STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — In the dead of winter, the Greenmarket in St. George stays vibrant and alive each Saturday. Fish caught from chilly Long Island waters and stellar, hand-crafted goat cheeses are among the draws to the year round farmers market.
Local producers collect behind the St. George Theatre from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Despite the season, there are indeed vegetables to hunt and gather from the Greenmarket stands. Midnite Mushrooms from Vineland, N.J., is the market’s newest producer. The growers joined the market in November and currently offer oyster, chestnut, pioppino, and lion’s mane mushrooms.
Other edibles expected this weekend are root veggies, fresh kale, collard greens, spinach and microgreens.
Shoppers should always check the Grow NYC website here before heading out — Grownyc.org/greenmarket/staten-island/saint-george — to see about last minute changes. Sometimes farmers must skip due to weather conditions or other circumstances. The market management encourages customers to shop earlier in the event weather changes quickly. Occasionally blustery conditions prompt producers to pack up and head out a little early.
BAD NEWS ON COMPOSTING
As for compost collection — the Mayor’s budget cuts defunded all community compost programs as of Jan. 1.
According to GrowNYC staff, that bloodletting put a dent in eight other not-for-profits including NYC Grow partners like Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden. As per GrowNYC, the organization that coordinates the city’s Greenmarkets, “Cutting community composting and outreach programs will result in the elimination of these invaluable services and the loss of over 115 green jobs.”
But there’s once again the Winter Warrior program to which to look forward! The loyalty program gives a green thumb up for trekking to the market in the colder months.
To participate, sign up at the Greenmarket info tent on Saturday and score a punchcard. Each time a patron visits the market between now and…
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