Farmers' market to open June 18 in Tuxedo

TUXEDO-The Tuxedo Farmers' Market has been approved by the Tuxedo Chamber of Commerce as a sponsored event and will be open for business on Saturdays from June 18 through Oct. 29. The market will operate from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Tuxedo Train Station parking lot located on Route 17. The Tuxedo Farmers' Market will be a "true farm market," offering produce, meat, dairy and prepared foods strictly from local farms. Initiated by Tuxedo Park resident Christina Tremblay, the Tuxedo Farmers' Market is a model of cooperation between elected officials, the Tuxedo Chamber of Commerce and private citizens. The market, said Scott Lesko, president of the Tuxedo Chamber of Commerce and Tuxedo Farmers' Market co-chair, "will be beneficial for our community in many ways. The primary benefit is the fresh and healthy food. But the market will also be a place where people meet and get to know each other." An additional benefit of the Tuxedo Farmers' Market will be the preservation of open space in Orange and surrounding counties. "By supporting local farmers, the Tuxedo Farmers' Market will help keep our area farms in business," said Sue D'Attolico, owner of D'Attolico Farm in Pine Island, member of Tuxedo Farmers' Market steering committee and a vendor at the market. "If area farms stay in business, there will be more open space in our communities." Expected market vendors are: Auntie El's (flowers); Baker's Bounty (bread, baked goods); D'Attolico Farm (vegetables); Dines Farms (chicken, sausages, eggs); Farmer's Daughter (prepared foods from the market); Glowaczewski Farm (vegetables); High Meadow Farm (flowers); Pennings Farm (fruit); Pickleicious (pickles); Pontano Farms (vegetables); and Renee's Kitchen (chutney, marinara sauce). In addition to the farm vendors, market organizers are planning community-oriented programming and events. Invitations will be extended to local musicians and bands to perform, as well as to local chefs, who could teach customers how to prepare dishes made from items purchased at the market. A "Kid's Corner" is also planned, which would offer storytelling, educational talks by local farmers, and other activities. A "Kick-Off" benefit event for the Tuxedo Farmers' Market is scheduled for Saturday, May 21, 6:30 p.m., at McMullen's Tavern in Tuxedo. The $30 per person cost of tickets covers 3 hours open bar, light refreshments, including samples from market vendors, and live music. R.S.V.P. to Kerri Cavada: 351-4512. If you can't attend but would like to support the Tuxedo Farmers' Market, send your contribution to Tuxedo Farmers' Market, P.O. Box 474, Tuxedo, N.Y. 10987.