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Grand Army Plaza (2, 3)
Sat. 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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hey man if you think i'm gonna bash, diss and badmouth the coolest by-my-house organic food stash in Brooklyn, then you need to go check yourself before you wreck yourself! This ain't Al Bundy in a wet t-shirt contest! This is something you need to open up your heart to! I'm gonna write numbers now and you're gonna read them!
1) These guys have more tomatoes than you can shake a stick at. And while shaking sticks at tomatoes isn't really my thing, I totally get my analogy. And so do you.
2) I love the bread venders. Sometimes we just pick up some smoked fish from the smoked fish people, sit on a bench and eat fresh bread and smoked fish. Think we'd be able to do that without the green market??? The answer is YES!! But it'd be harder!
3) Number three is here because it reminds me of the crazy people who hang out at the market trying to talk you into things like looking at their performance art. Or worship wind power. Things that I'd do regardless, but since they asked me to, I resist!
4) I get so excited about organic food that I use lots of exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5) Come on man. How can you get mad at collard greens and hundreds of pounds of mushrooms and jars and jars and jars of honey??? If you get mad at them, you'll get mad at anything. Seriously, you might be insane.
6) Want some water? Somebody's selling it somewhere. It's New York! But forget that. You can get water anywhere. Go toward the park and buy some mint ice tea from that guy over there. Sometimes his kid is running the table. She has lots of tea! YUMmmm!!!
7) I don't feel like writing up to ten!
8) Get to the market before winter time or you'll hate yourself! And I'll hate you too, which will suck because I like everybody!
9) That's a lie.
Okay bye!
+not crowded
+many plants
+clean
-not much variety
-not much fruit, and fish
What a great farmer's market! It is one of the biggest I have seen so far, perhaps surpassed only by the Union Square market, but the quality of the produce and baked goods is unbelievable. Bring cash!
The Herb Lady (I'm sure this is her given name) is a rather odd character, but her selection is wonderful. I saw fresh eucalyptus plants, thyme, spearmint, pineapple mint, parsley, dill, and more. No brown, dying leaves here- everything was fresh and green. My boyfriend picked up a cute little bonsai tree for our apartment, and I just had to pick up some chive and peppermint plants, too.
The Orchid Man (so I have a short memory for names, sue me) was a really offbeat old guy who loves his flowers. It was $15 for an orchid so beautiful that I got stopped twice by other patrons and asked directions for the booth!
Be sure to stop by Blue Moon- you won't get fresher fish anywhere. But come early! These guys arrive on time and sell out early. Lobsters were $8.95 each.
The Cheese Ladies have some wonderful cheese (Zagat gave their farm a 27 for food!).
And just in case you felt a bit yuppylicious, remember that GAP greenmarket accepts food stamps so everyone can eat fresh, local food.
Oh BK I heart you!! I love the farmers market! My friend who lives in harlem came down saturday..and I thought I would show her the benefits of BK! I'm still trying to convince her to leave Harlem! so we got a block of goat cheese..some red wine ok that i didn't buy at the farmers market, and some fresh home made bread! Total coast mmm $20...we sat in the park..drank our wine..ate our bread and cheese!
The farmers market has ofcourse fresh veggies, jams...bread i can just go on! Orchids too! seriously you can't go wrong..plus who doesn't want to support local farmers?!!
I love meandering over here on a lazy Saturday. Right now (October) they have so many farmers bringing various kinds of squash and potatoes. I just cooked some ambercup and buttercup squash and they were delicious! Not to mention the fresh apple cider you can get here also...
I go to this market from time to time and it's not what it used to be. The produce to me used to be fresher than it is now when they come by. It seems like they are selling the rest of the week's crops to get rid of it. If time is on your side, Union Square or another local market may be a better choice. On Tuesdays, the market on Cadman Plaza isn't so bad itself.
If I do go to Grand Army Plaza, it's only to buy some of that delicious turkey meat. It's a bit pricey but it's flavor more than makes up for it.
I would like to go on record that I bought my first slab of "red-ish" meat here.
Okay. I fibbed.
I didn't actually purchase the (turkey)meat. My friend did.
