Feelin’ Fresh: All the Farmers Markets in Nearby Queens

Though we have some amazing fruit and veggie markets (United Brothers! Mr. Avo!) year-round, summer is a great time to check out local Farmers Markets. Unfortunately the Astoria Greenmarket from GrowNYC closed this year, due to rising business costs and slow foot traffic at the market, but there are still other options not too far away.

Here’s where we’d recommend, and let us know if there are any others you like to frequent!

Roots Saturdays at Socrates Sculpture Park

Where: Socrates Sculpture Park (32-01 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11106)

When: Saturdays, May 4 – October 26, 2019 | 12 – 3 p.m.

What: Every Saturday at the Park, join Hellgate Farm and a rotation of local partners like The Connected Chef, Big Reuse, Smiling Hogshead Ranch, Queens Action Council (QuAC), and the Queens Beekeepers Guild for drop-in workshops, food demos, and activities for kids and families.

Hellgate Farm will also be selling their micro-local fresh cut produce and small batch products like signature hot sauce, honey, and dried herbs. Plus: In partnership with The NYC Compost Project hosted by Big Reuse, Socrates now offers free compost drop-off every day of the week!

Ditmars Park Youthmarket

Where: Steinway St between Ditmars Blvd and 23rd Ave, Astoria

When: Saturdays, July 13 – November 23 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

What: Founded in 2016, now in its forth season, Ditmars Park Youthmarket is a collaborative effort between GrowNYC, Global Kids and Friends of Ditmars Park. It provides residents with access to fresh, affordable fruits and vegetables. GrowNYC is pleased to partner with Global Kids, who hire the neighborhood youth that run this farmstand. Participating youth learn small business skills, nutrition education and much more, all while serving their community. See full list of farms here.

Jackson Heights Greenmarket

Where: 34^th Ave between 79^th & 80^th Sts, Queens

When: Sundays, Year-round | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

What: Located in one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the city, the recently expanded Jackson Heights Greenmarket is the largest and busiest Greenmarket in Queens. Reflecting the culinary diversity of the neighborhood, the Jackson Heights market offers a broad selection of vegetables, fruit, eggs, fish, honey, chicken and specialty Mexican produce. See the full list of farmers here. Plus: GrowNYC’s Clothing Collection: 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and Food Scrap Composting w/NYC Compost Project hosted by Big Reuse: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Sunnyside Greenmarket

Where: Skillman Ave btwn 42^nd & 43^rd Streets, Queens

When: Saturdays, Year-round | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

What: Set on a shady, tree-lined avenue near Lou Lodati Park, the Sunnyside Greenmarket is a thriving community center drawing an ethnically diverse mix of young couples, families, and elderly residents from the surrounding neighborhood. On hand are a fantastic selection of vegetables grown in the Black Dirt of Orange County, specialty Mexican produce and herbs, eggs, seasonal fruit, cider, baked goods and fresh-caught fish. Cheese, pickled vegetables, grass fed beef, and wine pressed from locally grown grapes entice shoppers with culinary possibilities. Plus: Food Scrap Composting w/NYC Compost Project hosted by Big Reuse: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and GrowNYC’s Clothing Collection: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (May 4 to December 14 ONLY).

Forest Hills Greenmarket

Where: South side of Queens Blvd at 70th Avenue, Queens

When: Sunday, Year Round | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

What: Located in front of the Forest Hills Post Office, this neighborhood Greenmarket boasts a variety of locally grown, fresh products. Throughout the season, the market will offer free cooking demonstrations, kids activities, and the opportunity to mingle with neighbors, all while getting to know the regional farmers who grow your food. Plus: GrowNYC’s Clothing Collection: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
and GrowNYC’s Food Scrap Composting: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Brooklyn Grange in LIC

Where: 37-18 Northern Blvd, Queens

When: Saturdays, May 18-October 26 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

What: Brooklyn Grange is the leading rooftop farming in the US. They operate the world’s largest rooftop soil farms, located on three roofs in New York City, and grow over 80,000 lbs of organically-cultivated produce per year. At their Flagship Farm in LIC, they offer a great market for produce shopping, but also a fun day to visit the farm, meet the chickens, and even buy some freshly-baked bread from Sullivan St Bakery!  They accept FMNP at our farm stand in LIC AND will soon be setup to accept SNAP/EBT. Stay tuned!

4 Comments

Laura A Raheb May 18th, 2020

Are these places open (to any extent) in 2020 during the pandemic?

Reply

Claire Leaden May 21st, 2020

They are! The Jackson Heights, Forest Hills, and Sunnyside one. Socrates is open in a limited capacity…just did an article update here: https://weheartastoria.com/2020/05/queens-farmers-markets-open-covid-19/

Reply

CB June 11th, 2019

You’ve left out Brooklyn Grange on Northern Blvd, where they grow the majority of what is sold on the roof of the building where the market exists! They also get bread from Sullivan Street Bakery and occasionally fruit from partner farms, and the option to buy into a CSA share for the growing season.

37-18 Northern Blvd., from 10am-4pm on Saturdays through October.

Reply

Claire Leaden June 11th, 2019

Thanks!

Reply