Community Corner

Rockland Farmers' Markets Open for Business

Summer is here and what better way to stay healthy, help the environment and your community by buying fresh fruits and vegetables grown by local farmers

“As part of our New York State Department of Health Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play grant, there are now two more Farmers’ Markets in Rockland” said Kathleen M. Henry, R.N., M.A., Acting Commissioner of Health. “One new farmers’ market is in Pomona at Eugene Levy Park, and the other is in West Haverstraw at Peck’s Pond Park.”

Concerned that quality produce, packed with vitamins and minerals, might be too expensive? Not to worry! Lots of Rockland’s farmers’ markets take food stamps and participate in the New York State Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), which offers funding assistance to women, children and seniors. 

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To see if you quality for this program based on your income, WIC participants can call (845) 364-2577 and seniors can call the Office for the Aging at (845) 364-2100. You can also visit www.snaptomarket.com/ or call (845) 364-2020.

“Residents can now use their food stamp benefits to buy fresh, healthy, affordable, locally grown foods at three farmers’ markets this season,” said Henry. “Last season only one farmers’ market accepted these benefits,” said Kathleen M. Henry, R.N., M.A., Acting Commissioner of Health

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Local Foods Connection’s website offers several reasons to buy local produce from farms: 

  • Farms use less tax resources – for every $1 in revenue raised by residential development, the government must spend $1.17 on services while farms only spend $.34 in comparison. 
  • Make sure there are farms in the future – supporting your local farm will help it survive throughout the years allowing it to continue to produce healthy food for future generations.
  • Benefit the environment – Fertitle soil and clean water resources are valued and looked after on farms. Farms also preserve open space.
  • Eat younger food, reduce carbon output – food that is flown in from other countries or states is usually older than locally produced food by the time you eat it. Freshly picked foods are tastier and contain more nutrients. Food grown in the U.S. travels about 1,500 miles on average to get from the farm to you. When food is grown locally less energy and carbon output is used to deliever that food.

Here is a listing of farmers’ markets in Rockland County: 

Nyack Farmers’ Market - Thursdays from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm, through Nov. 21

  • Located at the municipal parking lot on Main Street, Bus Routes: TOR #59, #91, #92, TAPPAN ZEExpress, Rockland Coaches #9 - 9A
  • This market accepts FMNP (WIC/Senior Checks)

Haverstraw Farmers’ Market - Sundays from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, through Oct. 27

  • Located in front of the Haverstraw Village Hall on Maple Avenue
  • Bus Routes: TOR #91, Rockland Coaches #11A
  • This market accepts SNAP (EBT) cards

Piermont Farmers’ Market - Sundays from 9:30 am - 3:00 pm, through Nov. 24

  • Located at the corner of Piermont Avenue and Ash Street
  • Bus Route: Rockland Coaches #9A
  • This market accepts FMNP (WIC/Senior Checks)

Spring Valley Farmers’ Market - Wednesdays from 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, June 19 - Nov. 20

  • Located Memorial Park Community Parking Lot, 1 Veterans Drive
  • Bus Routes: TOR #59, #91, #92, #94 TAPPAN ZEExpress, Rockland Coaches #11A and #11C
  • This market accepts SNAP (EBT) cards and FMNP (WIC/Senior Checks)

Stony Point Farmers’ Market - Saturdays from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm, through October

  • Located at the Town of Stony Point Town Hall, 74 E. Main Street

Suffern Farmers’ Market - Saturdays from 8:30 am - 1:00 pm, through Oct. 26

  • Located at the corner of Lafayette and Orange Avenues
  • Bus Routes: TOR #59, #93, LOOP #3

Ramapo Farmers’ Market - Sundays from 12:30 - 4:30 pm, through Oct. 27

  • Located at Eugene Levy Park, 920 Route 45, Pomona
  • Bus Routes: TOR # 91
  • This market accepts FMNP (WIC/Senior Checks)

West Haverstraw Farmers’ Market - Thursdays from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm, June 27 - Oct. 10

  • Located at Peck’s Pond Park, 130 Samsondale Avenue behind Municipal Hall
  • Bus Routes: TOR  # 95
    This market accepts SNAP (EBT) cards and FMNP (WIC/Senior Checks) 

For more information about Rockland’s Farmers’ Markets visit www.rocklandsteps.org/farmers-markets or call the Health Department at (845) 364-2500.

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