Elmont farmer’s market brings community closer
For the first time in Elmont’s history, the community held a farmer’s market on June 30, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., showcasing a variety of goods from local vendors, including fresh tomatoes, pickles, corn, strawberries, fish and organic bread.
The market was held at the Alva T. Stanforth Sports Complex, just west of the Elmont Memorial Library, on Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont. Created through a collaboration by the Elmont Chamber of Commerce and Friends & Farmers Inc., the market will be held every Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., until Nov. 17.
Nearly 100 people attended the market’s ribbon-cutting, at 11 a.m. last Thursday, and several hundred shopped throughout the day.
“I was pleasantly surprised, and I think everyone was pleasantly surprised,” said Muzzio Tallini, a member of the Elmont Chamber of Commerce, who was a key player in the market’s establishment. “I think it’s a good sign of things to come. I hope this grows every week. This is truly phenomenal. Everyone was having a great time. Everyone just had a smile on their face, and it gave me a tremendous amount of pride.”
Tallini came up with the idea for the market at a chamber meeting nearly two years ago, he said. He gave a speech to attendees prior to the ribbon-cutting, praising community and civic leaders, who helped make the market a reality.
“The farmer’s market is a good step to showing Elmont, the surrounding communities and local government all of the un-tapped potential that exists along Hempstead Turnpike,” Tallini said.
Al Harper, the Elmont Union Free School District’s superintendent, and Dr. Ralph Ferrie, the Sewanhaka Central High School District’s new superintendent, attended the market, as well as local dignitaries, including Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilman Ed Ambrosino.
“I’m absolutely thrilled,” Murray said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for mom-and-pop vendors to sell their goods, and it’s also a great chance for the community to buy truly fresh vegetables and produce.”
Ambrosino said that the market’s opening was a great day for Elmont. “We’re really getting back to our farming roots,” he added.
