Since summer has officially become autumn, it is time to fall into the season’s beloved activities, one of which you can find just across the street from Fordham University at the New York Botanical Garden Farmers Market. The Farmers Market is held every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Tulip Tree Allée. This weekly event is the perfect place to buy local produce and freshly baked goods. Browsing through the vendors is a sure way to get into the autumn spirit as the weather turns crisp and the leaves begin to change. Some vendor stands are already decorated with pumpkins and straw.
The first thing I noticed about the Farmers Market was that it was smaller than I had anticipated. However, I did figure out that the vendors rotate every week, so shoppers will be able to get a variety of vendors while still having the chance to buy from the same ones when they come back. There is the exception of a permanent spot for Fino Farms and Fresh Meadow Farms, which is where most people buy their produce.
As I was walking around, I noticed multiple Fordham students walking out with full bags of produce like fruit, vegetables and potatoes. After seeing how popular the produce was, I decided to try some green apples from Fino Farms. I wish I had gone back for more because these apples were much better than the fruit on campus. Stopping by this stand is a must, especially as their apples enter prime season.
Personally, I spent more of my money on the baked goods since the produce was getting most of the attention. I do regret to say that I was disappointed with the bagels from DoughCo Bagels. They could have been a lot better, especially considering we are in New York City. Despite the generous helping of cream cheese, I could not get over the staleness of the sesame bagel. If you are still in the mood for a doughy treat, I would instead recommend grabbing a home-baked scone from The Sconery, specifically the cranberry or cheddar cheese flavor.
For those with a sweet tooth, Gaelle’s French Pastries has macarons in an array of colors, as well as some nut-flavored treats. I would recommend the hazelnut croquet. Raw Chocolate Love and Boogie Down Bronx Honey also offer sweet treats. An ice cream stand is at the market for you to enjoy before it gets too cold. Across the way is also a stand for hot coffee. The option for something both hot and cold is another reason why this Farmers Market is a great place to spend time while we wait for sweater weather.
If you attend the Farmers Market around lunch time and are in the mood for something more filling, there are vendors waiting just for you. At the Grumpy Dumpling, someone cooks up a serving of dumplings in a pan right in front of you. For something you can save for later, the Wild Radish has prepared meals for you to take home and heat up. This was another stand I noticed that was popular with Fordham students.
Despite this weekly event being very food based, there are other aspects to enjoy about it. For instance, there is a light playing of the keyboard and snappy singing right in the middle of the street. This live music was one of the first things I noticed as I walked toward the area, and I think it was what made the environment feel so fun. One of my favorite touches to this market was towards the end where there is a stand filled with books from the Mertz Library. There were also tables and chairs set up in front of the scenic Mertz Library Building that welcomed people to stay and enjoy their recently bought food.
Visiting the farmers market is yet another fun thing to do close to campus. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a short and relaxing activity to do during the week without having to travel to Manhattan. The market is also a great way to support and see what goes on in the Bronx community as most of the vendors are local. Make sure to stop by next Wednesday, or any other week, until it closes on Oct. 23.
