57°
RYE BROOK, N.Y. Many people turned out for Rye Brooks first indoor farmers market at the AJP Community Center on Saturday and most commented on how great the event was for the community.
I cant believe how many people are here, said Rye Brook Deputy Clerk Elizabeth Rotfeld. I mean I thought it was going to be a good turnout because the signage was great and we had so much great coverage from the press. Rotfeld was thrilled with the event because of the mix of residents young and old that brought people together.
The idea for the farmers market, which ran from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. occurred at a meeting of Rye Brooks Quality Task Force, which tries to develop a greater sense of community through various events.
Rotfeld contacted vendors that had developed relationships at farmers markets with local Chef Maria Reina and Tony Manetta, who ran the Pepsico Farmers Market, in addition to finding vendors through her own research.
Over a dozen vendors showed up to the event, including Guyank Brand Pepper Sauces, Big Girl Baking, Healthway Farms, Migliorelli Farms, Bella Cucina Maria, Gaia's Breath Farm, and Flour City Pasta.
Residents of and around Rye Brook were able to buy and try different types of honey from Hummingbird Ranch, eat sweets from Frosted Spoon Custom Desserts, and try on jewelry from And The Beads Go On and Chez Dennis in addition to many other activities.
Rye Brook resident Denise Borsari was there with her mother, Lydia Borsari, and her friend Rose Bacaili and her mother Francesca Bacaili . They all loved the event.
I love it, said Denise Borsari. I think its a great idea to get the community together and they have some great products. Yummy treats here and there, so it was really nice.
Borsari ended up buying hot apple cider, pasta and olives after walking around to the different booths. She liked the Frosted Spoon and KFG Olive Oil booths the most.
Jody Milano, co-owner of Bronxville-based Big Girl Baking with her sister, had rarely seen such a big turnout for a first-time farmers market.
This is amazing, said Milano. Honestly, Ive been doing this for a while, and this is one of the biggest first-day turnouts Ive ever seen. So that tells me the community really supports the market, which even if you have the best vendors in the world, if the people dont come and shop at the market, it doesnt matter.
Village Administrator Chris Bradbury was also amongst the many that turned out and he was overjoyed with the crowd.
Were certainly thrilled, said Bradbury This is a great community event for us. Its a great new opportunity for residents to come out and experience something like this. We couldnt be happier with the turnout.
The Rye Brook farmers market will continue at the AJP Community Center on the second and fourth Saturday of every month through May. Then in June, the program will go outdoors and be located at St. Pauls Lutheran Church.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Bronxville and receive free news updates.
