Fresh winter veggies from Long Island farmers
Customers shop at the Winter Farmers Market held at the Jack Abrams School gym in Huntington Station. (Dec. 2, 2012) Credit: Steve Pfost
Missing farm-fresh vegetables? The summer growing season may be over, but a new crop of fresh, locally grown vegetables are available across Long Island, with more farms than ever offering winter Community-Supported Agriculture shares or setting up booths at indoor farmers markets.
"A lot of people have gotten used to the fresh vegetables from the summer share and don't really want to go back to the grocery store or buy organic from California," says Eve Kaplan-Walbrecht, co-owner of Garden of Eve in Riverhead. "With a CSA share, you can eat locally pretty much year-round."
A CSA share allows consumers to pay upfront and receive a portion of the farmer's harvest throughout the season. Dozens of farms run CSAs from late spring through fall -- now a handful are offering winter shares of crops straight from the farm's root cellar (think potatoes, carrots, beets, rutabaga) or greens such as kale and Swiss chard that can be grown in a greenhouse.
"These hearty foods are what people should be eating," says Maggie Kurek, co-owner of The Golden Earthworm Organic Farm in Jamesport.
Shoppers can also peruse such offerings at winter farmers markets, where you'll also find artisanal cheeses, handmade pasta, breads and jams.
WINTER CSAs
Deep Lane, Amagansett
INFO 631-283-3195, peconiclandtrust.org
COST $360 family, $225 individual
DISTRIBUTION Every other Friday and Saturday through Feb. 23.
652 Peconic Bay Blvd., Jamesport
INFO 631-722-3302, goldenearthworm.com
COST $146 (18 pounds per delivery)
DISTRIBUTION Five Tuesday deliveries from Dec. 18 through March 12, Pick up at the farm or sites in Port Washington and Manhasset.
4558 Sound Ave., Riverhead
INFO 631-722-8777, gardenofevefarm.com
COST $290 (15-20 pounds per month); add-ons include a $180 meat share (3-6 pounds of beef, chicken, lamb or pork) or $30 egg share (one dozen per delivery)
DISTRIBUTION First weekend of the month December through May. Pick up at the farm or in Roslyn Heights.
25180 County Rd. 48, Peconic
INFO 631-734-7001, sangleefarms.com
COST $265 for six pickups (15-20 pounds each; $42 eggs (a dozen organic eggs each time) $33 nonorganic apple share (3 pounds each); $33 nonorganic cider share (1/2-gallon each time)
DISTRIBUTION Dec. 18, Jan. 8, Jan. 29, Feb. 19 and March 12 at the farm.
FARMERS MARKETS
WHEN|WHERE 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays through April 28, Jack Abrams School gym, Lowndes Avenue at Tower Street
INFO 631-944-2661, winterfarmersmarketlongisland.com
Open three years, this market has 25-30 vendors each week. In addition to four local farmers, expect others selling bread, cheese, jam, soup and pasta.
WHEN|WHERE 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays Jan. 5-March 30, St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 270 Main St.
INFO 631-944-2661, winterfarmersmarketlongisland.com
Although smaller than its sister market in Huntington, here you'll still find a selection of vegetables, cheeses, breads, hot sauces, vegan and gluten-free baked goods and handmade pastas.
WHEN|WHERE 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays through December, then Feb. 16 through mid-May, inside Bay Burger restaurant, 1742 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Tpke.
INFO 646-286-6264
In its third year, the Fair Foods Farmers' Market has up to 15 vendors, almost all of which are Long Islanders. Offerings include vegetables, handmade pasta, baked goods and homemade empanadas.
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