Friday Market in Dobbs Boasts New Vendors, Fresh Produce

By the afternoon of June 3 the Dobbs Ferry farmers market was in full swing. It was the first day of the season and locals were thrilled to be shopping outside. 

Vendors chatted happily with their customers and told them about the local foods. The warm air and cool breeze carried the smells of wine, fresh herbs and flowers, pickles, and fresh breads. The market features:

M&M Italian Provisions, also known as Mike the Cheese Guy, has homemade sausages and sopressata, breads from Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, cheeses from Italy, and ravioli from 18th Avenue in the Bronx.

It is their first year at the Dobbs Ferry farmers market. Vendor Mitch Mercurio said, “If left alone, I’d eat everything.” M&M is named Mike the Cheese Guy after Mercurio’s late cousin Mike who used to go to all the farmers markets. Mercurio said he sold only have top-of-the-line products. For example, Parmigiano Reggiano has three grades—M&M only carries the top grade.

Nancy Chiocci of Westchester Greenhouses and Farms told us that, “strawberries, raspberries, and vegetables are very fresh and in season.” Westchester Greenhouses and Farms were also at the market last year.

Pickles, Olives, Etc. is another returning vendor. The company has been around for seven years and carries pickles for everyone—crunchy, sour, salty, and more. Bobby Amac said, “[half sour] pickles are my favorite.”

Robibero Family Vineyards carries seven red and seven white wines all made from local, New York grapes. The vineyard is a family-run business and Carol Robibero states, “it’s a fun business.”

“The interaction with people is the most enjoyable part [of the business] for me,” says Robibero. There are free wine tastings for anyone wanting to sample their New York state wines.

Next week the farmers market will have one more new vendor. The market is open every Friday on Cedar Street in Dobbs Ferry from 10 a.m. to 4  p.m. through the fall.