Laurelton celebrated the opening of the first-ever farmers market in the neighborhood this weekend.
The Laurelton Farmers Market, launched by local minority business owner and community leader Dianna Rose, kicked off Saturday, Aug. 15, with 20 vendors offering fresh fruits, vegetables and baked goods.
The farmers market, which is located in the parking lot of the Laurelton Long Island Railroad Station, is expected to run every weekend from mid-August until Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Rose, who said the market was a response to growing calls for better access to quality produce and fresh seafood, brought together the Laurelton/Springfield Gardens Community Garden of Resiliency, the Concerned Citizens of Laurelton Civic Orginization and a handful of other community groups to support the market.
The farmers market kick-off was attended by several elected officials, including New York State Senator Leroy Comrie and Councilman I. Daneek Miller.
“This is the culmination of an idea that many folks have had,” Miller said. “This is what we are about: For us and by us. I am looking forward to supporting this movement here.”
While only one vegetable vendor was in attendance at the first weekend of the Laurelton Farmers Market, Rose asked attendees to canvas their friends and neighbors to find more vendors who may be able to provide fresh vegetables.
The vegetable vendor who did show up offered five free vegetables to anyone who stopped by the booth to make a purchase. The booth was quickly home to longest line at the farmers market.
See photos from the farmers market below.
Additional reporting by Dean Moses.
