Growing year-round: Guide to Manhattan’s winter greenmarkets
Meagan Morris, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Craving fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy, but think you're out of luck because it's wintertime? You're not. Plenty of New York City farmers markets are open year-round.
"My favorite time to go to the greenmarkets is in the winter, because you have to get so much more creative about what you're going to make," said Jeanne Hodesh, publicity coordinator for Grow NYC, a non-profit that supports and expands farmers' markets.
All season, she says, the markets can be a treasure trove of interesting finds.
"Right now we're seeing a lot of goat meat come into the greenmarket. There's lots of cheese and dairy," though she said sometimes dairy producers are halted by low temperatures that crack bottles. "There are root vegetables galore, pickles and preserves, baked goods, jams, chutneys," as well as unique, farmer-ground grains and dried beans.
Curious about how to prepare the bounty? "At each market there's a manager's stand and they'll always have recipes on hand." Or she says, ask the farmers.
"The farmers are always the best people to ask; they have a million different ideas of different ways to cook something. This is what they're eating all winter long."
The city has 21 markets open year-round - visit http://www.grownyc.org/ourmarkets for a complete list, or see below for Manhattan's best.
97th Street Greenmarket
Location:97th street between Columbus and Amsterdam
Open: Fridays 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
This farmers market on the Upper West Side boasts favorites like preserves from Beth's Farm Kitchen, bread and pastries from Baker's Bounty, dairy from Ronnybrook Farm Dairy and an assortment of fresh meats. They change the selection up during the winter with organic fruits and vegetables from Hydrogarden Farm and D&J Organic Farm along with cheese, smoked meats, pickles and baked goods from Millport Dairy in Lancaster County, Penn.
St. Stevens Greenmarket
Location: 82nd Street between 1st and York Avenues
Open: Saturdays 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1
Set on the sidewalk and courtyard surrounding St. Stevens Church, this market offers fruits, vegetables, baked goods, cheese, local wines and much more. With community events — such as cooking demonstrations and recipe exchanges — it's a must-visit.
77th Street Greenmarket
Location: Columbus Avenue between 79th and 81st
Open: Sundays 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
In addition to greenmarket staples, you'll find exotic mushrooms, hard pretzels and roof-top honey at this market.
Abingdon Square Greenmarket
Location: Hudson & 8th Avenue between West 12th & Bethune Streets
Open: Saturdays 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., but closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1
This Greenwich Village market has provided for locals for about 17 years. While you're picking up some fresh ingredients, plan to be inspired by frequent cooking demonstrations. During the winter season only they offer organic vegetables from a nearby hydrogarden farm.
Bowling Green Greenmarket
Location: Broadway at Battery Place
Open: Tuesdays and Thursdays 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Open twice during the work week, try to stop by while on your commute. Enjoy seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as baked goods like pot pies and quiches.
Columbia Greenmarket
Location: Broadway between 114th and 115th streets
Open: Thursdays and Sundays 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursdays are focused on convenient offerings for busy professionals who are on the go. You'll find baked goodies, milk, fruits, vegetables, maple syrup, smoked meats and more. On Sundays, you'll have access to fresh fish from Pura Vida and local goat cheese from Ardith Mae Farm, as well as organic greens from Monkshood Nursery.
Dag Hammarskjold Plaza Greenmarket
Location: 47th Street at Second Avenue
Open: Wednesday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Around the corner from the United Nations, this market features unique offerings — like microgreens and pimientos de padron — as well as glass-bottled milk, vegetables, meats, smoked fish, ice cream and more.
Inwood Greenmarket
Location: Isham St. between Seaman Avenue and Cooper St.
Open: Saturdays 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1
Here you'll find organic and bio-dynamic products, fresh fish from Westhampton, cider, homemade baked goods, seasonal fresh fruit, milk, honey and more. GrowNYC's Textile Recycling is here every Saturday as well, so you can easily bring your unwanted clothes, linens and other textiles.
Port Authority Bus Terminal Greenmarket
Location: 42nd Street at 8th Avenue, inside north wing of bus terminal at street level
Open: Thursdays 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
While in transit, stop by this market for some organic vegetables — or even lunch — from Katchkie Farm; fruit, cider and more from Prospect Hill Orchards; Long Island wines from New York Wine and Grape Foundation.
Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal Greenmarket
Location: 4 South Street inside the ferry terminal building
Open: Tuesdays and Fridays 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Look forward to a respite from the cold weather at this indoor market, where you'll find fruits, meats, maple syrup, honey and baked goods.
Tompkins Square Greenmarket
Location: Ave A and East 7th St
Open: Sundays 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
This East Village market offers affordable and specialty foods, fruits, dairy products, baked goods, honey, maple syrup and more.
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Photo: Benjamin Cavallari, 29, left, and Katie Markelz, 23, center, and Joy Spontak, 63, sample cheeses from Willow Hill Farm of Milton, Vt., during the Montpelier Winter Farmer's Market, Saturday, Dec. 6 , 2008, in Montpelier, Vt. (AP Photo/Alden Pellett)
