A Big Thanks

A big thank you to Michael Perlman who was our special guest tonight in our first live chat. The discussion covered everything from the future of the Tennis Stadium to how Michael became involved in preservation efforts, to even what to do about the local Farmer’s Market.

If you missed the chat, we are planning to have Michael back sometime after this Thursday’s Tennis Stadium vote, so stay tuned.

Farmer’s Market Faltering

I saw on Queens Central that a visitor to the Farmer’s Market on Metropolitan Ave. this past Saturday found only one vendor there. They said they wondered if it will even survive through to November, after which it is supposed to pack up shop until it returns in the Spring.

If it does not survive it is sad, but understandable. The location just isn’t the best for a Farmer’s Market. These markets have been big hits in the city because they bring fresh local produce to many people who don’t have access to it — in other words, those of us urbanites who don’t own cars. Now, it seems to me Forest Hills is divided into the part that includes more of the car-less (in the area surrounding Queens Blvd.) and then there is the area where the majority is car-reliant (those surrounding Metropolitan Ave.) Now, where is the best place for a Farmer’s Market? Closer to Queens Blvd. it would seem.

Someone once mentioned having the Farmer’s Market in Station Square – once again, a fantastic idea. And of course like all of them these days, one that is not being done for who knows what reasons.

So as for the Farmer’s Market suffering from dwindling business, I am not that surprised given that it’s a schlep for us pedestrian urbanites to walk to, while there isn’t that much of a demand for it among the car owners who are right near it.

The fact that the person who went there saw only one vendor definitely spells bad news – obviously the others are giving up on the location. But, keep in mind, that the business there also isn’t being helped by the opening of the Twin Value this past Friday, and the fact that it is the middle of August vacation season. Heck, even the lines at Natural this past weekend seemed to be much shorter than normal. So I guess we will see how it goes, but an easy way to fix this would be to move the Farmer’s Market to a location near Queens Blvd.

Fresh From the Farm

Yes, it’s hot, but the more we march on down to the new Farmer’s Market on Metropolitan this summer, the more goodies the farmers will bring us from now until Saturday, November 20th, the last day they are in town before they take the winter off.

And just think how nice it will be to cook up your delicious Thanksgiving Dinner with all those fresh foods from these local farmers. The forecast calls for pie!

The Market will be at 101-15 Metropolitan Avenue, rain or shine, Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 20th.

If you are walking down 71st Avenue hang a right when you get to Metropolitan and you will see it tucked into a parking area on the north side of Metropolitan. It’s very close to 71st.

Farmer’s Market Returns Today

I just finished a couple of apricots I bought at the new Farmer’s Market on Metropolitan last Saturday and boy were they delish!

If the rain kept you away last weekend, then today is another chance to visit our very own neighborhood Farmer’s Market — yes, just like the one’s they have in the big city! Last weekend I was told that today they will have vegetables and baked goods in addition to the fruit, homemade jams, juices, nuts and other assorted offerings they had last weekend.

The Market will be at 101-15 Metropolitan Avenue, rain or shine, Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 20th.

If you are walking down 71st Avenue hang a right when you get to Metropolitan and you will see it tucked into a parking area on the north side of Metropolitan. It’s very close to 71st.

The entrance to the Green Market off of Metropolitan Ave.

Food, Glorious Food!

One of the things I’ve learned since starting this blog a few weeks ago is the strong interest many Forest Hills residents have in gaining access to better quality, healthier food. This relatively new blog has seen a jump in traffic since I posted photos of what many other people in New York City already take for granted — a local Farmer’s Market.
In case you’re not aware, this Saturday was the first day for the Forest Hills Farmer’s Market on Metropolitan Avenue. (see my previous posts for the photos and information about the new Market.) Attendance the first day wasn’t bad, but was held down by the heavy rain. But judging by the online interest in the Market shown by visitors here and on blogs like Queen Central, it should be a big success.
This all points to one of the most unfortunate things about living the “urban” life here in Forest Hills — which partly means you, like me, do not own a car because you moved to Forest Hills from Manhattan and didn’t own one then and aren’t going to start now for a bunch of reasons — without a car you are restricted to Key Food or Associated for your supermarket. Not something to jump for joy about. Have you seen the quality of produce in Key Food? Thank God we also have Natural to fulfill our need for that!
But take one trip to any suburban town, or Manhattan, and you see what we carless have been missing. There are entire categories of new foods that have arisen over the years that I probably haven’t even encountered!
So it’s no surprise to me that there is such an interest in the new Farmer’s Market with its charming mixture of fresh, high quality produce and gourmet food, something our community has been sorely lacking.
If some developer or supermarket chain finally realizes that there are plenty of carless Forest Hillers who are aching for a pleasurable grocery experience within easy walking distance they will be rewarded with a very successful business indeed, as the Farmer’s Market vendors are discovering.

Forest Hills Farmer’s Market – Day One

The market was open today, despite the rain. It was small and cozy.

I was told by the manager it will be there at 101-15 Metropolitan Avenue, rain or shine, Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 20th.

Today they had fruits, nuts, dried fruit, juices, homemade jams and a booth offering imported Greek olive oil. Next weekend it will also have veggies and baked goods.

The vendors said there was a good crowd before it started raining this afternoon.

By the way, some people are confused as to where exactly the Market is located. If you are walking down 71st Avenue hang a right when you get to Metropolitan and you will see it tucked into a parking area on the north side of Metropolitan. It’s very close to 71st.

The entrance to the Farmer's Market off of Metropolitan Ave.

Farmer’s Market Tomorrow

Yes, it’s true, we now have a weekly alternative to Natural and the one or two other decent grocers in our neighborhood: our own Farmer’s Market, which has its inaugural debut this Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm.

This new weekly Farmer’s Market will be held  at 101-15 Metropolitan Avenue (right off 71st Avenue). It will be there every Saturday from 8am – 4pm.

Organizers promise lots of fresh farm produce from local farms.

What’s better than a nice fresh peach or plum during the summer?

New Farmer’s Market

Reposting this great news from the Queens Central blog’s forums:

“It took a bit of work, but Weichert Realty has arranged with Harvest Home Organization for a weekly Farmer’s Market to take place in our parking lot. There will be lots of fresh farm produce from local farms. Details are as follows:

101-15 Metropolitan Avenue (right off 71st Avenue)
Every Saturday (starting July 10th), 8am – 4pm

Please come show your support, by visiting the first farmer’s market on Saturday, July 10th. We’re hoping for a great turn out, so we can make this a permanent part of the Forest Hills community.”