Freeport’s farmers market opening at two locations

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Stepping into its sixth year, the Freeport Farmers Market will open at two locations through the summer months and extending into late October. Ran exclusively by Freeport youth from Freeport High School and a part of the Cedarmore Corporation’s Young Entrepreneurs Training Program, the market officially opened last Saturday at its new location at 314 Woodcleft Avenue on the Nautical Mile. Starting next Saturday, the Freeport Recreation Center at 130 East Merrick Rd. will be the second location of the Farmers Market.

Participating for a second year, rising senior, Christopher Marino said he continues to participate in the market to take advantage of the opportunity to help people in the community by providing fresh produce. The students participating in the program all share the same sentiments as Marino, but it was their commitment to their neighbors that fascinated them most.

“I love what I do – helping the customers. I’m learning about entrepreneurship and I can add this to my resume,” said rising senior, Erica Villalobos. “I am able to interact with different cultures and races through this. I think this will help me get a part-time job while in college because I have experience as a cashier now.”

Committed to selling produce every Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. the teens have taken it upon themselves to provide more than just fresh fruits and vegetables to the community and prepared a line up of weekly family friendly activities for all. The events, different at each location, will include an appearance of Hot 97 FM’s street team multimedia personality, TT Torrez; in addition to performances by Voices of Virtue, a drums workshop by Vera Trenchfield, a nutrition workshop by Cornell Cooperative along with a kid’s corner with face painting and a bounce house, craft artisan and baked goods vendors.

The role of the Farmers Market allows the teenagers to learn entrepreneur skills, while learning how to operate a Department of Agriculture complaint business. The youngsters are paid an hourly wage through the nonprofit, Cedarmore Corporation.