44°
DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. Dobbs Ferry residents eager to find fresh, locally grown products for the dinner table are heading back to the Dobbs Ferry Farmers Market, which re-opened June 1 under new management.
Westchester Greenhouses & Farm, based in Hartsdale, has taken over the market, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays through Thanksgiving at the corner of Cedar and Main streets.
Oliver Budiardjo made the trek up from Manhattan and said the locally grown food is more delicious than that found at conventional supermarkets. Budiardjo and others at the market also said a big motivation for buying and selling at the market is to support local agriculture and business. Its nice, said Budiardjo. There seems to be a lot of really fresh produce and the best slice of pizza Ive ever eaten. Aimee Milano, owner of Big Girl Baking Co., said she has been selling items at the market for two years and said shes noticed the dedication of her return customers. She said the local residents are loyal to the farmers and businesses at the market and expects more people to visit as more vendors are added to the market. Milano, a Yonkers resident, said she sells baked goods, granola and nut snacks with an environmentally conscious mindset. We source eggs and fresh fruit locally when we can, said Milano. We try to support our local vendors. A customer who frequents a farmers market wants local produce, has concerns about the environment, sustainability and our energy footprint.
Milano said the quality of products offered at the market is what draws people in because they appreciate the artisan processes that are used. In addition to fresh produce, plants and baked goods, customers can purchase natural, handmade soaps, body bars and lip balm from Anne Ferrari, owner of Vita Pulita. The name means clean life, which Ferrari said she uses as a guide to making her products. She said she scents and colors her soaps with natural, safe ingredients like wine, chocolate and seeds and makes it the old fashioned way using lye and oil. John Nieman, a Dobbs Ferry resident, said he goes to the farmers market once a month to pick out fresh produce for dinner.
I wanted the freshest stuff I could find, Nieman said. Its right off the truck, it doesnt get fresher than that. Nieman said he likes to shop at the market because he wants to support local businesses and choose healthier produce. It doesnt have as much pesticides as vegetables from the grocery store, Nieman said. Its closer to the earth.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Rivertowns and receive free news updates.
