New York state may be best known for its city life, but it has a staggering 7 million acres of farmland, and Queens alone is home to a staggering 22 farmers markets.
The Queens County Farm Museum cultivates almost 14,000 pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables year after year, including 200 varieties of crops.
And there are a further 21 other farmers markets to take advantage of while you’re in the vicinity. But that’s enough math for today!
This article is going to shortlist the best farmers markets in Queens, NY that are well worth the visit if you get the chance.
And without further ado, let’s get straight to it!
The 9 Best Farmers Markets In Queens, NY
(The following farmers markets in Queens, NY aren’t listed in any particular order.)
Location: 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Queens, NY 11004
Dating as far back as 1697, the Queens County Farm is one of the longest continuously farmed sites in New York State. It has historic buildings, livestock, planting fields, an orchard, a herb garden and more.
But Queens County Farm is about so much more than preserving the farm’s history and agricultural and horticultural past. It also has a mission to heighten awareness of present-day, sustainable horticultural and agricultural practices.
And one of the ways they do so is with their farm stand. They run seasonal farm stands, not just at Queens museum, but also at Jamaica Hospital, and Queens Borough Hall.
Here, consumers are welcome to stock up on a wide array of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. And these farm stands can provide visitors with great insight as to which foods grow best in Queens according to its climate conditions.
In late spring, you can expect to see the likes of carrots, leafy greens, peas, and asparagus. In summer, meanwhile, you are likely to see such products as eggplant, bell peppers, and tomatoes.
Then, fall brings such delights as Honeynut and Kabocha squash, before winter’s offerings of produce such as garlic bulbs, shallots, onions, and sweet potatoes (Also check out Can You Freeze Sweet Potato).
For the latest details on Queens County farms seasonal harvests and farm stands, we’d recommend that you sign up for their monthly e-newsletter SPILLthebeans, since the availability is subject to harvest conditions, which rely on conditions such as the weather.
Visitors are asked to bring their own reusable bags, and there are a wealth of different payment methods that are accepted there.
Forest Hills Greenmarket is run by Grow NYC, which is an environmental organization dedicated to improving New York City in 4 main areas, namely greenmarkets, recycling, gardens and education.
It hosts 50 greenmarkets across NYC, making it the largest open air farmers market program in the US. It provides local farmers with the chance to sell their produce directly to consumers.
There are over 240 farmers that take part, and there are 500,000 visitors to the greenmarkets every week during peak season.
Forest Hills greenmarket runs all year round, on Sundays only, from 8 in the morning through to 2PM. You can typically expect to see upwards of 15 different farmers there every week selling their goods.
Examples of the types of produce you can typically buy at the Forest Hills greenmarket include the likes of fish, turkey, artisan breads and pastries, pickled goods and chutneys, vegetables and fruit, kimchi, cheese, yogurts, ice cream, honey, poultry, beef, lamb, and goat.
Location: Union Square W &, E 17th St, New York, NY 10003
Union Square Greenmarket is the iconic greenmarket of Queens, NY, situated, you guessed it, at Union Square Park.
It’s been around since 1976, with just a few farmers, and now it’s known worldwide, with well over a hundred local farmers, fishers and bakers selling their wares there every peak season.
A staggering 60,000 visit Union Square Market every market day, and while there, you can view cooking demonstrations and even get free tastings!
It’s open a staggering 4 days a week, namely on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The market runs the same hours all year round, from 8 in the morning all the way through to 6 in the evening.
There are a wealth of different payment methods that are accepted there. In addition to fresh fruit and vegetables, you will also find the likes of artisan breads, cheeses, jams, ciders, wine, maple syrup, honey, yogurt, eggs, kimchi, and fish.
Location: 34th Ave & 79th Street &, 80th St, Jackson Heights, 11372
The recently expanded Jackson Heights Greenmarket is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the largest, not to mention the busiest, Greenmarket in Queens.
And it’s not the least bit surprising that it should draw such large crowds, given that the produce available there reflects the wide culinary diversity of the area.
It’s open on Sundays, and the winter market hours, January through to May, are 8AM to 2PM. Then the summer market hours, June through to December, are from 8.30AM to 2PM.
You can typically expect to see upwards of 15 different farmers there every week selling their goods.
And it’s not just fruit and veg that’s available. You can also expect to find the likes of eggs, fish, turkey, milk, yogurt, butter, ice cream, beef, cider, duck, pork, chicken, baked goods, honey, and even specialty Mexican produce.
Location: Skillman Ave between 42nd &, 43rd Ave, Sunnyside, NY 11104
Despite the name Sunnyside, this greenmarket, again run by Grow NYC, is set in a thriving community center, on a shady tree-lined avenue.
And although it happens to be relatively small in terms of the number of stands available there, we can assure you that the produce available is of the highest quality.
It’s open on Saturdays year round, and the winter market hours, January through to April, are 8AM to 2PM. Then the summer market hours, May through December, are from 8AM to 3PM. There are a wealth of different payment methods that are accepted there.
You can expect to find the likes of vegetables, seasonal fruit, cider, eggs, beef, chicken, duck, turkey, local wine, baked goods, freshly caught fish, honey, yogurt, milk, cheese, pork, and even specialty Mexican produce.
Location: Roosevelt Ave &, 103rd St, Flushing, NY 11368
Situated at the foot of the 103rd St-Roosevelt stop, by Corona Plaza, Corona Greenmarket is surrounded by lots of stores and outlets, making it a great place to come shopping, whatever you’re in the market for.
It’s open on Fridays, from June through to November, from 8 in the morning to 1.30 PM. There are a wealth of different payment methods that are accepted there.
You can get seasonal vegetables grown in Orange County black dirt, as well as apples, cider, grapes, fruit juice pressed from fruit grown locally, herbs, and the most amazing Mexican produce as well.
Another Grow NYC Greenmarket to enjoy in Queens, you’ve guessed the location already, along the entrance to Elmhurst hospital.
You will find it open on Tuesdays starting in June, and through November, when it will be open from 8 in the morning through to 3PM. There are a wealth of different payment methods that are accepted there.
There’s a great range of goods available, such as fresh orchard fruit, freshly baked pastries and breads, Black Dirt vegetables, and locally produced honey.
Location: Cypress Ave between Myrtle and, Putnam Ave, Ridgewood, NY 11385
Ridgewood Farm Stand is another Grow NYC offering, with a long list of farm stand suppliers.
It’s the job of Grow NYC Farm Stands to sell fresh, affordable food in underserved and under-resourced neighborhoods across NYC that’s grown in family farms in the Northeast.
Ridgewood Farm Stand is a great place to source any vegetable produce you might need, especially mushrooms. And there are also orchard fruits, flour, artisan breads, and more.
It’s open on Saturdays, July through November, from 8 in the morning to 2.30 PM. There are a wealth of different payment methods that are accepted there.
Wrap Up
Now that you’ve had a chance to browse through our shortlist, I bet you can’t wait to check out at least one of these great farmers markets. Have a great time!
Hi, my name is Amelia Haslehurt and I am a food blogger. As you can guess, I am passionate about what I eat, but what is most important to me when reviewing is high quality, fresh, organic, delicious ingredients.
I wanted to create an online space where others could sample some of my favorite recipes, and share in my passion for home-grown produce.
Whether you are looking for vegan recipes, easy recipes, healthy recipes or your favorite yummy snacks to brighten your day, I can help you out here at LocallyGrownGardens.com
