Saturday, June 21, 2025
The Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce is ushering in a new era for the beloved Deep Roots Farmers Market — one that honors the legacy of founder Amy Peters while planting new seeds for growth.
Beginning on May 31, the chamber will officially take over the operation of the Garvies Point market, where it has been a community fixture since 2021. Its 23-week season, which will continue through Nov. 1, will open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m..
The market will operate weekly on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine, with one exception: On June 7, it will relocate to Glen Cove Village Square to take part in the annual Greek Festival before returning to its waterfront home.
The transition comes at the request of Peters, who founded the market a decade ago and built it with fierce devotion until her death last year from lung cancer. During her illness, Peters turned to trusted community partners to ensure that her work would continue.
“She asked us specifically to please take over the market,” recalled Ylisa Kunze, director of Glen Cove Community Engagement at RXR Realty and now a co-chair of the market. “She devoted 10 years of her life to building this market, and didn’t want it to stop. She did it not just because it was her work, but really out of a concern for community — spreading good information about food, helping people eat healthfully and supporting small businesses.”
For the chamber, the decision to assume stewardship of the market was made after careful deliberation.
“We had a really good think about it with the board of the Chamber of Commerce,” Kunze said. “We needed to understand what it would mean for us to take this on, and we gave it incredibly careful consideration before committing to it. But we did, because we support these, ideals too.”
Chamber President Dr. Maxine Mayreis, who will co-chair the market alongside Kunze, said the organization is committed to maintaining the market’s integrity and its original purpose.
“We will continue the market in the spirit in which Amy Peters intended it,” Mayreis said. “There are strict rules about keeping it only to local makers, growers and producers. A farmers market is not a flea market — it’s about showcasing the people who actually grow, create and prepare what they sell.”
All food vendors must be licensed, and must produce their goods themselves. Many of them operate with home-processing certifications, and make packaged and bottled products as well.
The market also participates in the New York State Farmers Market Nutrition Program, enabling seniors and recipients of WIC — the supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children — to use state-issued discount coupons to purchase fresh, local produce.
Peters’s husband, Dave Berg, remembers how the market began as a simple farm stand in Sea Cliff. “When she started, it was literally her going to pick up eggs from the egg guy, then heading over to get vegetables from local farms,” Berg recounted.
The chamber now sees Deep Roots as an entrepreneurial launching pad. All participating vendors automatically become full-fledged chamber members for the season.
“I’m grateful we were able to agree to include all market vendors as chamber members, giving us the opportunity to promote their businesses outside of the market, which also acts as an incubator for small, growing businesses,” Chamber Executive Director Cliff Krauter said.
Vendor applications continue to roll in, with around 30 businesses signed up for the opening day and more expected as the season progresses. The market is capped at roughly 40 vendors due to space limitations.
Fees remain intentionally low — just $25 for vendors that participate once a month, and $50 for those who do so twice a monthly — giving small businesses access to the chamber’s networking and promotional benefits.
“Many of these people wouldn’t think to join a chamber, or would feel they’re too small,” said Mayreis. “But by joining through the market, they realize the value of what we offer.”
Each Saturday will also feature live acoustic performances from local musicians and family-friendly activities on the lawn behind the gazebo. George Blessing, franchise owner of Never Stop Moving 365 in Roslyn, will lead children’s fitness games from 10 to 10:45 a.m., including sack races, obstacle courses and sports skills training.
“Empowering children is really what we try to do — whether it’s a bike lesson, a swim lesson or just building confidence,” Blessing said.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for local businesses looking to support the market. Deep Roots Farmers Market Glen Cove LLC was created to manage the transition. The chamber encourages local producers, artisans and sponsors to get involved by visiting glencovechamber.org.
