New Rochelle's Farmers Market Opens Friday

On Friday, the annual New Rochelle Farmers Market starts for the season, bringing fruits and vegetables—and other goodies—to downtown.

The market, located on Library Green between the and Huguenot Street, will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony, with remarks by Mayor Noam Bramson, at 10:30 a.m.

Frankie Rowland, marketing director for Community Markets, said the core group of vendors from last season will be returning to New Rochelle.

"What is exciting is the return of Acevedo's Farm," she said. "He was wiped out by Hurricane Irene."

The vendors this year are:

In addition to seasonal fruits and vegetable, market-goers can expect cooking demonstrations and music performances throughout the season.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Marti Wolfson from the in Rye Brook will show people how to make a fresh meal from the market's ingredients. Rowland did not yet know what the recipe would be.

Rowland said the advantages of farmers markets include being able to have a face-to-face relationship with the person growing the food.

"And people's purchases go on to invest in local economies and support local agriculture," she said.

A returning feature will be the availability of recipe cards at the managers tent.

"A lot of times people are intimidated by new vegetables," Rowland said. "The recipe cards give them ways to prepare new things."

Community Markets is revamping their Web site and will have a vegetable and fruit availability chart, something they don't have now.

Rowland did say, however, that because of the recent unseasonal warm weather some fruits and vegetables may be available earlier than usual.