She paid the 10 bucks. We brought the meat home and I fried it up in sausage type patties. I made some omelets. She toasted the bagels. I cut the strawberries and bananas.
I pretty much spent the entire weekend being a good domestic housewife. I didn't know I had that in me.
Thank you Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket for inspiring me to cook up some MEAT in a frying pan. I highly appreciate the grease stains on my olive green tank top from all my domestic house duties.
I stick by my older review but this review is for Milk Thistle Farms:
Your chocolate milk is the purest form of heaven in a bottle.
...I'm serious. Go get a bottle (fyi they usually sell out) then walk down the path into the park. Sit on the grass. Gulp the milk. Life is beautiful.
Gotta say I found it pretty pricey here.
Definitely prefer Union Square.
The produce I bought was…
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While the Union Square Greenmarket is still my favorite, the greenmarket at Grand Army Plaza is the next best thing. For one, it is also open all year and just like Union Square, it has a few of the same vendors. I was able to spot some of my favorites such as:
Cato Corner Dairy (great cheeses)
Body & Soul which serves amazing homeade and not bland vegan dishes. I had an escarol and white bean empanada once and it was really healthy and delicious.
Ronnybrook Farms
Those are the only names I can think of at the moment but there was fresh produce, cider, a wine booth, fresh breads, etc. And the park is right there! It definitely has all the makings of a great picnic in Prospect Park. I will be coming here as much as I can.
There is absolutely nothing better than walking through the Greenmarket on an early Saturday summer morning after going to the gym, picking up a vegan corn muffin from Body&Soul, and a container of fresh blueberries, or an asian pear, and sitting on the ledge of the park watching the people and cute dogs pass by.
Oh -- and make sure you buy a Tickle Hill bottle of peach-wine. Dessert in a bottle.
As can be expected, it can't compare to the Union Square Farmer's Market. But the selection here is pretty broad and seems to have all the basics. Atmosphere is a little weird-- maybe I only pass by later towards the afternoon, but it feels so empty and kind of foreboding with all the cars rushing by...
Regardless, a solid farmer's market that I would frequent a heck of a lot more if I lived in Park Slope-- even though Union Square is better, I can't think of a valid reason a local would go through the hassle of spending $4 for the subway there, rather than just walking to Grand Army Plaza and maybe paying that much more for a giant load of produce.
Up a notch from "A-OK" because it's a great resource for Park Slope people, and just a nice place in general to walk around and revel in the freshness of it all. Oh, and also to sample some yummy jams/preserves.
After going to this market yesterday, it made me nostalgic for the great open air markets in London I used to frequent, not more than a couple months ago. Having just Yelp-reviewed those London markets, I'm almost tempted to give this market a 2-star rating, since I really have seen much better markets before.
However, given the dearth of farmers' markets in Brooklyn, if not NYC, & after having gone to some smaller markets around town, I'd have to say this is pretty good. FOR THIS AREA, this is the best market around.
This is a good-sized market with a good selection of "local" produce ("local" meaning from somewhere in NY, not necessarily right here in Brooklyn). Plus, having a large park right nearby gives this market extra points since you can enjoy your purchases as part of an afternoon picnic in the park.
I think this is probably the best open air farmer's market I'll be able to find in Brooklyn. I like that I have this option & won't have to trek all about NYC trying to find fresh produce. Plus, I just love farmers' markets anyways. Gotta support 'em any chance I get.
(Note: Credit cards are not accepted at the stands, but you can use your cards & get tokens to buy food with, I think.)
I used to live near the Union Square market, and there is truly no replacement for it. It's so much bigger than any other greenmarket in the city, and that broad selection is unbeatable.
That said, however...what GAP gives up in variety, it more than makes up for in quality. Bradley, Maxwell, Blue Moon Seafood, Evolutionary, Wilklow, Flying Pigs, all provide the highest, highest quality food available in New York.
Yes, it's expensive. But, what's the most important thing for you to do in your life? Treat your body like the temple that it is. Don't eat junk. Don't buy "Organic" because the government tells you it's good for you, even though it's been shipped here from California. What a waste.
Okay, my $.02.
I'll shut up now.
