Nutrition | Rockland County, NY

Nutrition

Farmers' Markets

Why Shop at Farmers' Markets?

You can't get fresher produce - unless you grow it yourself!
Seasonal picks - expect to find Northeast specialties such as apples, corn, and tomatoes.
Help the environment - less packaging, refrigeration, and fuel is needed to transport locally grown produce.
Support local farmers - purchasing local produce sustains agriculture and helps local farmers.
More variety and unique flavors that may not always be available at the supermarket.

Outdoor Markets

Farm stand

Cropsey Community Farm Stand

Thursdays & Fridays, 10:00 am– 6:00 pm
Saturdays, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
May 16th through November 30th
Location: 220 S. Little Tor Road, New City
Bus Routes: TOR #91; Clarkstown Mini Trans Route B
FMNP accepted
FreshConnect Checks accepted

Haverstraw Farmers' Market

Sundays, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
June 16th through November 3rd
Location: 40 New Main St., lot corner of Maple Ave., Haverstraw
Bus Routes: TOR #91; Coach USA #11A
FMNP accepted
FreshConnect Checks accepted

J&D Perez Farm Stand Spring Valley

Wednesdays, 10:30 am - 4:30 pm
June 26th through November 6th
Location: Finkelstein Memorial Library
24 Chestnut Street, Spring Valley
Bus Routes: TOR 59
FMNP accepted
FreshConnect Checks accepted

Perez Farm Stand Monsey

Sundays, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
June 16th through November 10th
Location: Front lawn of 40 Robert Pitt Drive, Monsey
Bus Route: TOR 59, Loop # 1 and 2
FMNP, SNAP (EBT), and FreshConnect Checks accepted

Nyack Farmers' Market

Thursdays, 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Year Round- Free parking in selected spots until 2pm
Location: Municipal Parking Lot, Main Street, Nyack
Bus Routes: TOR #59, #91, #92;
Coach USA #9 and 9A; Hudson Link HO7, HO5
FMNP, FreshConnect Checks, SNAP (EBT), debit, and credit cards accepted by some vendors
www.nyackchamber.org/nyack-farmers-market

Pearl River Farmers' Market

Saturdays, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, through November 23rd
Location: Central Ave. Field
Bus Routes: TOR 93

Piermont Farmers' Market

Sundays, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Year Round
Location: 25 Flywheel Park, Piermont
Bus Route: Coach USA #9A

Indoor Markets

Information to come in January 2025

More Information

For information on Senior Coupon eligibility, call the Office for the Aging at (845) 364-2100.
New York State Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)
To find out if you are eligible for WIC (Women, Infants and Children), call (845) 364-2577.
Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program (SNAP) and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)
Fresh Connect Program Checks (FCC)
For bus schedules, visit the Public Transportation page or call (845) 364-3333.
New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets: Features state and county fair schedules, farmers market directory, agritourism information, and department news and programs.
Map of Farmers' Markets in New York State.
Rockland County Farmer's Market 2024 Brochure

Food Insecurity

Presentations

Sugar-sweetened Beverages

Don't Drink Yourself Fat!

Americans consume 200 to 300 more calories each day than we did 30 years ago. Nearly half of these extra calories come from sugar-sweetened beverages. Sugar in sweetened drinks contains extra calories you don't need! For example, a 20-ounce bottle of soda has 16 packets of sugar! The extra calories can lead to obesity and diabetes. Sugar is also bad for your teeth. It causes cavities in kids and adults.

Re-think Your Drink! Follow These Tips

Drink plenty of water. Nothing quenches thirst better than water. Water is naturally sugar-free and calorie-free. If you crave fizz, try seltzer.

Choose fat-free or 1% milk.
Fat-free and 1% milk have all the protein, calcium, vitamins and other nutrients of whole milk, with fewer calories and less fat. Unlike sugary drinks, milk is good for your bones! Almost everyone over age 2 should drink fat-free or 1% instead of whole milk. If you prefer soy milk, choose low-fat, light or unflavored.

Switch from juice to whole fruit.
Most kids get too much juice and too little fruit. Fruit juice isn't as healthful as most people think. It's loaded with calories. Whole fruit has fewer calories, and unlike juice, it has fiber. Fiber helps keep you healthy. It also helps you feel full. Don't waste money on punch and fruit-flavored drinks. These are just flavored sugar water.

Skip sports drinks and "energy" drinks.
Though some athletes need these drinks, most are high in sugar and low in nutrients, and energy drinks are loaded with caffeine. For most people, water is all you need to stay hydrated, even while exercising.

Watch out for coffee and tea drinks and shakes.
Check calories on the menu boards. You'll probably be surprised by how many calories are in popular drinks. If you drink coffee or tea, order it plain (practically calorie-free) and lightly flavor it yourself.

Downsize!
If you do have a sugar-sweetened drink, cut calories and save money by ordering a "small" instead of a "large." Cut portion sizes by using small, 6-ounce glasses.

Resources

New York State Department of Health Sugar Sweetened Beverage and Healthy Beverage Media Campaign
The New York State Department of Health has two media campaigns underway to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption statewide – the Sugar Sweetened Beverage (SSB) Campaign and the Healthy Beverage Campaign. Both campaigns were developed to promote drinking water as a healthy alternative. Sugary drinks are leading sources of added sugars in the American diet. Drinking sugary beverages regularly can lead to obesity, tooth decay, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.

Video Ads from the New York State Department of Health:

More Information

Contact us for more information about creating a sugar-sweetened beverage reduction policy at your workplace, school, community or faith-based organization, and for program materials.
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene "Choosing Healthy Beverages"