BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — Farmers markets in central Brooklyn will open for business starting next week, with extra support from a local development group that will help expand programming and community outreach.
Bedford-Stuyvesant’s Marcy Plaza Farmer’s Market kicks off the season on July 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and three other groups host vendors throughout Bed-Stuy and Brownsville starting next weekend.
Each market partners with Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, which will work with vendors to strengthen their operations and “attract hyper-local and regional farmers of color,” according to organizers.
“The overall goals are to improve access to healthy food and uplift farmers of color,” said Tracey Capers, executive vice president for programs at Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation.
“In central Brooklyn, it’s primarily people of African-American and Caribbean descent, and it was important for us to have farmers to reflect the demographic that we’re serving.”
The support comes from a more than $99,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture Farmers Market Promotion Program, and is part of Restoration’s Center for Healthy Neighborhood strategy to help local wellness, Capers added.
The initiative includes working with Head Start programs to provide fresh food from farm sites for participants.
In partnership with the farmers markets, the community development corporation will assist in advertising as well as cooking demonstrations.
“We’re really just raising overall awareness that there is good, local food here in the community,” Capers said.
Check out the markets that will open for weekly business this month:
► Marcy Plaza Farmer’s Market
Fulton Street and Marcy Avenue, Bed-Stuy
Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
► Isabahlia LOEF Farmers’ Market
Rockaway and Sutter avenues, Brownsville
Fridays, 12 to 5 p.m.
► Hattie Carthan Community Farmers’ Market
Marcy Avenue and Clifton Place, Bed-Stuy
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
► Isabahlia LOEF Farmers’ Market
Livonia Avenue between Powell and Junius streets, Brownsville
Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
► Malcolm X Boulevard Farmers’ Market
Marion and Chauncey streets, Bed-Stuy
Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
►Hattie Carthan After Church Farmers’ Market
49 Van Buren St. between Tompkins and Throop avenues, Bed-Stuy
Sundays, 1 to 6 p.m.
