QUEENS — The Jamaica Farmers Market is reopening this summer with a host of free produce tastings, cooking demos and educational programs, the organizers said.
Nutrition educators from Cornell Cooperative Extension will be at the market, which opens June 19, every Friday beginning June 26 to offer workshops and demonstrations through Sept. 25, according to the organizers.
"The purpose is to educate people about healthy eating and what they can do with the stuff they get at the market," said Dagmar Kostkova of Down to Earth Markets, which recruits farmers for the seasonal market.
On Saturdays in July and August there will also be a series of cooking demonstrations with Fabienne Volel, a clinical nutritionist, who will be discussing nutritional value of vegetables used for each recipe.
Volel will be using seasonal recipes prepared by Down to Earth Markets as part of their "Taste of the Season" campaign, which seeks to give shoppers ideas for full-course meals, consisting of a salad, appetizer, main dish, beverage and dessert, Kostkova said.
The meals will be prepared using produce available at the market, and shoppers will be able to taste them and take recipes home, Kostkova said.
There will also be several produce tastings throughout the season. A free berry tasting is planned for July 10 and 11, a tomato tasting on Aug. 21 and 22, an apple tasting on Oct. 23 and 24 and root vegetables will be sampled on Nov. 13 and 14.
In addition, the market will host a summer fruit pie contest on July 25, the annual Corn Roast on Aug. 8 and the Harvest Festival on Oct. 17.
Farmers participating this season include Migliorelli Farm, which sells fruit, vegetables, herbs and apple ciders; Alex’s Tomato Farm, which offers fruits, vegetables, honey and plants; and Meredith's Country Bakery which sells sweet treats and breads, in regular and gluten-free varieties, according to the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation which sponsors the market.
For every $5 customers spend at the market using EBT, they will receive a $2 Health Buck coupon, which is issued by the Department of Health and can be used for purchases.
The market, located on 160th Street, off Jamaica Avenue, reopens on June 19. It will remain open on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., until November 21.
