Throggs Neck can expect to see its first traditional farmers market real soon.
On Tuesday, June 12, the Northeast Bronx Community Farmers Market will have its grand opening outside Preston High School on Schurz Avenue.
While, the group running the market is called the Northeast Bronx Community Farmers Market Project, its founders are all part of the Community Supported Agriculture group in Locust Point, making them no strangers to the neighborhood or the fresh food community.
“We have a really diverse socioeconomic mix in this neighborhood,” said Sherrill Cropper, co-founder of the farmers market project. “We wanted to create a place people can go and buy food that’s fresh and learn how to make healthier choices.”
The market will continue every Tuesday until November from 4 to 7 p.m. and will feature products, fresh produce, entertainment and wellness courses by local and regional vendors.
Some of the vendors that can be expected on the first day include DIG Farm, Bronxite-owned Sweet Milk and Sugar Bakery, Waterside Candles from Silver Beach, and Lewis Waite Farm from Greenwich, NY.
“We want to make sure people have access to foods they can cook themselves,” said co-founder, Chrys Napolitano, who explained opening day would be a smaller version of the market, but the number of vendors would increase as contracts continue to be signed.
Most of the farmers markets in the borough are held in the west Bronx.
However there are other groups, like the Northeast Bronx Community Farmers Market Project, who are trying to make the ‘farm-to-table’ experience more accessible for others in borough.
“If you introduce people to vegetables and how to cook them earlier on, we cross our fingers and hope they’ll continue to eat and cook with them,” said co-founder Lourdes Gamez.
The trio has said they are excited and nervous for opening day, but are not worried because they are prepared.
Along with various products, food and entertainment, the market is expected to have a community corner, where people can learn about different programs and services in the area.
There will also be an area where participants can even watch small cooking demonstrations to learn how to prepare foods they purchased at the market.
Since there has not been much precedent for farmers markets in Throggs Neck, they do not have big expectations.
The trio even mentioned the inclusion of yoga, zumba, or other fitness classes as part of the market experience.
Cropper, Napolitano, and Gamez do hope that their organization and the market would continue to get better through this year’s running and would make for even better ones in the future.
While the market is based in Throggs Neck, it is open to everyone who wants to attend.
The group encourages all local and regional vendors who want to participate in this year’s farmers market, to contact them at bronx
They are also still looking for local entertainers, whether amateurs, professionals or school groups. Those interested can also contact the NBCMP by email.
For more information on the Northeast Bronx Community Farmers Market Project, visit their Facebook page: faceb
