Photo: QueensPost
Sept. 24, 2014 By Christian Murray
The Sunnyside Greenmarket might be open all-year round if the organizers get enough support from the community.
The market, which is located on Skillman Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Streets, is currently open on Saturdays from May through December.
However, Jessenia Cagle, the coordinator of the market, said that the farmers are willing to come to Sunnyside all-year round. She said that she has been circulating a petition calling for market to remain open every Saturday–including during the cold winter months. So far she has 800 signatures.
The petition has recently gone online and can be found by clicking on this link: http://conta.cc/1nxfS6H
“I think the neighborhood is ready for it,” Cagle said. “There are a lot of people in the area who like fresh, local food—and they don’t want to have to go too far to get it especially in winter.”
The market, which opened in June 2007, has been a success, Cagle said. Presently there are 16 farmers/vendors out each weekend selling items such as bread, vegetables, meat and fish.
This year the market opened a month earlier than in previous years and plenty of residents came out and bought items, Cagle said. “We were very busy, it was great,” she said.
The move to open year round would not be unprecedented in Queens. Cagle said the market in Jackson Heights, which was once seasonal, now operates all year round.
Cagle said that not all of the vegetable providers will be able to come out in winter due to the seasonal nature of their produce. However, she expects about 10 vendors will participate during the cold winter months.
“I think if we get enough support, there is a strong possibility that we will be open this winter,” she said.
