Despite Heat and Rain, Farmers Market Draws in Hundreds

The heat, humidity and rain haven't stopped about 400 people from visiting the PepsiCo Farmers Market each Tuesday over the past few weeks.

The market's organizer, Tony Mannetta, said that after the rainstorm passed over this week's market, "it rained so hard we were laughing. It was so loud that after it was over, we realized we were yelling at each other."

The storm approached so quickly that the vendor's weren't able to take shelter in an on-site building in time, so they decided to just wait it out.

Some passers-by weren't sure if the market was still open, but the market still got a big rush-hour crowd.

"People are finding the prices are right, the quality is excellent and the hot weather has actually boosted the sugar content of fruits and vegetables," said Mannetta.

The market offers a plethora of local fare each week and is held just down the road from the entrances to the PepsiCo headquarters and Purchase College.

New additions to the market include six varieties of vegan granola from Black Lab Natural Granola, located in Goshen, N.Y.

The market's regular customers are continuing to come back for the tarts and streudels from Magpie Bakery and for now in-season produce like apricots, tomatoes, corn, and leafy greens from Migliorelli Farms.

Ronnybrook Farms is also delivering milk, yogurt, butter and an original variety of mustard, all produced on their farm in Columbia County. They're also contracting with a small cold-press olive oil company in California.

The market recently began to incorporate specialty goods, like olive oil, that can't be grown or produced locally.

"There's been a kind of movement, especially in the sub markets, to add unique produce that may not be from the region," Mannetta said.

But even though the majority of the market's fair comes straight from the Hudson Valley, some local vendors are having a hard time making it to Harrison each week.

Despite high unemployment rates labor is still hard to come by, Mannetta explained.

Although workers typically get paid $12 to $18 an hour, Mannetta said that temporary, often part-time work along with long days and inconsistent scheduling make it difficult for small-scale farms to find enough staff in the summer and fall.

And the demand for fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses and meats is increasing as people in Westchester shop at markets throughout the county in high numbers.

"Ít's a sign that the marketplace is expanding. It's an opportunity for them and new producers coming in," Mannetta said.

To help vendors who may not have enough help on-hand to still make it to the market, Mannetta is planning to incorporate a co-op booth in the coming weeks with the help of volunteers from Purchase College. This way shoppers don't miss out on local specialties like maple syrup, jams and pickles.

For up-to-date information on the PepsiCo Farmers Market in Purchase, check out the Facebook page.