Deep Roots Farmers Market made its debut at Steppingstone Park in Great Neck on Father’s Day.
The market, voted the No. 1 Farmers Market on Long Island by the Long Island Choice Awards in 2021, is food-focused and supports local businesses but also features artists and crafters as well as live music.
The market’s presence in Great Neck is in conjunction with the Great Neck Park District, after residents voted in favor of the market in a poll conducted by the district.
“It was an opportunity that presented itself,” said Deep Roots owner Amy Peters. “The company that started here last year decided to not do it again this year, so the Park District reached out to me to see if I was interested in having a second location.”
The vendors that participated in the kick-off include Big Nenas Kitchen, Davy Jones Fish and Shellfish, Dobler Farms, Finest Macarons, Goodale Farms, Horman’s Pickles, Imperial Empanadas, Johnny Breads, K9 Bros, Melmade Gourmet Cookies, Mushroom Queens, Porchside Bakery, Sea Cliff Hemp Co., Side Hustle Bread, Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery, Table and Soul, The Cheese Guy, and Total Sicily.
“We’ll probably end up with about 30 vendors by mid-season and hopefully we’ll be able to continue to grow it from there,” said Peters. “We’ve got a lot of interest as long as the public comes out and supports the market.”
Games such as corn hole and Giant Jenga were also offered for children and their families to participate in. Peters and the market’s onsite manager, Lesley Rafuse, will also introduce a story time and nutrition guide for kids in the community.
“It’s different than a parking lot,” Rafuse said. “People buy and then they leave, but when they come here, they do yoga in the park, they swim in the pool, there’s concerts later on, and they put out stuff for the kids to play. There’s a lot of communal activities thrown in as well. It’s all encompassing for a farmer’s market, so it’s great.”
Peters started Deep Roots Farmers Market back in 2014, in a small yard next to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Sea Cliff. The location was moved to Garvies Point after the market expanded.
Peters has been advocating for local food and local farmers for 25 years.
“Every single person that’s here either makes or grows what they sell,” said Peters. “Nobody’s doing wholesaling. Everybody is a local maker or producer. It’s a very strict rule.”
The market will be held every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Steppingstone Park through Labor Day weekend. Afterwards the market will move to Firefighters Park from Sept. 11 through Nov. 20 for the fall market season.
