Visiting a local farmers market or a greenmarket is undoubtedly one of the best ways to experience the real pulse of a city’s daily life and get acquainted with its food culture and local flavors.

The City of New York has many such local markets which are scattered all over the city – some seasonal, some year-round, each offering a striking experience, promoting sustainable food chain, bringing people close to the local farmers’ community and more so, providing us with the healthy alternative to ready-to-eat prepacked supermarket fare.

Union Square Farmers market definitely tops my list of the farmers market in New York City.

This flagship Greenmarket, which opened for business in the year 1976 with just a handful of farmers, is now a bustling full-fledged farmers market with over 100 regional farmers including bakers, ranchers, fishers and florists selling their freshest locally grown produce and gourmet goodies to the city residents.

This popular farmer’s market is located in Union Square, a bustling neighborhood in Manhattan, New York City. Open year-round: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, this market offers the best of every season and is one of the largest and most popular shopping spots to stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, meats, honey, ciders, spirits, herbs including artisan specialties such as cheeses, baked products, jams and pickles and much more…

The market draws a diverse mix of shoppers and visitors – ranging from the city’s residents to international tourists to award-winning food writers and restaurateurs who flock to the Union Square Greenmarket for the best of farm-fresh local produce and gourmet products.

Visitors and shoppers can also watch live cooking demonstrations by some of New York’s celebrated chefs, get cooking tips, try out food samples, interact with farmers and producers and learn more about farming, farmsteads and farm products.

Beyond just shopping, the place provides a glimpse of a countryside ambiance amidst the bustling city of New York. It is one of those places you would definitely like to include in your travel itinerary when in the city.

Address: Union Square W &, E 17th St, New York, 10003