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Farm Fresh from our table to yours!  

Haverstraw’s Harvest Farmers Market is growing.

Join us on June 12 for our Opening Celebration! 

Haverstraw, N.Y. – Last year the Market was in dire straights due to a lack of funding when The Greater Haverstraw Chamber of Commerce, through its members Michelle Natale and Mia Vaculik-Marsh, assumed management.  They re-imagined and revitalized the Market by reaching out to the community, recruiting volunteers and new vendors, and expanding with demonstrations and events.

Thanks to tremendous community support, last season was a huge success for Haverstraw’s new and improved market.  At the height of the season almost 600 people came to the market each week!  We added musicians, sponsored local artists and businesses, brought in new vendors, and held demonstrations and events which drew shoppers from throughout Rockland County, Westchester County and New Jersey.

Last year, the response to our opening day celebration was so overwhelming that our farmers and other food vendors sold out before the market was over!  This year’s opening day will feature a 4 course cooking demonstration by Tom Civile of Civile’s Venice on the Hudson at 10am, a free concert by Jeffrey and the Bossy Frog at 11am, a Raffle consisting of great prizes and new vendors including Vendor of the Week Haverstraw Hardware.

This year the Market season will run from June 12 through October 30 every Sunday from 9am-1pm.  The Market is expanding to feature Kids corner activities, demonstrations and live music every week!  Community members are invited to participate in Flea Market First Sundays on the first Sunday of each month.  And there will be more give-aways and activities throughout the season.  New vendors will sell Fresh fruits and vegetables, Organic Fair Trade Coffee, Herbs, Plants, Locally Hand Made Crafts and Soaps, Pastries, Jams, Pies, Quiches, Chutneys, Wines, prepared foods, Artisanal Bread and more.

Again this season we will be donating surplus food to local food pantries and soup kitchens.  We are proud to report that last season over 1,000 lbs. of fresh produce and bread was donated to these vital agencies.  This year we will also sponsor several food drives for organizations that serve the needy.  Market patrons can bring food donations or buy them at the market.

As a not-for-profit endeavor, Haverstraw’s Harvest not just about healthy eating and buying fresh, local produce, it’s about community building.  The market is a snapshot of local culture – a place where local residents can come together in a vibrant public space and share in the life of the community.

The market will also participate in the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) which provides benefits to low-income WIC families and seniors.  Haverstraw’s Harvest Farmers Market is open every Sunday from 9a.m. to 1 p.m. at Maple Avenue & New Main Street in Haverstraw Village, from June 12^th to October 30^th, 2011.

For more information, please contact MICHELLE NATALE at 845-429-8447 or MIA MARSH at 917-547-0682

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