The Green Market at Grand Army Plaza is nice. There is usually a good selection, except some of the winter weekends but that's ok. It's not as big as Union Square but it's also closer and not as crowed. I try to go every week but some weeks I just cannot force myself to get moving early enough. That being said a few of the vendors hang out later than the official hours.
It can be crowded some times and all of the strollers can get annoying but all in all it is a solid market. I wish it was more than once a week!
Yes, it's pricey and is more modestly sized. the smaller size means there are a few repeats of the most market-y type of things: eggs, bread, veg, fruit. to be expected.
Bring your own bag, bring cash and feel good that you are supporting local biz and getting fresh stuff. The EGGS I got here were noticeably the freshest, tastiest eggs I've ever had. The yolks practically stood out of the pan ( a sign of a fresh egg).
And know that "local" may still mean that these vendors have hauled in from pretty far away. I am just glad I live close to a market at all. who wants to take the train into Union Square just to enjoy a meal at home?
Grab some fresh cider, mini baguettes, apples, and goat cheese. Put it in your canvas bag. Hop back on the bike and head down into the park for a picnic. Bliss....
Great selection, solid offerings, not as large as Union, but very easy to bike to if you don't live right around the corner. Hit the library while you're here.
I love this place! If you're just passing by, check out the free samples of cheeses, apples, jams, and jellies. Otherwise, come with a canvas tote bag and fill it with a week's worth of fresh produce! They also have fish, poultry, and meat!
Also: they have a great (and cheap!) selection of houseplants!
Everything is so fresh and yummy, you'll find yourself coming back again and again! Also, you'll feel really good about supporting local farmers, cheesemakers, fishermen, etc.!
Bring cash, a big sturdy reuseable bag and arrive early! And eat breakfast first because you will buy up everything if you go on an empty stomach.
On a good day, the Grand Army market has what you're looking for: strawberries, lemon verbena plants, dahlias about to bloom, sundried tomato foccacia, pickled relish, the tastiest seafood, rhubarb preserves, fresh goat cheese, summer squash... I like this one better than the Union Square market because it's smaller and feels more like a neighborhood establishment and less like another NYC attraction.
I do wish there was a bigger selection of organic foods, but this market is a definitely a gift in a neighborhood ripe with sparse, overpriced supermarkets.
I love this market - I try to go every Saturday. Lately there have been more vendors and it's getting really crowded. Unfortunately for your Saturday morning situation, you should get here early. Last time I went, I noticed a line of at least 15 people lined up for the fishmonger. In fact, if you go after 1pm, don't be surprised if the fish are sold out. The amazing variety of produce is great to check out, and it's first come first serve.
My favorite vendor is Rick's Picks, 'cause i'm obsessed with their smokra (pickled okra). But I always hit the baker with the short short shorts first to make sure they're not sold out of whole wheat baguettes. mmm. Also, I'm a fan of picking up a bundle of kale for $2.50 that you could not eat in a week if you tried. Love the produce! Great people watching.
Take your Friday night date through here if they are lucky enough to end up in your neigborhood in the morning.
Part of a perfect Brooklyn Saturday. A perfectly manageable number of vendors: you can get anything you'd want from a farmer's market, but don't have to get lost between the booths. (Bonus: they're open until mid-afternoon, around 3 or 4.)
If you stop of a cup of hot cider as they're winding down, odds are good you'll get a free, fresh doughnut with it too! (The ones from the stand in the far northwest corner are cinnamon-sugar, the ones two booths over are straight up. They will redefine doughnuts for you.)
If you're ever at Grand Army Plaza to check out the market, or if you haven't done so already, be sure to take a moment to check out Baily Fountain, which is right behind the Greco-Roman-style Civil War monument arch (Arc de Triomphe) adorned with elaborate sculptures (something you should also check out).
This fountain was built in 1932 by architect Edgerton Swarthout and sculptor Eugene Savage. It features some allegorical and mythical figures, including the god of water Neptune, and a pair of nudes representing wisdom and felicity.
I actually enjoy really beautiful, ornate fountains, and I think this is one of the best I've seen, and one of my favorites, including out of many that I've seen in such places as Brussels, Madrid, Amsterdam, and Paris, to name a few.
