May 20, 2016 Staff Report
A youth market is opening in Ditmars Park this summer that will be in operation every Saturday through fall.
Residents will be able to buy food grown at farms in the region, receive nutritional education and be offered cooking demonstrations. The workers will be young adults, since the market is a joint venture of GrowNYC and Global Kids.
The market will open for the year on Saturday, July 9, and will run through Nov. 19. Its hours will be from 9am to 4pm.
Ditmars Park is located on Steinway Street between Ditmars Blvd and 23rd Avenue.
City Councilman Costa Constantinides today announced that he will allocate $10,000 of city funds toward the fledgling market to help get it going.
“Eating seasonal and local produce is important for our nutrition and to help support our local farming economy,” Constantinides said. “Buying local produce also reduces pollution that would be created through transporting food long distances.”
The market will offer a range of fresh, affordable fruits and vegetables. For the list of venders, click here.
“We are thrilled to bring a GrowNYC Youthmarket to Ditmars Park and the residents of Astoria,” said GrowNYC Executive Director, Marcel Van Ooyen.
“Our Youthmarket program is a unique model that teaches neighborhood youth to run a farmstand, supplied by GrowNYC’s own wholesale distribution arm, Greenmarket Co., while also helping them to be ambassadors for healthy, seasonal eating to their families and neighbors.
There are currently no Youthmarkets in Astoria.
There are two greenmarkets in the neighborhood. One is located at Socrates Sculpture Park and the other on 14th Street and 31st Avenue.
