JOHN JAY HOMESTEAD FARM MARKET BEGINS ITS 6TH YEAR ON HISTORIC SITEIN KATONAH

KATONAH, N.Y. (May 10, 2016) –The John Jay Homestead Farm Market will reopen on Saturday, June 11th on the 62-acre historic site. Small localfarms within miles of the site remain the focus of the market. They include Amawalk Farm and Mobius Fields of Katonah, Cabbage Hill Farm of Mt. Kisco, Deep Roots Farm NY of North Salem and JD Farms of Brewster. Our regional farms include John Boys Farm of Cambridge, as well as Do Re Me Farms and Breezy Hill Orchards from the Hudson Valley.

This independent seasonal market will offer produce, fruit and flowers, including heirloom varieties, all locally grown, using organic, biodynamic and conventional methods. There will be an array of artisanal baked goods, including vegan and gluten-free offerings, cheese, eggs, meats, fresh seafood, fresh roasted coffee and teas, nut milks and cold pressed juices, hand-made pasta, prepared foods, as well as hand-crafted local products.

The market will draw from over 50 vendors this season, averaging 30+ vendors a week. Among the returning vendors are Pizza Luca of White Plains, Red Barn Bakery of Irvington, Om Champagne Tea and Plum Plums Cheese of Pound Ridge, Johnny Gelato of Ridgefield and Wave Hill Breads of Norwalk. New vendors to include Jnana Organics of Mt. Kisco, Hudson Valley’s Hillrock Estate Distillery and the Clock Tower Grill food truck of Brewster.

“We believe our shoppers should not only have direct access to fresh, local produce, but they should have direct access to the farmer,” said Market Manager Jennifer Gordon. “What sets us apart is that you will actually find the farmer, family member or owner working the booths of our market and that includes the local cottage industries we bring in to complement the produce, “said Gordon. “We are as much about educating the consumers as we are about providing local nutritious food,” she continued.

Each week the market will host a different non-profit organization. “This season we will be host to Caramoor, Community Center of Northern Westchester, Katonah Museum of Art, Food Bank for Westchester, Rehabilitation through the Arts and many more, “said Gordon.“There will be lots of fun things going on opening day. Seasonal Chef’s Maria Reina will do a cooking demo and there willbe a scavenger huntfor children that will continue onthe second Saturday of every month,” she finished.

Shoppers will enjoy walking among the 19th century farm buildings and are welcome to exploreflower, herb and vegetable gardens, a chicken-and-egg co-operative and a 12-hive apiary, along with wooded trails and a pond. They can take a guided tour of John Jay’s Bedford House, discover the Carriage Barn Education and Visitor Center, featuring state-of-the-art computerized interactive displays or explore the site’s six Discovery Centers, filled with hands-on activities.

John Jay Homestead Farm Market is located at 400 Jay Street, in Katonah, N.Y. and will run from Saturday, June 11- Saturday, October 29 from 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.

John Jay Homestead:

John Jay’s public roles included President of the Continental Congress, second U.S. Secretary for Foreign Affairs, first Chief Justice of the United States, and second Governor ofNew York State. After a long career of public service, Jay retired to his “Bedford Farm” in 1801 to live the life of a gentleman farmer. Jay’s descendants continued to live in the house until the 1950’s when the house and farm became a New YorkState Historic Site.

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