Tkaczyk Connecting Upstate Farms with NYC Markets

State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk organized and participated in a meeting between members of the Upstate farming community and officials from Grow NYC, which manages the largest Greenmarket in the country.

Senator Tkaczyk said, “My goal is to connect small Upstate farmers with the New York City markets, forge new partnerships and collaborations and bring more produce from our local farms to the restaurants and consumers in New York City.”

Tkaczyk organized the meeting and was joined by farmers and agricultural experts to tour Grow NYC’s largest Greenmarket, their flagship in Union Square Park. Since its start in 1976, the Union Square Greenmarket has grown to include, during peak season, 140 regional farmers, fisherman and bakers.

In total, Grow NYC manages 54 Greenmarkets around New York City, featuring produce and products from more than 230 regional family farms and other businesses.  Many of the participating farms are in and around Senator Tkaczyk’s senate district.

Tkaczyk met with the director and assistant director of Grow NYC’s  Greenmarket, Michael Hurwitz and Cheryl Huber, respectively.  She was joined for the meeting and tour by regional farmers and agriculture experts, including:

• Brian Gilchrist, Executive Director, Cornell Cooperative Washington County;
• Deborah DeWan, Executive Director, Roundout Valley Growers;
• Tim Lippert, Crosby Farm;
• Crystal Stewart, Senior Resource Educator, Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program; and,
• Robert Weybright, Economic Development Specialist, Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program.

“Chefs from the best restaurants in New York City have built their great reputations on fresh local produce from Upstate farms.” Tkaczyk said. “They love working with Upstate farmers, and that represents a great opportunity to increase sales and really strengthen our family farm community.”

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