Community News

New Tarrytown, SH Farmers Market Wants to Collaborate with Community

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April 1, 2015

| by Linda Viertel |

A heavy snowstorm blanketing our river towns was not the harbinger of spring most of us expected. But, soon the snows will melt, buds will bloom, and the first delectable spring vegetables will be on sale, bringing variety, fresh tastes and the long-missed bounty of farm produce to our tables. And, what better way to welcome spring than by supporting local farmers with community engagement in a reinvigorated farmers’ market?

Organizers of the Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow Farmers Market (TaSH)
have been meeting over the winter to organize Tarrytown’s new and improved farmers’ market. They are committed to having their brand new market serve the community as a true Village Green.

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Having already signed up close to triple the number of farmers and producers of farm-fresh foods than in past seasons, the non-profit Rivertowns Village Green (RVG) is now turning to the community to get engaged.

“We envision the farmers market as a place where, first and foremost, our community can shop for locally grown and produced wholesome foods while supporting local agriculture,” said Suzanne Sorrentino, co-president of Rivertowns Village Green the non-profit that has taken over operation of the market this year.

“At the same time, it has always been our vision that the market will also serve as a way to bring the community together. Residents, as well as visitors to our beautiful villages, can meet on a Saturday to enjoy beautiful Patriots Park while visiting with their neighbors, maybe having breakfast or lunch, listening to music, possibly taking a free Tai Chi class, meeting a local chef and maybe signing up for Little League, “ Sorrentino added.

At this stage in the planning, RVG is reaching out to the community in order to create this vision.

The organization has begun a so-called crowd-funding campaign on indiegogo.com and is looking for literal buy-in to the market from the community.

“We are kind of like public radio,” Sorrentino said. “We need your support to make this happen.”

RVG, which was formed in 2013 for the sole purpose of running the farmers market, is entirely run by volunteers from Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown. The nonprofit needs to raise funds to pay a market manager as well as for all kinds of start-up and operating costs such as purchasing tents and tables, insurance, advertising, paying musicians and many more details.

“Even the smallest donations from residents are welcome,” Sorrentino said, adding that fund-raising is one way RVG hopes to keep rates low for vendors in hopes that they will pass savings on to customers.

In addition to individual support, RVG is also seeking business and corporate sponsors for the new TaSH Farmers Market, says Tammy Abraham, co-president of RVG.

“We are currently looking for and talking to launch sponsors who will come on board to help make the full vision of the market possible,” Abraham says. “We think this is an incredible opportunity for local businesses and organizations to invest in the community and show their support. We’re so thrilled to have Mrs. Green’s sign on as our first sponsor. They’ve been incredibly supportive since the beginning and have really committed to helping us make this a success.”

In addition to financial support. RVG is also in the process of signing up musicians and entertainers, chefs for demonstrations, plus individuals and organizations to provide children’s activities, educational activities and mind-body activities.

“RVG is also working on finding creative ways to collaborate with many other local nonprofits and community organizations so that we all help each other,” Sorrentino said. RVG board members are already signed up to participate in the Y’s Healthy Kids Day on April 25 and upcoming Third Friday events.

“Our hope is that other community groups will think outside the box about how they can use this weekly community gathering place to reach their constituencies and bring them to the market, “ Sorrentino said.

“We can imagine the local senior organizations competing against each other in a pie making contest, or the police or fire departments sponsoring a bike helmet safety day at the new TaSH market. Wouldn’t it be great if the two villages’ Recreation Departments held signups for their programs at the market, or if the schools integrated environmental, nutritional or community service projects with the market?” Sorrentino added.

RVG has already begun speaking to the Board of Education about such ideas and is in the process of reaching out to other community groups.

The final piece RVG is working on is engaging the business community so that the market benefits them as well, the co-presidents say. Abraham notes that in surveys RVG did about the market last winter, more than 60 percent of respondents said they were leaving Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow on Saturdays to go to other nearby communities’ farmers markets.

“We want to keep those people in our villages and shopping at our stores,” Abraham says.

The Village Green will come together when the whole community feels connected to the market, Sorrentino says. “Of course, you will still be able to simply stop in and purchase your beautiful, healthy produce, meats, cheese and breads, and go on your way. But we think you’ll want to stay.”

The TaSH Farmers Market opens Saturday, May 23 in Patriots Park and runs through the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Anyone who wants to reach the market to get involved in any way, can email at tashfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

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