Saturday, October 3, 2026
For those in search of farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, a must-visit destination is the weekly farmers market at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow.
The market is open on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in parking field 8 — rain or shine.
Hosted by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County, the market features vendors from across Long Island offering healthy, affordable food options, arts and crafts, and other supplies.
Jennifer Hochuli, the extension’s food systems and agriculture program coordinator, has been involved with the farmers market every year since she joined the organization in 2021.
“We started very small,” she said. “We started with just the CCE Nassau farm stand and one vendor, and it’s grown substantially since then.”
The goal of the farmers market is to fulfill some of the extension’s main objectives, including promoting horticulture and nutrition in residential areas.
“We want to help people live healthy lifestyles,” she said. “I put it because we bring awareness to the benefits of eating farm fresh produce and supporting local businesses.”
According to Hochuli, “the organization is committed to building healthy lifestyles and sustainable communities by conducting high quality educational programs that connect Cornell University knowledge and research to community needs for all people in the counties.”
“I’m very mission-oriented,” she said, “and the market is very much dedicated to that in its own regard.”
The farmers market is an important entryway to bring local residents in touch with their neighbors, local businesses and environmental causes by creating a communal gathering space.
“Farmers markets don’t just happen there,” Hochuli said. “There’s a lot that goes into them, and I think that they are really an important element of the community. I want to give them access to farm fresh produce, locally made goods, and just help them be healthier.”
Every year, the market has grown to bring in new vendors, strengthening commerce for all Long Islanders.
“The other side of that is helping out small business owners,” she said. “It helps stimulate the local economy — you help local farmers, you increase access to fresh food.”
Kathy Scalzo, founder of the eco-friendly Backyard Bees in Oyster Bay, sells fresh honey from her many buzzing beehives every week at Eisenhower Park.
“I joined this market because it is sponsored by Cornell,” she said. “It has features that not all markets have, and there’s just a really nice education piece to it.
“It’s small, it’s intimate, but it has everything that you need,” Scalzo added. “It has produce, it has meat, it has honey, it has something sweet.
“We have sustainable body products that are packaged with plastic free so we do deodorant, shampoo, lip balm. And it’s kind of a triangle — good for the bees, good for the environment and good for you.”
One of the vendors, Mary Schneider, of Schneiders Farm in Melville, makes the trek to Eisenhower Park to sell flowers and vegetables at the farmers market. The Schneider family is originally from East Meadow, making the market a delightful opportunity for them to return to their roots.
“We were approached by Jennifer four years ago,” Schneider said. “The timing was perfect, and it’s been a great collaboration.
“It’s another option of not shopping in a big box store,” she added. “You know where your products are coming from, you’re speaking directly to the grower, and everything is locally sourced. You’re getting your best, freshest quality.”
