GrowNYC’s Sunnyside market
April 9, 2013 By Christian Murray
Long Island City, NY: The greenmarket that was once located at 48th Avenue and Vernon Boulevard is likely to be making a comeback.
GrowNYC, which operates 54 farmers markets throughout the city, is expected to have a market up and running in Long Island City by July. It is working with the Long Island City YMCA to recruit and train local teenagers to operate it.
The proposed market—deemed a Youthmarket– would operate on Saturdays from 8am to 4pm from July 13 through Nov. 23. It would offer the same locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables found at other GrowNYC farmers markets.
GrowNYC has been working with Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer and other Long Island City leaders to bring the market back. The group is seeking the approval from Community Board 2.
GrowNYC operated a greenmarket at this location until 2010. However, the market closed due to poor sales.
From that time on, Van Bramer has been strong proponent to reopen a market in Long Island City.
“Bringing a greenmarket back to Hunters Point/Long Island City has been a top priority for me and I am proud to announce it’s coming back,” Van Bramer said in a statement.
“Not only will we be bringing in locally grown farm fresh fruits and vegetables directly into Long Island City but we will be providing our local youth with jobs,” Van Bramer said.
Meanwhile in March, another group, Down to Earth Farmers Markets, said it planned to establish a market on 48th Avenue between Vernon Blvd and 5th Street. That market would be open on Saturdays from 9 am – 4 pm from mid May to mid November. Its vendors would sell fruits and vegetables, breads, pastries, meats, fish and specialty foods.
Frankie Rowland, the communications director for Down to Earth, said in a recent e-mail that the group had received a letter of support from Community Board 2 and its plans are on track.
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One Comment
Great. I so enjoy the Farmer’s Market. Welcome back and thanks to Terri Adams and the LIC Community Development Corp. for working so hard to bring it back.
That fact that this is a youthmarket makes it very special.
The neighborhood has expanded greatly and hopefully this time around it will be enough to keep them coming back.