Fresh the Focus as Farmers Market Opens in Purchase

The new director of the Farmers Market at Pepsico knows a thing or two about what makes a good outdoor market.

After founding the Bronxville Farmers Market in 2001 and helping build it ever since, Mary Liz Mulligan has learned what brings people to outdoor food markets throughout the summer. After she was hired two months ago to run the Farmers Market at Pepsico, she laid out one important expectation for all potential vendors.

"Local," she said. "That's it, that's the basic benefit is buying local, I stay in the true green mission."

It's that focus to fresh and local food that brings patrons to outdoor markets throughout the year, Mulligan said. When food is local, it's fresh; and when it's fresh it's something people are willing to go out of their way to shop for.

That focus was already evident as the market opened for business for its third year Wednesday. Each of the 20 vendors has a connection to the Hudson Valley, either growing their foods or major ingredients in the area. Even the popcorn vendor grows his corn within 45-minutes of Purchase.

"Everything we have to serve is so good, and it lasts because it's so fresh," Mulligan said. "You certainly get your money's worth."

Customers are also treated to produce and items they won't find in other places. Anna Upston, who was selling hand-spun knitting yarn and other items Wednesday, said that's one of the things that draw people to outdoor summer markets across the country.

"There's still this human quality—and I really mean quality in every sense of the word—to the products that you find," she said. "The food is fresher, the bread is so much better, the yarn is that much more colorful."

Mike Panzarella, who was selling crab cakes, artisan bread and fresh mozzarella Wednesday, said he travels to dozens of farmers markets this time of year because it draws customers who enjoy his hand-made, non-processed, foods.

"It's a very educated clientele," he said. "They are looking to make good choices."

After working with Mulligan in Bronxville in past years, he said he is looking forward to seeing what she can do to grow the farmers market in Purchase.

"She did an excellent job in Bronxville," he said. "It definitely has a lot of potential."

The Farmers Market at PepsiCo will be open every Wednesday from 12:30 to 6 p.m. until November 17. It is located at 800 Anderson Hill Road, across the street from Purchase College.