It’s that time of year again. Over the next couple of weeks practically all South Fork farmers markets will be open, offering a taste of the ample East End bounty that would put any big box competitor to shame.
Aside from the beach, the vast farmland is the key natural geographic feature that makes the Hamptons the highly touted, especially beautiful place to be. It’s the reason we’re all here in the first place.
With that being said it is through local farmers markets — occurring in practically every hamlet from Montauk to Manorville during the summer months — where the fruits of our agricultural community’s labor take the well-deserved spotlight.
Smartly, most of these farmers markets are set on alternating days, so in theory it would be totally do-able to hit all of them in any given week from mid-May to well beyond Labor Day. Whether they’re big events peddling must-have artisanal products that would spiff up any pantry situation or smaller, more intimate affairs situated on a tiny patch of green, it’s undeniable that all of them are not just a place to buy food, they’re a place to interact firsthand with the people producing your food.
We are what we eat, so make it a point to support your local farmer. You’ll be glad you did.
Under the umbrella of the East End Farmers Market, Amagansett’s starts Thursday, May 16, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 154 Main St. while East Hampton’s will be on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning May 17 and continuing through the week of Labor Day at 60 Spinner Lane. The Hayground School (151 Mitchell Lane) in Bridgehampton will also host a Friday market from 3 to 6 p.m. and is slated to continue throughout the month of September. Sag Harbor’s will be on Saturday mornings starting May 18, located on the corner of Bay and Burke Streets in front of the Breakwater Yacht Club. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.. The market is slated to end October 26 for the former whaling village.
In Westhampton Beach, the summer market season starts tomorrow on the village green at 9 a.m.. The market plays host to over 60 vendors, offering baked goods, produce, spice rubs, wine cheese, meats and oodles of gourmet items. “The farmer’s market gives you an opportunity to meet the people who produced our food and that person can give you tips, recipes and insight how to best work with their product,” according to the market’s website. The weekly farmers market will most likely run through the end of October before transitioning back indoors (the hamlet’s market occurs at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church during the winter months).
Southampton’s farmers and artisans market begins on Sunday, May 5, and will continue each week through September 15 at Agawam Park. Brought to us by the Southampton Chamber of Commerce, the market will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and hosts about 30 vendors.
The Montauk Chamber of Commerce hosts its weekly downtown farmer’s market starting Thursday, May 23, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.. on the village green just off Route 27. Continuing until October 4, the market is home to over 40 vendors. At Ashawagh Hall (located at 780 Springs Fireplace Road) in Springs, a weekly farmers market kicks off just before Memorial Day, on Saturday, May 25. It runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the hall’s front lawn.
On Shelter Island, the Havens Farmers Market is held every Saturday, rain or shine, on the grounds of the Shelter Island History Center starting May 25 at 9 a.m to 12:30 p.m., continuing until October 12.
Lenny Bruno Farms, a fourth generation farm stand in Manorville, starts its season with the 2024 Country Kick-off Festival on Saturday, May 18. Although technically not a farmer’s market, it’s well-worth the visit as the festival offers an array of family friendly activities, tastings, live music, hayrides, line dancing, face painting and food trucks as well as delightful treats from the farm itself. Festival is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both May 18 and May 19. Located at 740 Wading River Road.
