Deep Roots Farmers Market celebrates 10 years

Deep Roots Farmers Market, founded by Glen Cove resident Amy Peters, is a vibrant community hub, drawing visitors and vendors from across Long Island. The market, founded by Peters in 2014, began in the quaint village of Sea Cliff before moving to Glen Cove in 2020 to accommodate its growing popularity.

This year, the market features around 30 vendors, offering a diverse array of goods. Peters explains that the market has a strong local focus, with many vendors hailing from nearby towns like Glen Head, Sea Cliff, Oyster Bay, and Glen Cove. However, it also attracts vendors from further afield, often those who operate out of shared commercial kitchen spaces in places like Farmingdale and Amityville.

Peters’ journey into the farmers market world began long before she founded Deep Roots. With a background in the health food industry, she has always been passionate about local, health-conscious food. Her involvement in Slow Food USA, an organization promoting good, clean, and fair food, spans over two decades. This deep-rooted commitment to sustainable and ethical food production inspired her to create a market that embodies these values.

“I’ve always tried to be very conscientious about where I get my food from,” Peters shares. “Starting the farmers market was a way to bring that to my community and educate others about the benefits of shopping local.”

The market’s relocation to Glen Cove in 2020 marked a significant expansion. Initially held in the pickle factory parking lot, it soon moved to a more spacious location at Garvies Point Park, offering a picturesque setting next to the beacon. Despite this growth, Peters notes that the market faces challenges in maintaining foot traffic, a problem exacerbated by the proliferation of new farmers markets across Long Island.

Nevertheless, Deep Roots has earned a loyal following and has been recognized for its excellence, winning the Long Island Choice Awards for three consecutive years.

Among the standout vendors are Oregon Road Organic, bringing beautiful produce from Cutchogue, Horman’s Pickles, a staple at many Long Island markets and Conscious kitchen, owned by Sea Cliff resident Michael Schoudel.

Peters is particularly proud of the market’s atmosphere. “What really makes it great are the vendors and the customers,” she says. “Our vendors love the market because of the attention to detail and the supportive community.”

In addition to the Glen Cove market, Peters manages a smaller Sunday market in Great Neck, further extending her commitment to bringing local, healthy food to Long Island communities.

For more information, visit the Deep Roots Farmers Market at Garvies Point Park every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., now through October.