Success of Rye Farmer's Markets Helps Vendors Donate to Food Pantry

Nobody likes to see a crate of farm fresh produce go unloved. To make sure it doesn’t happen at Rye’s Down to Earth Farmers Market, some of the vendors now welcome the Bread of Life Food Pantry at market close. They are pleased to donate their unsold breads and produce to feed the hungry. Bread of Life then transforms the donated foods into freshly cooked meals that they serve out of fourteen shelters across the Sound Shore and surrounding region.

“Our vendors at the market are happy to be a part of the community. The shoppers in Rye have supported their farmers market for a long time, the market has grown, and now it’s great to be able to give to those in need,” said Frankie Rowland, Director, Community Relations and Marketing, Down to Earth Markets. Down to Earth Markets started the Rye Farmers Market in 2004.

Now in its 10th season, the year-round market has 14 full-season vendors and a regular roster of day vendors. They sell seasonal produce, pasture-raised meat and poultry, cheeses, breads and baked goods, locally-roasted coffees and nuts, pickles, prepared foods to go, and much more. The market is held every Sunday, from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm, in the parking lot behind the Purchase Street stores, and hosted by the Rye Merchants Association. 

Pastor Pasquale Falco and his wife, Sherri Falco, of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ started the Bread of Life Food Pantry, based at the church, in early 2013. It began with a merchant’s donation of 300 bagels in Harrison, NY. Now only eight months later, it’s expanding in its mission to feed the poor through numerous food donations. 

“Our shelters serve approximately 500 meals a day to men, women, and families -- often people who are recovering from abuse. Now with the farmers market donations, we can make them nice, healthy meals. They appreciate it immensely,” said Pastor Pasquale.  

Down to Earth Farmers Markets is a mission-driven company that curates and manages approximately twenty farmers markets in and around New York City. We believe that seasonal, local food is a vital part of our heritage that ensures the health of our communities and environment.