THE GREENMARKET UNION SQUARE   The Greenmarket Union Sq. (Flatiron/Gramercy/Union Square) at 17th St. 212-788-7476 Subway Stops 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W to 14th St.-Union Sq..

"Only regional growers may sell at the Greenmarket. Middlemen or brokers are not allowed. Regional farmers who produce fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, eggs, dairy, honey, maple syrup, plants and other foods sell at Greenmarket. Comprehensive regulations govern what may be sold at Greenmarket. With few exceptions, all items must be grown, raised, foraged, caught, or otherwise produced by the seller"

Greenmarket is a program of the Council on the Environment of New York City, a privately funded citizens organization in the Mayor's Office. Barry Benepe founded Greenmarket in 1976. Director Tom Strumolo and Greenmarket staff are responsible for market operations, farm visits, publicizing markets, securing permits, and working with community groups, city and state agencies to find new market sites and new farmers. The largest and most well known market is the Union Square Farmer's Market, which operates year-round and is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.

There are 28 individual locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island. Of these 28, 10 locations operate year-round. During peak season, over 100,000 customers visit the markets every week. Approximately 200 farmers participate in these markets and include vegetable (both traditional & organic) farmers; orchard growers; meat, dairy, poultry and fish producers; and producers of baked goods, honey, maple syrup, jam, wine and plants.
For listing of all NYC greenmarkets.(PDF File)

"Whenever I travel to a city anywhere around the world, I make it a priority to visit that city's greenmarket, or farmer's market. I've been to some great ones, and I might be a tad bit prejudiced, but I haven't been to many better than the Union Square Greenmarket here in New York City.. You'll find pickings from upstate and New Jersey farms, fresh fish from Long Island, homemade cheese and other dairy products, baked goods, plants, and organic herbs and spices. . " Frommer's Review

Market Facts:

54 markets in 40 locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island 23 markets in 15 locations operate year-round Over 250,000 customers frequent the markets every week in peak season Over $800,000 in Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons were redeemed at Greenmarket in 2000 Over 105 restaurants obtain ingredients from Greenmarket farmers each week 3,000 students from 82 schools participate in Greenmarket's Educational Tours Greenmarket farmers donate about 500,000 pounds of food to City Harvest and other hunger relief organizations each year Source: The Council on the Environment of New York City

PRODUCERS LINKS

FOR UPDATES ON FARM LISTINGS

 

SPRING			The spring season starts with wild leeks (ramps) and asparagus
SUMMER			Heirloom tomatoes are now found throughout the market during the summer months... Corn, peaches, cherries, herbs, cucumbers, watermelon, squash, root vegetables...
AUTUMN			Autumn brings colorful peppers... root vegetables hold out even during the early frost...
WINTER			Mushrooms can be found all year. Shitakes, white caps, portabellos and oyster mushrooms can be found every saturday. Greenhouse stands have a good supply of mesclun... The saturday market stays busy with meat and cheese stands the whole year....