On Friday, June 7th the Down to Earth New Rochelle Farmers Market opened for its 11th season, in a new location, on the property of the Thomas Paine Cottage Museum at 20 Sicard Avenue, off North Avenue. To celebrate the new location an official ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on June 14th at 10am. 

As in past years, the New Rochelle Farmers market will gather small farms and small-scale food makers from around the New York region on Fridays from 9am to 2pm. The farmers market is a showcase for farm produce raised just a few hours from the Sound Shore. The addition of locally made packaged, ready-to-eat, and take-and-plate foods from artisan kitchens makes it a well-rounded weekly shopping destination.

New Rochelle's favorite farmers return to the market this season: Alex's Tomato Farm with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, and Dagele Brothers Produce with vegetables grown in the rich black dirt region of New York State, including the savory onions that made that region famous. Other familiar vendors will be PickleLicious with pickles, olives and relishes, Meredith's Country Bakery with traditional and gluten-free sweet and savory baked goods, and Arlotta Food Studio with organic, kosher California olive oil.

Newcomers include Butter Up! Bakeshop, bringing hand made artisan breads, crackers and English muffins, Gianni's Chicken Burgers, Still the One Distillery, and Anthi's Greek Specialties with ready-to-eat Greek foods for lunch on the go or an easy meal at home. The full vendor list is available on request and will be posted for shoppers at downtoearthmarkets.com.

The farmers market's new home at the Thomas Paine Cottage Museum provides picnic seating and a grassy area where kids are welcome to play on a property of local and national historic importance. The New Rochelle Farmers Market opening on Friday, June 7th will kick off the Thomas Paine Cottage Museum's grand reopening weekend and the Cottage will be open to visitors on Fridays starting at 10am.

Within the market, Down to Earth offers space to local organizations to share information about their work in the community and a schedule of live music and family-friendly activities. Shoppers are encouraged to visit the market's website at downtoearthmarkets.com or to sign up for its email alerts at http://eepurl.com/dl6I71 for the latest schedule. Local musicians and community organizations that would like to participate in the farmers market can contact info@downtoearthmarkets.com.

Many of the farmers market's vendors accept credit cards. SNAP EBT users are welcome and can use their cards to get tokens at the manager's tent, where Fresh Connect Checks are distributed throughout the season. WIC/Farmers Market Nutrition Program checks may be used at the farm stands.