The popular restaurant ABC Kitchen just got a new spicy sister – ABC Cocina. As the name suggests, the new restaurant is a Spanish and Latin-inspired version of the popular restaurant where President Obama hosted dinners during his reelection campaign (ABC Kitchen). ABC Cocina opened its doors last week and is the culinary masterpiece of famed Chef Jean-Georges and restaurateur Phil Suarez. The restaurant taps into the farm-to-table movement, using the highest quality seafood, meats, and produce – enhanced by a wood burning grill – alongside house-made corn tortillas, slowly stewed heritage meats and rice. To book your table at ABC Cocina, make a reservation here.
Category Archives: Farmer’s Market
Starting to feel like Spring!
It is finally starting to feel like spring! The tulips are starting to poke through in the planters throughout the park and in the plazas. Anxious to be outside, swarms of people visited the Union Square Greenmarket today. Here’s to warmer weather!
Buy Local at the Greenmarket and Help Hurricane Sandy Victims
The organizers of the Union Square Greenmarket are helping those in need that suffered devastation from Hurricane Sandy. You can purchase local products at the greenmarket for those who have been affected by the storm at GrowNYC’s Market Information Tent. GrowNYC will make sure it reaches those in need. Visit grownyc.org to learn more.
Happy Columbus Day
It’s a sunny greenmarket day. Get out and enjoy it.
Comptroller Study Reveals Major Economic Impact of Greenmarkets
It’s no secret that Union Square is home to the oldest and largest greenmarket in New York City. Since our greenmarket was founded in 1976, it’s fantastic to see so many others have popped around the City. According to a new report (PDF) by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, New York City is home to 138 farmers’ markets. These markets are not only a boon to local residents and businesses, but also our regional farms and the greater local economy. The Comptroller’s report finds the value of direct-to-consumer sales in New York reached $362 million in 2009, up 57.4 percent since 2000.
“The Union Square Greenmarket has been a key component of the economic revitalization of the neighborhood and has contributed to the increasing pedestrian counts on the district,” said Jennifer Falk, executive director of the Union Square Partnership. “State Comptroller DiNapoli’s report supports what we experience every day in Union Square – the Greenmarket is vital to the local economy and our neighborhood.”
The Union Square Greenmarket operates on the north and west sides of Union Square Park on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Stop by this week and pick up something local and healthy. To gain the greatest locavore experience, taste what our restaurants can whip up using the fresh ingredients of the market at Harvest in the Square, the Union Square Partnership’s annual fundraiser for Union Square Park.
Harvest in the Square tickets are now on sale
We were so busy dancing about at Summer in the Square that we forgot how quickly Harvest in the Square was creeping up. Tickets went on sale on Sunday and we’ve already seen a tremendous response. Harvest is the original local food and wine event - dating back to 1995 before you even knew the words “locavore” and “foodie.” Yep, we are that ahead of our time. Harvest is also the one and only fundraiser for Union Square Park. All those blog posts about our crew cleaning and planting around the park are paid for with proceeds from this fantastic one-night event. And what a night it is! Meet the chefs from the hottest and most popular restaurants in the nabe and enjoy their signature dishes made from fresh farm produce from our very own Union Square Greenmarket. Book now, these tickets won’t be around long.
People find a break from the city with “Lavender by the Bay”
In midst of the hustle and bustle of Union Square, the scent of lavender can be found in the Greenmarket at the “Lavender by the Bay” stand. The company has lavender in all forms: fresh, dry, and even some that is tea brewing ready. So visit the Greenmarket on Monday and Fridays and take a bundle or a bag home so that the fresh outdoors is just a whiff or a sip away!
Mayor Unveils Greenmarket Program to Provide More Fresh Produce to Low-Income New Yorkers
Mayor Bloomberg and Council Speaker Quinn paid us a visit today at the Union Square Greenmarket to announce the expansion of Health Bucks program to farmers markets, citywide. Health Bucks are used to enhance food stamps, providing an extra $2 for every $5 spend on fresh fruits and vegetables purchased at greenmarkets like ours. Use of food stamps at the Union Square Greenmarket has soared in recent months, totally $151,813 in January of this year – up from a roughly $47,000 in 2010.
More information on the Mayor’s new program can be found here.
Union Square Greenmarket is on top of the world!
National Geographic just named Union Square as one of the top 10 greenmarkets WORLDWIDE. Yea we are! We beat out cities in Brazil, Chile, Finland, Italy, France, England, Singapore, and St.Lucia. We’re a tiny bit bummed that Canada was the only country to top us, but we’ll take our spot on the list. Watch out Toronto, we’re coming for you next year!
Photo of the Day: Sunstar above Union Square
Today’s Photo of the Day from the UnionSquareNY Flickr Group
