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Read the press release here.

Crowds Jam Into First Forest Hills Greenmarket

By Nigel Chiwaya | July 9, 2012 1:30pm
Residents at shop for produce at the Forest Hills Greenmarket on July 8.
Residents at shop for produce at the Forest Hills Greenmarket on July 8.
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DNAInfo/Nigel Chiwaya

FOREST HILLS — Hundreds of residents jammed into the highly-anticipated Forest Hills greenmarket last Sunday snatching up fresh produce, wine and artisanal breads.

"We had a really great turnout," said Margaret Hoffman, the Regional Coordinator at GrowNYC, which organized the greenmarket. "We really couldn't ask for a better day."

Residents braved long lines in the early hours of the greenmarket, held outside of the Post Office on Queens Boulevard and 70th Avenue.

"Another Greenmarket report: 'There were so many people there I couldn't get close to some of the booths,'" Edge of the City tweeted about the lines.

Demand was so high that Bread Alone, an artisanal bakery from upstate Boiceville, NY, sold out of bread within two and a half hours.

"Everyone's excited," said Sonam Amchay, 34, who manned Bread Alone's booth. "People keep telling us: 'We used to buy from Union Square, now we've got a market right here.'"

The market lacked fresh fruit, but it will be available along with fish next week, according to Hoffman.

Forest Hills residents fought to bring a greenmarket to the neighborhood for a long time, going so far as to circulate a petition with hundreds of signatures.

But even for those that didn't petition, the chance to buy fresh food was a pleasant surprise.

"This is totally unexpected," said Steve White, 77, who stumbled into the greenmarket while walking around the neighborhood. "I just walked up on it, but what's here looks good."

Ceclia Herrera, 39, of Briarwood, came across the market while walking with her two sons Andrew and Daniel and was excited by a greenmarket in close proximity to her.

 

"The prices are very reasonable," added.  "I usually shop at Trader Joe's in Atlas Park."

The Forest Hills greenmarket will be held every Sunday until Nov. 18 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Post Office building.