Note: I posted a few pictures.
Wow - great selection at this greenmarket! I've only been here once, but stocked up on fresh herbs to plant in my new garden. It's so overwhelming, there are so many different vendors to choose from and everything looks so fresh and amazing. Definitely worth a trip to Grand Army Plaza on a Saturday to check out!!
For years I would get up at the crack of dawn to buy fish from a family that was also up at the crack of dawn catching it. There is also and excellent turkey farmer who makes great sausage. I've bought baked goods from the Amish but my favorite are the fresh ciders and jars of jam. I must be a little old lady inside. It's nice to mill around and watch folks with their chubby babies and well groomed canine family members. Definitely stop buy for a healthy snack after you've gone bike riding or just did a run. Now I drag myself later in the day. But I can always find what I want. The vendors are friendly. Bring your cash because most don't have credit card machines. I mean open air is the point. Not plastic.
Well, it's not quite as expansive or well-stocked as the Union Square Greenmarket (and obviously not as frequent), but who wants to trek to trendyland anyway? It's a very very close second.
The fishmonger that's always there is really terrific. They've been written up in all kinds of papers and their food is terrific. This past Saturday, there was a booth with a seemingly endless supply of sungold tomatoes that made for delicious bruschetta, which I made with bread from a baker and basil from another grower at the Greenmarket.
It literally is possible to construct a whole meal from one visit to this place. Highly highly highly recommended.
P.S. Some vendors accept credit cards, but it's a good idea to stock up on cash anyway.
One of my favorite places to buy local, the GAP Greenmarket is consistently packed with Brooklynites eager to pick up fresh fish, flowers, cheese, meat and, of course, fruit and vegetables. Get there early because some vendors sell out of their stock by mid-morning, so especially if you're looking for something in limited supply like morels or ramps, you'll want to be punctual.
"We cut out the middleman, so we can charge you double." That's the slogan here (or should be)
Why do the farmers market vendors charge $1.50 per lb for apples and $3.50-$5 for a loaf of bread? Apples actually DO grow on trees, y'know. In the store, apples are $0.59 cents a pound.
Seriously, get over yourselves. Some guy was selling a tiny bunch of chard, perhaps a quarter of a pound, for $2. A one pound bag of carrots--$2. Another vendor was selling cheese for $20 per pound. Now, unless the cheese is made from the milk of goats living in the Chelsea Hotel, there is no way they can justify charging $20 a lb for cheese---well, I guess if you are selling to the Masters Of The Universe who have taken over Park Slope. Shit, might as well treat these overpaid Wall Street slime as a bunch of rubes, but what about some honest pricing for the rest of us?
I want to support local farmers and want to stick it to greedy agribusiness, but really. You don't have to pay distributors, you don't have to pay utilities or refrigeration on a retail store, you don't have to pay rent to some greedy slumlord, you don't pay for pesticides, so why the hell does everything cost AT LEAST double at the farmer's market? I feel like I've committed heresy, but I'm just keepin' it real.
For us Brooklynites, this is the equivalent to the Union Square Greenmarket, complete with enthusiastic farmers, apple-sellers, and the lot. It's open nearly every Saturday of the year, and is especially bountiful in Fall and Spring. Go there as an outing or for your local produce, then hang out in Prospect Park, followed up by a trip to the Brooklyn Museum or Library, and you've got a great day ahead of you. I like the stand that sells local fish, caught off a boat in Long Island, and the people who sell plants grown in the Bronx. If you live near Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights or Flatbush Avenue, there's no reason you shouldn't be shopping at this Greenmarket!
This is one of my favorite parts about living in Brooklyn. My parents out in Mill Basin will still make the drive out here to get fresh produce on Saturday mornings. I'll usually come here after a run in the park. The combo of running and the market make me feel so darn healthy (even if I am eating the chocolate chip cookies they have there) Even my dog loved this place, thanks to the turkey sausage vendor and many of the other vendors who spoiled her.
