National Farmers Market Week Begins at Eisenhower Park

National Farmers Market Week 2026 officially runs from August 2–8, but we got started a day early at the CCE Farmers Market in Eisenhower Park. Since we’re not open on Sundays, none of us wanted to wait until the end of the week to celebrate the people who make local farmers markets possible.

The annual celebration is coordinated by the Farmers Market Coalition, whose work supports and celebrates the farmers, bakers, artisans, educators, volunteers, musicians, and small businesses that make local markets thrive across the United States.

In Nassau County, there are at least a dozen farmers markets, and over the past fifteen years I’ve participated in many of them. Every market has its own personality, but Eisenhower Park has become my favorite. If you’ve ever wondered why, you can read A Real Farmers Market at Eisenhower Park for a few of the reasons it’s the only market I currently attend.

Saturday turned out to be quieter than usual. While the beautiful weather brought plenty of people to Eisenhower Park, fewer people wandered through the market than many of us expected. Sometimes, though, a slower morning creates opportunities that a busy one doesn’t.

Instead of rushing from customer to customer, many of us had something we rarely have enough time for…

Conversations.

The Faces Behind the Market

There’s never a good time to get all the vendors together at a farmers market. In the morning we’re busy setting up. Once the market opens, we’re all behind our tables. By the end of the day we’re more than ready to pack up and head home.

But yesterday was different.

The kickoff to National Farmers Market Week turned out to be one of the quietest markets of the season. Instead of watching the clock, many of us found ourselves walking around, catching up with fellow vendors, and even attempting a group photo in front of the Schneider’s Farm truck.

Schneider’s Farm has been farming on Long Island for more than seventy years. They operate their own farm stand, host the Farmingdale Farmers Market on Sundays, and have become one of the anchors of the Eisenhower Park market. Every Saturday they bring fresh seasonal produce and beautiful plants that help make the market what it is.

Naturally, the moment everyone stepped away from their tables…

Customers started arriving.

Murphy’s Law is alive and well at the farmers market.

Not everyone made it into the picture, but together these vendors are what make our Saturday mornings special.

Around the Market

What do you do at work when there isn’t much to do?

You talk.

We always start with the weather. It’s hot. It’s windy. It’s cold.

Then the conversations take on a life of their own.

Sometimes they’re funny.

Sometimes they’re educational.

Sometimes they’re unforgettable.

Backyard Bees

At Backyard Bees, I spent the morning offering two interactive Milk & Honey Facial demonstrations. Attendance was small—just four participants across two sessions—but that turned out to be a blessing.

Instead of rushing through the demonstrations, everyone had time to ask questions, mix ingredients, and learn why honey has been treasured in skincare for thousands of years.

Sometimes smaller groups make for better conversations.

Celebrating Good News

My immediate neighbors are Two Brothers Farm and Wheatley Farms. We always help each other with our tents, admire each other’s displays, and catch up on farmers market life.

This week, Ana, another beekeeper who works at Wheatley Farms, had exciting news to share.

She recently accepted a position at Cornell Cooperative Extension’s East Meadow Farm while continuing to work Saturdays with Wheatley Farms.

Congratulations, Ana!

A Lesson in Zucchini

On my other side, I got a little nosy when I spotted a basket of striped zucchini.

I wandered into a conversation about how to tell when a zucchini is ripe and ended up asking Jayson to explain it while I filmed.

He cut open a large zucchini and talked about the seeds, showing exactly how gardeners can tell when they’ve waited a little too long to harvest.

Several people gathered to watch.

Unfortunately…

I forgot to press Record.

It perfectly captured what National Farmers Market Week is all about—a quick lesson from the person who actually grew the food.

Next time, Jayson. I promise.

Beautiful Dahlias and Their Story

The volunteers from the Mid Island Dahlia Society once again created a beautiful display of fresh-cut dahlias.

I learned that the society was founded in the 1940s as a peaceful hobby and therapeutic activity following World War II.

