Bernadette Martin is a force of nature.
A homegrown hero ready made for a Sundance documentary.
A Future Farmers of America (FFA) who made good on the
dream.
Martin’s passion and knowledge of horticulture and local
agriculture is what fuels the success of Nassau County’s Long Island Farmer’s
Markets.
After years of dedicated work as a farmer’s inspector with
the New York City Greenmarket network and credentialed practice within the
burgeoning field of horticulture therapy, Martin returned to her roots in Long
Island only to find to her great distress, that there was “nothing to eat.”
Something had been lost. In 2008, she found the area more
“food challenged” than it’s true pedigree of homegrown.
Foodstuffs grown in the unique soil and terroir of Long
Island had long had a reputation for the flavor it imparts to the vegetables
and fruits. Same with the waters.
So what’s a foodie to do? Martin called her legislator in
town to secure support in order to establish a local farmer’s market.
“That was in March. By July – we were up and running as Long Island Farmers Market,” Martin recalls with justified pride. http://ligreenmarket.org/LIGREENMARKET.ORG/Long_Beach.html
“That was in March. By July – we were up and running as Long Island Farmers Market,” Martin recalls with justified pride. http://ligreenmarket.org/LIGREENMARKET.ORG/Long_Beach.html
For anyone who has not worked in agriculture, it’s worth
pointing out that in this geography and growing zone zip code – even up and
down more than a few numbers on the scale, there isn’t a busier time on the farms
except for the harvest.
The fact that Martin helped coalesce the local food market
is a huge accomplishment – and within such a small window of precious seasonal
spring -- is nothing short of a miracle...
And the accomplishment also reveals her personal
relationship to the land and the water – and to the professionals who yield
food from nature here.
“You have to know them,” noted Martin, explaining how she
was able to get the local farmers on board – and so quickly.
“You have to be someone they respect, “she added.
Basically, through networking and persistence, Martin single-handedly
called the producers, starting with a clutch of New York’s favorites, including
Red Jacket Orchards (LOVE their Tart
Cherry juice!), B&J Organics,
fishermen from Oceanside and Freeport, and Bread
Alone.
From there, it was word of mouth that encouraged other
producers to join the ever-growing greenmarket.
Today,
the Greenmarket provides a cornucopia of food including certified organic
vegetables and greens, Long Island corn, heirloom tomatoes, potatoes, squash
and onions, fresh fruits and juice, cheese, milk, wine, pasta, pickles,
regional shellfish and fish, and baked goods.
Rob
Carucci, a second-generation Mattituck, Long Island farmer whose Carucci Greenhouses & Farm produces
mouth-watering, organic food in just about every season, offering a vast
variety, including pumpkins, leeks, bok choy, radishes, eggplant beans, eggs,
squash, and of course, Long Island corn and the Carucci specialty: tomatoes.
A
certain fast food company may lay claim to a special sauce but Rob says his
father has a truly special way with food.
“If he’s
not farming; he’s in the kitchen cooking,” he says with a smile. “And he loves to share his recipes with our
customers.”
Rob goes
on to say how his father has a way of working with the already unique Long
Island soil. “It’s a family secret that
all our customers swear makes the tomatoes so flavorful,” he explains
“Everyone
loves them,” claims Carucci.
The
eight varieties of Carucci tomatoes include Pick Red, plum, several varieties
of heirloom, grape, tomato, cherry and Sun Gold.
The
Carucci’s have been part of Martin’s circuit of greenmarkets since she launched
them in ’08.
“She
fantastic,” said Carucci. “Bernadette
runs one of THE best Greenmarkets. They
are professional; she knows how to market them; and there is great camaraderie,
“ he explained, noting that prior to working with her in Long Island they had
worked the NYC greenmarkets.
His father
bought the farm 33 years ago and the expanded family continues to nurture the 37-acre
farm -- and seven very large greenhouses -- that supply homegrown food to Island
residents and nearby chefs. They’ve even grown specific items when chefs ask
them to. “We had a local pickle company
ask us to grow things for them too,” he commented.
When
asked how to describe their customers, Carucci said “Greenmarket customers are
more educated, more sophisticated, health conscious and very loyal.”
“They
want to connect with the farmer.”
He was
quick to point out they don’t use any herbicides or use any GMO’s. “We eat this too,” he says by way of
explaining their commitment to organics.
There is
sense of discovery at greenmarkets. The
unmistakable, “What is this?” that prompts a conversation. So too, do the
seasons.
The
market offers recipes from the growers.
A
registered dietician on Martin’s staff produces healthy homegrown recipes that
shoppers can get free from the newsletter.
And
culinary conversations abound within the shoppers themselves. Mothers conferring
with other mothers about dinner or a lunch to make for school.
Romantics
seeking out that special, savory ingredient sure to please their loved ones.
And there
are endless, local twists on a recipe or seasonal menu drivers.
Carucci
notes the difference in the local markets and the diversity of food traditions
just within his circuit of food markets in Nassau County.
Moreover,
Carucci confirms there is a palatable sense of community the Farmers Market
foment.
The
farmers markets invigorate the local economy,
There is
a reverence for food that permeates a greenmarket that cannot be overlooked.
Embrace
it.
If culinary art wasn’t enough, not too long after the Farmers
Market’s initial success, Arts in the
Plaza http://www.artsintheplaza.com
a local organization that showcases creative fine artists was sharing the Plaza
with the farmers market.
Arts in the Plaza features artists, art for sale, and the stories
of inspiration that fuel their art.
Not unlike this Examiner’s book, The Hamptons & Long Island Homegrown Cookbook that tells the
good food stories of locavore, pasture-to-plate chefs -- their work and passion,
along with the local food artisans, farmers and fisherman who inspire them.
Farmers Market Special
Event
A market-driven cooking demo and author’s book signing, is
scheduled for Saturday, October 27th 11:00am to 1pm at the Long Beach Greenmarket, located at:
1 West Chester Street, Long Beach, NY adjacent to the
LIRR.
There is one scheduled for Sunday, October 28th too. Please check the website for a final on this
event. The pending severe storm watch may cause the Sunday Kings Park Farmers
Market to be rescheduled for the following weekend. Stay tuned.