Summer and fall are the best. You can really buy all of your groceries for the week here. Ronnybrook milk and yogurt, wonderful varieties of apples, berries galore, fresh herbs, lots of different greens, fresh baked bread and awesome foccacia, jams, local wine, fresh fish right off the boat, and heirloom and beefsteak tomatoes. Oh, and beautiful flowers. I could really spend the whole day here. The atmosphere is so friendly.
If it's fall, don't forget to get a cup of hot apple cider and some of the best doughnuts in Brooklyn.
Definitely a terrific place to buy local, fresh and organic produce. It's absolutely wonderful. The quality of the produce is spectacular and selection is very good. You do find less to choose from here than at Union Square, but I found the produce less picked over, less bruised or battered due to less hands pawing through the piles and bins. I found exquisite green beans, jerusalem artichokes, cranberry beans, yellow carrots, french breakfast radishes, goat cheese with honey orange and walnut.... anyone hungry yet? Let's get cooking!
Love it! My wife and I go every Saturday (not as much when it gets colder but they are there year round) and we get fresh veggies and sometimes breads and pastries. The best thing is the pizza stand that has so many different options. Bring them home and throw them in the oven for 10-15 minutes and enjoy. They also have fresh fish,cheese,milk,spices and all the essentials at a good farmer's market.
A nice greenmarket, I would recommend two things: There a booth that sells currants and gooseberries, and where else can you find fresh red and black currants and gooseberries in season? Pretty nice. Also, there's an apple/plum/peach guy, you'll recognize him because he looks like a farmer. Suspenders, craggly skin, gravely voice, 60-something-ish, big build; a nice fellow. Runs the Tree-licious apple orchid in Port Murray, NJ. I have found them to have the most delectible apple and peach butter around. First off, I usually get Eden's apple butter from the co-op, and that stuff is pretty good. It's got flavor and spice. Well, I tried some of their stuff, and it blew me away. It was not as viscous as Eden's apple butter, but it was so flavorful -- almost tart! Maybe that's how it's suppose to taste? And the peach butter was very very spicey, the ingredients say "spiced with Cinnamon, allspice and cloves". In both there is no sugar added, so you know it's the fruit you're tasting. $3 for 4 oz, $6 for 8 oz.
Let me recommend on other thing from them: The cinnamon rolls. I don't know if they bake them or they just bring them in, but they have the cinnamon rolls that are really nice. They aren't hot or anything, and I ate mine right after I bought it, but there was the marking of a great cinnamon roll in it. It was just great. Lots of butter and cinnamon and sugar, if you like that stuff. I can only imagine what it tastes like heated up.
Another vendor, Baker's Bounty from Linden, NJ sells these stromboli's for $3 and they are just awesome. Grab one, throw it in your oven for 15 minutes at 250 and you are set. You can't go wrong. They also have these huge muffins for $2, but I haven't tried them yet.
Also, if you get there in the morning, there have been these two vans parked on the west side of the plaza, on union or prospect park west, and one sells some good coffee and the other sells juices. So you don't have to walk all the way down flatbush or to 7th ave for a drink if you need to wash down some of the market's baked goods for breakfast.
Screw the Union Square Greenmarket. This place is the shit.
Not as big as Union Square Greenmarket, but has plenty of goodies for those enjoying this great part of Brooklyn.
I prefer organic to local when I have to chose and you wont find much organic here but what you will find is always fresh and tasty, however toxic chemical laden it may be! Especially those wine grapes, peaches and apples! I also love the sun dried tomato goat cheese from that goat cheese lady - it is a must try.
Can I tell you how much I love this place? I love the fact that I can just walk a few minutes from home and get some of the freshest produce in the city. And knowing that I am supporting local farmers, bakers, etc is another plus.
This is where i get most of my food. It is an important part of my life. I love the ronnybrook stand to get yogurt and milk in the glass bottle! They have the freshest place in all of New York to get fish, too. If you are a cheese fan, they got you covered. There are always at least 2 places to get cheese. I would also highly recommend the turkey farm to get some great turkey burgers, sausage, or smoked breasts. They also have whole turkeys you can buy or special order when thanksgiving comes around. All of the people who work here are very nice. P.S., even if it rains, they will still a good selection of things.
No BYO cover!
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