The TaSH Farmers Market Opens For Milestone 10th Summer Season

TARRYTOWN, NY — Browsing the bounty of the Hudson Valley on the Hudson River has become a summer rite of passage. As the TaSH farmers market readies to open for its 10th year, there is even more to love.

The Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow (TaSH) Farmers Market will be celebrating its 10th anniversary season on Saturday, in Patriots Park with live music, a community picnic, and prizes. The TaSH, which was named the number two farmers market in New York, will be held every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., through Thanksgiving.

The TaSH was originally launched in 2015 by a group of local volunteers. Over the years, more community volunteers, vendors, and staff members have gotten involved to help grow the market. In its inaugural season, the TaSH started with just 15 vendors. It has since tripled in size with about 50 vendors scheduled to attend each market this season, with a rotating roster of more than 100 vendors expected to participate this year.

"Ten years ago, we set out to create a farmers market that was also a vibrant community meeting place. We envisioned a market where residents accessed fresh, healthy, local food, and a village green where the people gathered to eat, listen to music, and get to know their neighbors," TaSH Co-President Suzanne Sorrentino said. "We are so grateful to be able to say that with the help of our community, our vision has come true."

Organizers say that Opening Day festivities will include a "10th birthday" cake cutting and a communal picnic in the park. Vendors will sell specialty items and there will be live music from Vincent Saav, playing Brazilian and Latin jazz, followed by a performance by local rocker Drew Bordeaux.

There are also prizes and surprises in store for marketgoers to celebrate the anniversary on Opening Day. Shoppers who join The TaSH’s digital Loyalty Program can win prizes for visiting the market. Just stop by the TaSH tent to sign up. Loyalty cards are digital and stored in Apple and/or Android Wallets.

"As we look forward, we’re expanding our work at the market and beyond," TaSH Co-President Tammy Bordeaux said. "We’re forging partnerships with local arts organizations and educational institutions as well as addressing food insecurity locally. One of our top priorities is working with the school district to expand food access programs in the community."

This year, the TaSH has teamed up with the Sleepy Hollow Arts Collective (SHAC) to run arts workshops for the community. There will also be weekly bilingual storytimes for children through a partnership with the Warner Library. Kids will be able to join librarian Barbara Cohen on a StoryWalk through the park and leave the market with a craft.

In addition to hosting live music each week and offering children's educational activities, the TaSH has also been committed to addressing food insecurity in the community through doubling SNAP food stamps benefits, and partnering with local organizations.

The market will continue to double SNAP benefits up to $40. This means shoppers can receive up to $80 in groceries when they swipe their EBT cards. Market vendors will also fight hunger in the community by donating unsold food each week to Sleepy Hollow High School’s food pantry.

"The Union Free School District of the Tarrytowns is excited to partner with The TaSH to expand access to fresh local food for a shared community experience and create educational initiatives that can benefit students and families," Superintendent Ray Sanchez said. "We view this as a long-term partnership that will have significant impact for our community."

This season’s market sponsors include: Phelps Hospital Northwell Health, The Fit Inn, The Kornfelds at Houlihan Lawrence, Tarrytown Music Hall, Edge-on-Hudson, Renewal By Andersen, The Pocantico Center, Rey Insurance, ENT and Allergy Associates, Allan Block Insurance, Darci Carlton of ONEHOPE Wine, SunBlue Energy, Botanic Face & Body Spa, Savvy Sips Wine & Spirits, KANA PT & Wellness, and Ren-Shen Healing.

About The TaSH

The Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow (TaSH) Farmers Market was named the second best farmers market in New York state last year in a nationwide competition by the American Farmland Trust and the Farmers Market Coalition. Its mission is to improve access to quality locally produced food and to educate the community about sustainability, food, health and food justice by bringing a more vibrant and engaging market experience to the community. The TaSH is powered by Rivertowns Village Green Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit run by volunteers from both Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow. For the latest news and updates from The TaSH, subscribe to the weekly newsletter or follow along throughout the season on Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about their food assistance programs here.