August 4-10th is National Farmers Market Week, and we’d like to take this opportunity to share our love and support of our local farms. With over 40% of our produce grown nearby, all under 200 miles, we differ from a farmers market by stocking their food 7 days a week! And while 40% may not sound like a large amount, if our local farmers could grow citrus, avocados and other tropical fruits in the Northeast, they would. Nearly everything we sell, that can be grown in local soil, is.

Farmers markets preserve America’s rural livelihoods and farmland, and they stimulate local economies. Surrounding NYC is a plethora of farmland, and without a market to sell to, multi-generational farmers would be out of work. Our produce buyer, Mickey Davis, works closely with farms across NY, NJ and PA, to bring in the best apples, corn, melons, eggplant, summer squash, berries, onions and more. Lancaster Coop collects stunning fruits and veggies from all over Pennsylvania and brings it in one trip, 3 times a week, from farms such as Elm Tree Organics, Shady Brook Organics, while Grow NYC brings us fresh kale and stone fruit.

Sometimes these farmers are bringing the whole farm right to the city! Young, educated folk with a green thumb are coming here to create green space amongst our cement and steel. Brooklyn Grange is one of these, and in just 3 years have become the leading rooftop farming and intensive roof greening business in the US, and supply us with fresh, mixed greens and arugula. Just down the road on Bergen Street, Feedback Farms brings us Shishito peppers, and heirloom tomatoes and eggplant. Check back this weekend to learn about the other types of local farms we support!