Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Orchard Street Yields New Harvest

Orchard Street Yields New Harvest

New Greenmarket opens on Lower East Side. Every Sunday July 9 - November 19. Opening Ceremony with Elected Officials Sunday, July 9 at 10am.

Lower East Side, NY (PRWEB) July 3, 2006

Beginning July 9th, Orchard Street will be brimming with a new crop for the community. Greenmarket, a program of the Council on the Environment of NYC, will open every Sunday through November on Orchard Street between Delancey and Broome from 10am-5pm.

“The Farmers Market is a welcomed resource to the Lower East Side,” said Dara Lehon, Acting Executive Director of the Lower East Side BID (LESBID). “We’re thankful to offer residents and business-owners an opportunity to re-invest in our thriving and beloved community while enjoying even more healthy options.”

The market will host regional farmers selling a variety of seasonal foods including fresh, home-grown fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, melons, herbs, greens, cucumbers, peaches, apples, pears and broccoli; Bakers will sell bread and pastries while other vendors will sell meats, fish, cheese and wine. As summer turns to fall, farmers will bring autumn vegetables with robust flavors, including rich winter squash, tender braising greens, and earthy carrots. Local chefs will host cooking demonstrations.

"The Lower East Side BID is reaching out to its youth residents and offering them hands-on education in horticulture and in fresh food marketing and sales -- real-life skills that will support their future careers and academic studies," said Gretchen Ferenz of Cornell University Cooperative Extension.

The LESBID, Department of Transportation, Cornell University Cooperative Extension - NYC - Garden Mosaics and Urban Agriculture project (Cornell), Greenmarket, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez, and Community Board 3 worked many months to bring this resource to the Lower East Side Community.

“The Farmers Market is critical to the health of residents and economic development of our community. The fresh produce and plant life will help build a healthier and greener Lower East Side - a community of over 50,000 people,” said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez.

LES Greenmarket to be launched 10AM, Sunday, July 9th on Orchard St. b/t Delancey & Broome. Representatives from Cornell, Greenmarket, LESBID, and special guest, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez to attend; Music to follow. **

About Greenmarket

Greenmarket opened its first farmers market in New York City in 1976. With the Lower East Side market, Greenmarket now runs weekly markets on 45 sites throughout the five boroughs. Greenmarket promotes regional agriculture and ensures a continuing supply of fresh, local produce for New Yorkers. Greenmarket supports farmers and preserves farmland for the future by providing regional small family farmers with opportunities to sell their fruits, vegetables and other farm products to New Yorkers. Greenmarket is a program of the Council on the Environment of NYC.

About the LES BID

Established in 1992, the Lower East Side Business Improvement District (LESBID) is a non-profit economic development organization created to revitalize the Orchard Street Shopping District while preserving its unique and diverse character. Today, the LESBID is a community of over 400 merchants and property owners managed by a Board of Directors and consisting of local merchants, property owners, residents and elected officials. The LESBID promotes the local businesses, hosts events and provides community beautification services. For more information, call 212.226.9010 or see www. lowereastsideny. com. L. E.S. is More. Explore.

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