By Sadef Ali Kully
One of the longest running farmers market in New York City, the Jamaica Farmers Market, is reopening this Friday with an array of free nutritional programs and cooking demonstrations, as well as its annual pie contest and harvest-time celebration.
The Down to Earth Markets and the Greater Jamaica Development Corporations collaborated more than 15 years ago to revitalize the farmers market that brings in produce from family-owned farms across New York state.
It will open June 19 and run every Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 21.
Cooking demonstrations will be presented by the Cornell University Cooperative Extension every Friday from June 26 to Sept. 25 and nutrition classes by Fabienne Volel will take place every Saturday in July and August, using the fresh fruits and vegetables of the season right from the farmers market.
“It’s seasonal ingredients from the market,” said Nicole Reed, spokeswoman for Down to Earth. “It’s creative ideas for eating nutritional food.”
Among the family farms returning this year are Migliorelli Farm, Alex’s Tomato Farm, Gajeski Produce, Troncillito Farm and Madura Farms, offering seasonal produce ranging from many varieties fruits and vegetables.
For every $5 customers spend at the market using their EBT for SNAP, the HealthDepartment in return will issue a $2 Health Bucks coupon, which can be used for purchases.
This year, the Meredith’s Bread bakery from Kingston, N.Y., will also feature its gluten-free and regular baked goods, including bread and the “sweet stuff,” Reed said.
The theme of this year’s Baked Fruit Pie Contest, which will be held July 25, will be summer berries.
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n addition, the annual Corn Roast is set for Aug. 8 and the Harvest Festival will take place Oct. 17.
The Jamaica Farmers Market is located at160th Street off Jamaica Avenue.
Reach Reporter Sadef Ali Kully by e-mail at skull
