New Vendors on Tap as Pleasantville Farmers' Market Returns Saturday

After a successful first indoor season, Pleasantville non-profit Foodchester is gearing up for its first outdoor farmers' market.

After separating from Community Markets (now Down to Earth Markets) at the end of the 2012 outdoor season, locals who formerly made up the Pleasantville Farmers' Market Committee rallied to create Foodchester as a vessel to make the market more Pleasantville-centric.

Saturday will mark the 16th overall season for the village's market and Foodchester reports there will be "nearly 50 vendors providing the highest quality locally-grown foods, humanely-raised meat, prepared foods sourced with local ingredients, allergen-free baked goods, flowers, wine and beer, and many other new offerings."

The season will kick off on Saturday, May 25 with a ribbon cutting at 9:15 a.m. at Memorial Plaza. The season will run through November 23, each Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Peter Rogovin, chairperson for Foodchester, said in a statement, "We are thrilled to welcome back last year’s most popular vendors. Our main focus is to be attentive to community needs and visitor input. Our customer survey told us that we should retain most of our existing vendors, while also bringing in some new and exciting additions."

Among this season's brand new vendors are Raghoo Farms (goat, lamb, duck, chicken); Aba's Falafel, Orto Foods (dehydrated snacks, including kale chips), Captain Lawrence Brewing Company, Shawangunk Growers (perennials), several vineyards, Olive Oils of the World, Spoonful of Sugar (gluten-free bakery), Edge of Knife (sharpening service) and Spice Revolution.

Multiple vendors that made their Pleasantville debut at the indoor market will be back for the outdoor season as well, including Conant Valley Jams, All You Knead Bakery, Butterfield Farm (goat cheese, yogurt), Lazy Crazy Acres gelato, Maupston Design Studio's yarns and more.

"We are lucky to have the best vendors the Hudson Valley region offers,” stated Steven Bates, executive director of Foodchester. "Many of our vendors are expanding their offerings, such as fruit-infused waters and fresh squeezed vegetable juices by Go-Go Pops and Little Croc Bakehouse’s gluten free breads and pastas."

While the full-to-the-brim Pleasantville Middle School cafeteria didn't leave room for the market's signature activities, the Memorial Plaza-based outdoor market will have more than 60 events over the course of the season.

"We are launching our Market Sprouts program to encourage healthy eating habits and better understanding of where our food comes from," Rogovin revealed. "More kids’ events will feature current vendors or chefs introducing children to new foods as well as growing and cooking practices."

Music will also be a regular occurrence, along with more food tastings, local chef demonstrations and annual events like the corn roast and apple pie baking contest.

Pleasantville Mayor Peter Scherer added, "We are proud to have not only the largest market in Westchester—but also a great market that serves the community and brings thousands of people to the downtown district."