Farm Fresh Produce, Baked Goods, Fruit and Cheeses Coming to Pelham on Memorial Day Weekend

On May 28, the Pelham Farmers' Market will begin its fourth year of operation. The outdoors market will be open every Saturday, rain or shine, at the corner of Harmon and Fifth Avenues from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. In previous years, the market had been held on Saturdays.

This year's vendors include the Amazing Real Live Food Co. (ARL) of Pine Plains, NY, Meredith's Bread of Kingston, NY and Migliorelli Farm of Tivoli, NY.

Rory Chase and Peter Destler started the Amazing Real Live Food Co. just two years ago. They were close friends growing up and attended public and high school in Pine Plains, NY. Chase is a graduate of Tufts University and Destler attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. Both worked as cheese makers at Ronnybrook Farm Dairy in Ancramdale, NY. 

ARL recently opened a production facility in Pine Plains in a converted chicken coop. Its vittles (foods) and elixirs (drinks) include:

• Fresh herbed Farmer's Cheese. Six flavors: dill, roasted garlic, jalapeno, basil and garlic, horseradish and plain
• Probiotic Queso Blancos. A salted and enriched firm pressed cheese well suited for cooking
• Moonlight Chaource. A slightly aged, slightly tart white rind cheese with characteristics of milk St. Maure. Comes in eight-ounce bars with a typical shelf life of 4 to 6 weeks
• Stella Vallis Tomme. A Hudson Valley reproduction of a classic French Alps cheese, aged 4 to 6 months. Comes in one-half pound wedges or 8-pound wheels (on special request)
• Ice cream
• Cultured Kombuchas tonic

Meredith’s Bread's product line has about 300 varieties including preservative-free breads, organic baked goods, rolls, cakes, cookies, and preserves. Many items are sugar free, wheat free or gluten free. Its pie line includes apple, blueberry, cherry, peach, and strawberry. It also bakes blueberry banana muffins and arranges gift baskets.

Migliorelli Farm has 400 acres of farmland in Tivoli, NY where it grows 130 varieties of fruit and vegetables including cooking greens, salad greens, root vegetables, legumes, squash, corn, tomatoes, garlic, onions, melons, apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, plums and apricots. Fresh squeezed apple cider will be among the products available at its stand. 

Migliorelli Farm is especially known for "Italian produce" such as broccoli raab, arugula, fennel and dandelion greens. 

Products to be sold at various farmers' markets in Rockland and Westchester Counties this coming season were on display, and available for sampling by the press, at the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Community Markets, the network's organizer. The festivities took place on April 4 at Community Markets' newly opened headquarters in Ossining.

Community Markets was founded by Miriam Hass in Ossining in 1991 to bring fresh produce to local neighborhoods after she became disillusioned by the wilted greens at a local grocery.  

Only farmers, growers or producers and their family members or employees are permitted to sell at the farmers' markets. Middlemen, brokers or resellers are excluded. Crafts, jewelry and clothing vendors are not accepted for participation.

Community Markets is looking for volunteers to participate in focus groups studying consumer interest in products sold at farmers' markets. If interested in participating, contact Frankie Rowland, Marketing Director, Community Markets, 914-923-4837, ext. 202.