When founder Priscilla Sorensen and Nancy Lyman thought of starting a farmers market in Chappaqua, they strove to create a place where the people of Chappaqua could gather with family and friends and enjoy some fresh local produce and fruit and perhaps some lovely music on a Saturday afternoon.
That vision came to life when New Castle Town Supervisor Barbara Gerrard endorsed their community idea and let them use the Memorial Circle at the Chappaqua train station.
The outdoor Chappaqua market opened this month after six months in St. Mary the Virgin Church on South Greeley Avenue, one of the only year-round farmers markets.
Its so nice to be outside now because people dont usually think of farmers markets in churches, Sorensen said. With the winter we had this year, it was tough so its nice to finally be outside.
The farmers market does some unique things that differentiate them from other markets, even Pleasantvilles market just a few miles south. In Chappaqua, they have a sporting equipment swap where families can exchange equipment for their needs. They also have Julios bike shop there to fix bikes or buy a new ride.
The market plans on starting a bike drive for needy children in the next couple of weeks where Chappaqua residents can donate their old bikes to the less fortunate.
The market also offers community driven events like face paints for children, Girls Scouts selling cookies as well as live music on the green.
The founder, Priscilla, wanted to create a place to hang out and make the suburbs feel like a neighborhood, said Pascale Le Draoulec, the director of the farmers market.
For more information, visit http://chappaquafarmersmarket.org/ .
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