Farmers market community happily gathers for a new season

By AMY SOWDER

As May temperatures nibble at the warm and breezy 70s, white tents blossom in the sunshine. Underneath those ivory blooms, folding tables glisten with ruby-red strawberries, waves of rainbow Swiss chard, peppery pink radishes and elegant stalks of asparagus. Farmers and artisans stand by, ready to feed the roaming eyes that latch onto their creations.

Welcome to farmers market season. The accompanying photos were taken by Robert J. Cummings at the opening of the Muscoot Farm Farmers Market. On a beautiful Sunday, May 10, families browsed among the vendors' tents; children flocked to hear the music of Jack Grace; visitors gathered to see sheep getting their spring "haircuts;" farm manager Jonathon Benjamin explained the shearing process; and kids couldn't wait to get their hands on the sheep.

These hubs of horticulture and culinary craftsmanship are so much more than just a place to buy local food and artisan goods — which is reason enough.

“One of the things that makes the market special is the sense of family it creates among the vendors. Vendors are incredibly supportive of one another and look for ways to collaborate,” said Frank Erlanger, manager of the John Jay Homestead Farm Market. The market returns to Lot 2 in downtown Katonah for the 2026 season while the Homestead’s renovations continue. 

“Katonah, and the Katonah Chamber of Commerce, have welcomed the market with open arms and have made us feel right at home,” he said.

The importance of community crops up a lot when discussing the value of farmers markets.

Gerald and Caity Massoud, owners of Chiaroscuro Coffee based in Brewster, see the community aspect of farmers markets as the first step in their larger business plan. 

The Massouds participated in the wintertime Bedford Hills Community Market. For late spring, summer and fall, their coffee table will pop-up at the North Salem Farmers Market in Croton Falls and the Farmers Market at Honeybee Grove in Somers.

“We, eventually, want to be a curated space for people in our community where they can sit down with a good cup of coffee, buy flowers or something for themselves, get a gift, and have a space just for them,” Gerald said. “For now, it’s about connecting with the community.”

Use this guide for your farmers market needs, whether it’s for a fun browsing excursion, neighborhood networking or your weekly grocery haul.

Chappaqua Farmers Market

When and where: Saturdays through  Dec. 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Chappaqua train station, 108 Allen Place, Chappaqua.

Good to know:  There’s a green textile bin at the market for dropping off used clothing or textiles. The market was founded in 2010.

Also: There are more than 40 vendors, area musicians, and kids and educational activities.

More information: Visit chappaquafarmersmarket.org and @chappaquafarmersmarket on Instagram.

Gossett Brothers 

When and where: Saturdays, year-round, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1202 Route 35, South Salem.

Good to know: The market is in the greenhouse during the winter and outside the rest of the year.

Also: Besides gardening classes and other special events, look for wine tasting events or just sit for a bite to eat, a latte or glass of wine at the nursery’s Gardenside Kitchen & Coffee Bar and South Salem Winery.

More information: Visit gossettnursery.squarespace.com/farmers-market and @gossettbrothers on Instagram.

Honeybee Grove

When and where: Sundays, June 7 through Oct. 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Honeybee Grove Flower Farm, 265 Route 202, Somers. 

Good to know: Overflow parking is at the Elephant Hotel, next door at the corner of Routes 100 and 202; friendly, well-behaved dogs are allowed in the front grassy area of the market but not on the farm or in the gardens.

Also: There’s live music the first Sunday of the month; the U-pick flower portion of the farm will be open during market hours, starting at the end of July.

More information: Visit honeybeegrove.com/farmers-market and @honeybeegroveflowers on Instagram.

John Jay Homestead Farm Market

When and where: Saturdays through Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 190 Katonah Ave., Lot 2, Katonah.

Good to know: Follow signs indicating entrance at Coldwell Banker and exit at Katonah Art and Frame Shop for safe traffic flow. Parking is available in Lot 2 and on Katonah Avenue.

Also: Besides featuring more than 25 local vendors each week, the market highlights local musicians with performances from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The REV Up 250 coalition will join the market for the 2026 season, including a reading of the Declaration of Independence at the July Fourth market. In June, expect an initiative to benefit local food pantries.

More information: Visit johnjayhomestead.org/events/farm-market or @jjhfarmmarket on Instagram.

Mount Kisco Farmers and Makers Market

When and where: Sundays May 17 through Nov. 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Kirby Plaza by the Mount Kisco train station

Good to know: Moved from the adjacent parking lot, this market is now more centrally located with more shade from nearby trees. 

Also: The market features local farms, food and handmade goods, plus live music, educational and kids activities. In October, there’s a children’s Halloween costume parade.

More information: Visit mkfarmersmarket.com and @mkfarmersmarket on Instagram.

Muscoot Farmers Market

When and where: Sundays through Nov. 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Muscoot Farm, 51 Route 100, Katonah.

Good to know: No pets are permitted. The farm is open to the public daily, year-round except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Also: The farm is run by Westchester County Parks and preserves Westchester County’s agricultural, cultural and natural heritage from 1880 to 1930. In 2016, the farm was renamed in memory of Alfred B. DelBello, a county executive from 1974 to 1983 who helped preserve the park as an interactive farm during his tenure.

More information: Visit muscootfarm.org/markets and @muscootfarm on Instagram.

New Canaan Farmers Market

When and where: Saturdays through Dec. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 244 Elm St., New Canaan, Conn.

Good to know: June 7 is Worldwide Knit in Public Day; Aug. 2 is Zucchini Day when you can bring your garden surplus zucchini to the market for donation to a food bank. The largest zucchini wins a prize.

Also: Live music is usually performed by Henry Jones; Aug. 16 has a Julia Child Look-a-like Contest; and Aug. 23 includes a back-to-school supply drive and fun for the kids. More information: Visit newcanaanfarmersmarket.net for details.

North Salem Farmers Market

When and where: Saturdays through Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., commuter parking lot, Back Street, Croton Falls.

Good to know: This is the first season the market is held weekly. The market is next to the Croton Falls train station, and there is plenty of free parking, including accessible parking.

Also: Expect more than 25 vendors, children’s activities and live music.

More information: Visit northsalemfarmersmarket.org and @northsalemnyfarmersmarket on Instagram.

Pleasantville Farmers Market

When and where: Saturdays, April through December from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; January to March, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, outside at Lot 10 Memorial Plaza, Pleasantville.

Good to know: The market is closed May 16 but returns May 23; there are 400 parking spots within four blocks of the market, some metered but many free; the website’s parking section has a map. Avoid traffic jams by using Cooley Street behind the post office. It’s now a two-way street with a new free parking lot and added metered parking spaces. Except for service animals, dogs are not permitted.

Also: There’s live music, children’s activities and food assistance at the manager’s tent for those in need. Ask about “market bucks” if you don’t carry cash and a vendor doesn’t accept cards.

More information: Visit pleasantvillefarmersmarket.org and @pvillefm on Instagram.