Suozzi Announces New Nassau County Farmer’s Market, Offering Fresh Local Produce

Healthy Nassau’ Initiative Helps Shoppers Make Healthful Food Choices, While Showcasing Local Farmers

Mineola, N.Y. – As part of his on-going Healthy Nassau campaign, Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi announced that – starting today – a new Farmer’s Market will operate every Tuesday during the summer on county-owned property in Garden City.

The Nassau County Attorney’s office and the County’s Department of Senior Citizen Affairs worked with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the Farmer’s Market Federation of New York and the Long Island Grower’s Market to create the Nassau County Farmer’s Market. It will be operated by the Long Island Grower’s Market in a section of the parking lot of 101 County Seat Drive every Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“I am excited that Nassau County will be home to this wonderful Farmer’s Market, giving our residents easy access to fresh local fruits, vegetables, jellies, juices and homemade baked foods,” Suozzi said. “It gives shoppers a chance to buy the freshest food, which hasn’t had to travel thousands of miles, and gives farmers a great place to sell their produce.”

About a half a dozen fresh-food vendors are expected to take part in the weekly market. To encourage seniors to take advantage of this healthy option, the County’s Department of Senior Citizen Affairs will distribute vouchers, provided
through a State program, to qualifying seniors to help them make purchases at the
market.

Healthy Nassau, Suozzi’s campaign to make Nassau the healthiest county in the nation, builds upon existing initiatives and adds new ones in order to sustain a healthy environment (focusing on air, land and water), while encouraging healthy living (tending to bodies, minds and spirits). Along with the new Farmer’s Market, Healthy Nassau initiatives include: seeking a state-authorized increased cigarette tax to discourage smoking; asking the Board of Health for a ban on trans fats and to include calorie counts on menus; working with other municipalities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; preserving the County’s remaining open space; operating an organic farm at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, and the “Biggest Loser” Weight-Off Competition for County workers.