By Phil Corso
Don’t be fooled by its size.
Though the Douglaston Greenmarket may not be as large as others around the borough, this summer packs a charge by collecting your drained batteries.
Douglaston Garden Club President Douglas Montgomery said his group joined with a nearby Staples office supplies store to organize a battery recycling program for the community. As the newest addition to the growing Douglaston farmer’s market, Montgomery and the Garden Club will collect used batteries to be safely disposed of at Staples.
“It’s a perfect way to draw people down to the event and see what is available,” Montgomery said. “They can get rid of their junk and then check out some fresh produce. It seems kind of simple.”
The Douglaston Greenmarket is set up for every Sunday between July 8 and Nov. 18. The farmers will display their wares on 41st Avenue and 235th Street near the neighborhood train station and feature locally grown vegetables, orchard fruit, artisanal cheese and meats, wild-caught seafood and bread and baked goods. Certain weeks will also feature special events like cooking demos, seasonal celebrations and family-friendly activities.
“It definitely brings a sense of community to the area,” Montgomery said. “You either use it or lose it, and I hope Douglaston doesn’t lose it because I think it is a wonderful addition to the community.”
This year’s Douglaston Greenmarket marks the second year in a row when Douglaston residents can converge around their Long Island Rail Road station and browse through an array of fresh, locally grown products.
The market initially made its way to town last year after Montgomery said he and members of Community Board 11 worked to establish one through GrowNYC, a nonprofit that works to engage city residents in environmental and sustainable activities.
Site Manager Alyssa Adkins, a registered dietitian, will be on site, bringing her experiences in nutrition and dietetics to Douglaston.
And, according to Montgomery, this year should draw more people than last year because of a growing business presence in the area surrounding the train station.
“This year there are some new businesses around where the market will be,” Montgomery said. “There should be a lot more activity.”
According to GrowNYC, the Douglaston Greenmarket currently includes seven different farmers, who will contribute an array of fresh ingredients to the mix. Montgomery said shoppers will be given options they do not tend to get anywhere else around town. Other farmers markets throughout the borough typically boast a larger selection of farmers, such as Jackson Heights’ close to 20 vendors and Sunnyside’s 14.
“We may have some good selections at local supermarkets like Fairway, but there is a major difference,” Montgomery said. “The market’s stuff is picked the day before or the morning of. It doesn’t get any fresher than that.”
Reach reporter Phil Corso by e-mail at pcorso@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
