Update On How To Set Up Shop At Roosevelt Island Farmers Market - Yona's Gourmet Delights Debuts

A November Day At Roosevelt Island Farmers Market

A new vendor made their debut at last Saturday's Roosevelt Island Farmers Market.


Happy to see that Yona's Gourmet Delights was able to set up shop here on Roosevelt Island.


I tried a couple of the Quiches and they were pretty good.

Roosevelt Island Farmers Market Payment Line

Also, would anyone else like to see the Farmers Market add the convenience of accepting credit and debit card transactions as payment. There are occasions when I walk by the Farmers Market and would like to make a spur of the moment purchase. I may not have the cash with me and would like to pay by card. Even here on Roosevelt Island many people use electronic payments rather than cash for their daily purchases and would appreciate the convenience afforded with it's acceptance by the Farmers Market.

Update On How To Set Up Shop At The Roosevelt Island Farmers Market - Here's The Scoop

Last Saturday At Roosevelt Island Farmers Market

I received this message from an officer of Roosevelt Island's PS/IS 217 PTA clarifying an earlier post on How To Set Up Shop At The Roosevelt Island Farmers Market.

Good morning,

In response to your post regarding contact information for the Farmer's Market, I thought it might be helpful for you to have all the information regarding leasing space there, as you may be contacted again. The PTA of PS/IS217 is in charge of leasing the tables, at a cost of $30. Vendors usually supply their own tables, and any food vendors must have their own insurance. Interested parties can contact Nikki Leopold (PTA President) at Nikkipta@gmail.com, or Lydia Tang at chinatv@aol.com.

It has become increasingly clear that many Island residents are unaware that Farmer's Market is, in fact, a vital PTA funding source, and we appreciate the opportunity to relay it to them. We have also reached out to Yona's Gourmet Delights and are pleased that she may be setting up a table with us. It is important to mention, however, that decisions about leasing space is made solely by the PTA and not by any of the Vendors, and therefore, only the PTA should be contacted about the space.

Thanks so much,

Phoebe Flynn
3rd Vice President, PTA

Thanks for the additional information Ms. Flynn. The Farmers Market is great but additional vendors with more variety and quality products would be welcome as well.

Last Saturday At Roosevelt Island Farmers Market

How Do You Set Up Shop At The Roosevelt Island Farmers Market?

Roosevelt Island Farmers Market Last November

I received an inquiry from Yona's Gourmet Delights, a potential new vendor for the Roosevelt Island Farmers Market asking:

Do you know who I would need to contact to join the farmer market in Roosevelt Island on Saturdays?

Yona reports that she sells:

... at other farmers markets in Ny and NJ. As well as the East side and West Side Green flea Market every Sunday. I sell 4 Varieties of Vegetarian Quiche as well as Borekas, Which is a triangle appetizer with savory foods in it. I combine The puff pastry dough with traditional greek recipes like Spankopita and Tyropita. I have a very loyal following in the upper west side. I heard that a great deal of residents are internationals so they would really like the quiche.

Looks like Yona would fit right in at the Roosevelt Island Farmers Market.

You Tube Video of Yona's Garden Delights

The main occupant of the Roosevelt Island Farmers Market is the Wengerd Family. Time Out New York reports:

... we stop by the island’s farmers’ market, located under a gray Motorcade parking garage. Teetering tables of fresh fruit and other produce—peaches, tomatoes, sugarplums, corn, apricots and more—are run by a group of Holdeman Mennonites led by the chinstrap-bearded Israel J. Wengerd. He’s been coming from Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, to peddle his father’s (and now his) wares on R.I. since 1988, when he was just 12. “This was always my market,” says Wengerd, “and I found the people to be very friendly.” Marketgoer Sandra Levine, a 31-year Islander and architectural historian, simultaneously lambasts the island’s Gristedes (“the worst in the city”) while praising Wengerd’s comestibles: “The stuff that says home grown on it is really good.”

According to this 12/15/01 Main Street WIRE, the local Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 Parents Association has a permit from RIOC under which the Farmers Market operates. The PS/IS 217 web site reports:

Every Saturday the Farmer's Market and Marketplace at Motorgate Plaza continues to be a source of revenue for PS/IS 217. Please continue to patronize our vendors.

Can anyone answer Yona's question regarding whom to contact in order to sell at the Roosevelt Island Farmers Market?

UPDATE 6PM -RIOC'S V.P. of Operations Fernando Martinez has the answer:

The school PTA manages the Saturday farmer's market. Interested vendors should contact Lydia Tang at chinatv@aol.com. The fee is $30 per weekend to set up a table.

UPDATE - 10/16 - Yona contacted the Roosevelt Island PTA and reports:

Not really sure that I will get in. I spoke to a man named brad and he said someone else was selling quiche as well. I tried to explain to him that mine are different. In that they are small cupcake size and all vegetarian but I do not know if that convinced him. He said there "would be a meeting about it" so I don't know if I will get in. Would love to since I heard it is a really nice market.

Perplexed
Yona

PS come and taste them at the east side flea (saturday)or at the west side flea market on Sundays on columbus and 77th.

UPDATE 4/12/10 - Current information as to how to set up shop at the Roosevelt Island Farmers Market here.