Even on a quiet day, they were eager to answer questions and share their love of one of summer’s most spectacular flowers.

It’s just a shame more people didn’t take home those gorgeous bouquets.

New Businesses Worth Visiting

Across the field, Double Batch remains one of my son’s favorite stops. He’s helped me at the market before, but he always seems to wander over to visit bakers Alexis and Nicole.

If you’ve never tried their cookies…

Maybe you should.

Lovely Bakes It!, one of our newest vendors, has recently started sharing their creations on Instagram. If you’d like to encourage a local baker just getting started, give them a follow at @lovelybakesit.

Every business starts somewhere.

Right next door, T & J Home Baked Goods had mostly sold through their breads by late morning. In fact, all that was left was a menu! Even on a quiet Saturday, they sold out.

That’s where I discovered a Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Focaccia that immediately caught my attention.

Not every specialty bread makes it to the market each week. Some artisan loaves and focaccia are available by preorder, making their menu worth a look before Saturday.

More Than Shopping

One of my favorite parts of this market has nothing to do with buying food.

The CCE Master Gardeners are an incredible resource. You can ask them just about anything about your garden, and if they don’t know the answer, they’ll find it. They always have seasonal gardening tips, recipes, and educational information to share.

Right now they’re promoting an upcoming cut flower garden workshop. If you attend, tell them the Queen Bee sent you. 😊

Each week we’re also fortunate to have an amazing group of youth volunteers. They help set up the market, put out banners, welcome visitors, and organize a children’s activity area complete with jump ropes, hula hoops, coloring stations, and family activities.

How many farmers markets can say they have that?

It’s another reminder that this market is about building community just as much as selling produce.

Music Makes the Morning Better

Every Saturday has its own soundtrack, thanks to Gary.

Some mornings it’s folk music. Other mornings it’s songs that have vendors singing along while they work.

You don’t always realize how much music adds to the atmosphere until you imagine the morning without it.

Last year, several vendors couldn’t resist singing along whenever he played “Being a Pirate.”

Maybe make a request next Saturday.

Sustainability in Action

Obviously, my customers are the best. 😊

John arrived carrying a collection of empty Backyard Bees honey jars while wearing a bright honey-colored T-shirt.

He absolutely made my day.

By the end of the morning, customers had returned eight jars for reuse.

Those little moments remind me that sustainability isn’t just something we talk about.

People are actually participating.

And Then… There Were Ducks

Just when the morning needed a little excitement…

Two adorable pet ducks wandered across the grass, happily quacking their way through the market.

Nobody expected them.

Everybody smiled.

Looking Ahead

One article could never capture everyone who makes this market special.

This week I happened to spend time talking with Schneider’s Farm, Wheatley Farms, Two Brothers Farm, the Mid Island Dahlia Society, Double Batch, Lovely Bakes It!, T & J Home Baked Goods, the CCE Master Gardeners, our incredible youth volunteers, Gary, and so many wonderful Backyard Bees customers.

But every Saturday also includes familiar faces like LB Hemp, Taste NY, and Moola Farms, along with vendors who rotate throughout the season, including favorites like Pam’s Jamz and Loretta’s Sweets. That’s part of what keeps every market a little different from the last.

National Farmers Market Week isn’t really about celebrating one busy Saturday.

It’s about celebrating the people who show up every week—the farmers harvesting before sunrise, the bakers who start long before dawn, the volunteers setting up signs, the musicians creating the soundtrack, the educators sharing their knowledge, and the customers who choose to support local businesses.

The tomatoes will keep ripening.

The flowers will continue blooming.

The bread will probably sell out.

Backyard Bees will continue celebrating honey bees throughout August with demonstrations, conversations, and interactive activities.

Some Saturdays are packed.

Others are wonderfully quiet.

That’s what National Farmers Market Week celebrates.

Continue Exploring

A Real Farmers Market at Eisenhower Park what makes the farmers market at Eisenhower park so special to me; find links to all the market reports here

Sustainability Saturday last week’s market report