My favorite vegetables are the ones that still have soil on them!
There was only ever one carrot when I was a child; I knew it was orange and topped with a head full of green leaves. Only recently, I discovered there are also yellow carrots and purple carrots too! I realized that I loved the yellow ones, as a raw snack or boiled into a stew.
This was the same season I discovered heirloom tomatoes, marbled with yellow, red, purple and green flesh. I sliced them up and salted them for toasted tomato sandwiches.
This time of joy, curiosity, and rediscovery was all thanks to my local farmer’s market in Queens. I won’t even get started on the fruits, jams and baked goods that I also stocked up on.
If you’re ready to finally taste the difference in fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms, we have you covered with a guide. Choose a location and drop in to see what delicious items have just been harvested!
Mt. Morris Park Herben Farmers Market (6316 Mt Morris Park W, Harlem)
This market offers all of the delicious vegetables and fruits in season. They also surprise visitors with their wide selection of baked goods, flowers, cheese, and fresh meats as well! If you visit them, make sure to inquire about their free recipe repertoire.
This is also one of the markets that have organic produce! It’s worth checking out during your next grocery shopping spree.
125th Fresh Connect Farmers Market (163 West 125th Street, Harlem)
As well as a great array of seasonally harvested items, this market offers some specialties. If you visit them during their open hours before other excited shoppers, you’ll have first dibs on their coffee vendors, fresh honey and craft items. The jam, wine, and honey are their best-selling products and sure to please those who love a good spread.
Grand Army Plaza Green Market (Prospect Park West, Brooklyn)
This is the second largest market in NYC and for a good reason. The items that they provide surpass any of the expectations most would have. Vendors from all over NYC and beyond offer seasonal produce as well as baked goods, animal skins, mushrooms, and wine. This is just a fraction of the year-round market.
Bushwick Farmers Market (Knickerbocker Ave & Starr St, Brooklyn)
This farmer’s market keeps it classic by selling fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season and sourced locally. The vendors that sell their goods are also local and have a personal connection to the farmers market location; it is one of the few operating in the neighborhood.
Park Slope Down To Earth Farmers Market (4th Street at 5th Avenue, Brooklyn)
Vegan and organic options are a crucial reason that this market is a great option for shoppers. You can stop by and expect to see vendors selling goods like honey, meats, dairy, and sauces. The diverse options allow visitors to get a bit of everything they need with an added sense of freshness and artisan touch.
Jackson Heights Green Market (34th Ave between 79th & 80th Sts, Queens)
Along with their produce, eggs, poultry, and fish, this market has something the others don’t. The neighborhood is famous for its diversity, and it lives up to that by showcasing specialty items from Mexican produce. You can grab something new here and immerse your palette in the flavors of the culture.
NYBG Farmers Markets (2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx)
This small market offers big flavor. Stop by for tantalizing fruits and veggies like sun-ripened apples and peaches or rainbow chard full of crunch. They receive fresh apple cider, fresh cider donuts and other fall goodies around September. Stopping by soon also gives you a chance to snag some of the last harvested summer fruits. A large portion of fruits and vegetables are harvested right from the garden itself, taking fresh to another level.
Corona Green Market (Roosevelt Ave & 103rd St, Queens)
You can shop for all your staples here as well as some ingredients customary in Asian and Hispanic cuisine. Depending on the month and day you drop in, you can find assorted leafy greens, root veggies, crisp cider, herbs, and fresh pressed juices.
Union Square Green Market (North and West sides of Union Square Park, Manhattan)
One of the largest in New York City, the Union Square Market is famous for the number of participants. On any visit, you’ll find artisan baked goods, spice rubs, fresh pollen, and wild honey, tea blends and fresh meats. You’ll also likely find dairy products like fresh cheese wheels, cheese spreads, and yogurts.
Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal Green Market (4 South Street, inside ferry terminal building, Manhattan)
The beautiful location of this market makes it an easy pick for those wanting to make a day of their visit. The access to the ferry means you’ll see quite a crowd here and should plan to make your choices quickly before a product is snatched up. The selection of sweets such as honey, pies, pastries and other baked goods mix wonderfully with the live plants and flowers you can purchase.
Tompkin Square Green Market (Ave A and East 7th St, Manhattan)
If you’re all filled up on veggies and fruits, you should still visit Tompkin Square Market. They offer fresh eggs, bottled milk, and meats that you won’t find in your nearby markets. Those who love to switch it up in the kitchen will have lots of inspiration once they browse the vendors.
St. George Green Market (St. Mark's Place and Hyatt St, Staten Island)
It’s a trip for those in the city, but worth it! The St.George Green Market has fresh seafood amongst the fruits and veggies they also sell. The combination of Farmer’s Market classic and seasonal meat and sea fare combine the best of both worlds for foodies looking to eat fresco.
Staten Island Mall Green Market (2655 Richmond Ave, Staten Island)
This market offers assorted fruits and vegetables that are in season. You can find berries, greens and many other juicy, vitamin-rich picks here. This is also one of the markets that sell freshly caught seafood and other regional items that can bring new inspiration to your meals and restock your cabinets with vibrancy.
The farmer’s markets all run on their schedule and include their selections of goods. For information on which days they operate and during which hours, just go ahead to their website. Also interesting, you can surf their sites for specific vendor information which allows you to find exactly what you’re looking for. Each market offers its special items to visitors, so it’s best to shop around at a few to meet the vendors and sample new products.
Although we are in Fall, there are still sweet fruits to purchase such as berries and peaches. The star of this month is the apple! If you’re looking to buy some sweet or sour apples for desserts or plain snacking, many kinds will be available for purchase at any of the markets we’ve listed above. For an even more intimate and interactive experience, you can pick plump apples all on your own at any of the neighboring orchards near NYC. Find an apple orchard near you in our Apple Picking Guide, and make a new memory this Fall.