’s music from many musical cultures and traditions, starting at 10 a.m. until noon. Shoppers can access details each week as well as featured vendors at: wwwcommunitymarket.biz.

2010 Tarrytown Farmers Market Vendors

Benmarl Winery: Local wine

Bread Alone: Organic breads, pastries, pies, granola and cookies

Calkins Creamery: Farmstead cheese

Dines Farm: Chicken, lamb, pork, beef,
rabbit, duck, eggs

Gajeski Produce: Romaine lettuce, kale, collard, brussel sprouts, potatoes & more

Meredith’s Bread: Bread, muffins, cookies, jams, biscotti

Pickle Licious: Old-fashioned pickles, sauerkraut, pickled tomatoes and peppers

Tierra Farm: Organic, locally roasted nuts, trail mix and nut butters

Monkshood Nursery: Organic produce and plants

Orchards of Conklin: Fresh produce

Pika’s Farm Table: Handmade quiche,
sauces, salsas and more

Irvington’s market started May 12 at the Main Street parking lot along the back lawn. Providing a wide assortment of locally grown and harvested products, prepared foods, yoga and storytelling for kids, the market helps get shoppers through the week with a convenient Wednesday time from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Accessible by foot or bike from the aqueduct, ample free parking is available both at the Presbyterian Church off Broadway or in Irvington’s public lot across from the market. Irvington’s Indie/folk singer-songwriter James Wilson, a popular performer at the Black Cat Café, will be playing his own compositions along with familiar folk-rock favorites during the first market each month. Other local musicians will be providing music for the remaining weekly markets.

2010 Irvington Farmers Market Vendors (alternating)

Tierra Farm: organic nuts, nut butters and locally roasted coffee

Common Ground Farm: Organic produce

Roaming Angus: Grass fed beef and free-range chicken

Buddhapesto: Pesto sauce

Ronnybrook Dairy: Yogurts, crème fraiche and cheeses

The Orchards of Concklin: Fresh produce

Red Jacket Orchards: Apples, pears, cider, fresh juices

Clean Ridge Soap Company: Hand-made soaps, lip balms, candles and more

Calcutta Kitchens: Indian -style chutneys, soups, simmer sauces

Platte Clove Granola

Bread Alone: Artisanal Bread, pastries

Meredith’s Bakery: Bakery goods, breads

Panzarella: Italian breads, fresh mozzarella, soups and pasta

True Foods: Organic, locally prepared salads, burritos, wraps

Pura Vida Fish: Fresh seafood and shellfish from Long Island waters

Honey Locust Farmhouse: Organic lettuces, herbs, teas, syrups and honey

Grammy’s Garden: Wildflowers, hanging plants, herbs

Dutch Desserts: European style tarts

Big Girl Bakery: Cheesecake, biscotti,
cookies, baked goods and granola

Mountain House Smoked Goods: Smoked meats, fish and cheeses

Bombay Emerald Chutneys

Pika’s Farm Table: Quiches

Hummingbird Ranch: Honey and maple syrup

Prepared Foods

Chutney Masala: samosas, rice, naan, curries

Mr. G. Rotisserie Chicken: Free-range Roaming Angus farm chicken prepared with a variety of herb rubs

While East Hartsdale in Greenburgh has been the site of a small farmers market for over 17 years, one of the first in Westchester, the town’s new and improved market, now run by Miriam Haas and Community Markets, will provide more vendors, music and tastings at their Hartsdale Train Station location. With a grand opening on June 19, the market will last through to November 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m each Saturday.

2010 Greenburgh Farmers Market Vendors

Bread Alone: Artisanal bread, pastry, granola and cookies

Burt’s Mountain Honey: Honey

Calcutta Kitchens: Prepared and specialty Indian food items

Doc Pickles, LLC: Pickles and more

Mead Orchards: Fruits, vegetables, cider in season

Meredith’s Bread: Baked goods, pastry and quiche

Millbrook Winery: Wine