Here we grow again!

Can you believe this is our 24th opening day? 24! No matter how many times we've done this, the thrill of kicking off the summer season never gets old.

We love welcoming back farmers like Wright's Farm, Morgiewicz Produce and Stoneberry Farm who are not with us in the winter months. No doubt Sophie Morgiewicz. the matriarch of this multi-generational farm in the heart of black dirt country, will have pictures to share of her new great grandson. And Hunter and Connor will have loads to share about their new plot of land and the greenhouses they've been building through the winter months.

I can't wait to see their rosy radish bunches beautifully stacked as well as their butter lettuce heads and their delicate asparagus! This recipe for charred asparagus with dates, goat cheese and watermelon radish (Sun Sprout Farmhas plenty) aligns beautifully with our vendor lineup this week.

Opening day allows us to unveil some of our new vendors for the season. Ash Hopper Soap joins us for the first time this week and every first and third Saturday moving forward. We couldn't be more excited about their line of handcrafted soaps that are sustainably made with ingredients that are locally sourced by the nicest eco-conscious couple around. “Our soaps are expressions of our values and spirit,” say the Donnellys, based in Kingston. “May we inspire you to take action, follow your passion, and live with purpose.” Amen.

There will still be plenty of rhubarb at market this week, so you can make this terrific recipe for roasted rhubarb & strawberries in a sweet-savory glaze of maple syrup, sweet vermouth, balsamic vinegar, and a touch of sea salt. For younger palates, try these crowd-pleasing strawberry coconut ice pops instead.

Or, you could just buy some ice pops from Mom & Ice Pops, returning this week to the relief of anyone who has enjoyed one of their all natural, also locally-sourced small-batch seasonal pops (rhubarb & basil anyone?). I love how, on really hot days, Connor from Stoneberry buys pops for other vendors to help keep them cool.

Finally, we are so pleased to welcome Allee Manning, youth services librarian at the Hastings-on-Hudson Public Library for a monthly read & singalong. Allee will be here every first Saturday of the month (mark your calendars: June 4, July 2, August 6, September 3 and October 10) to read stories to your children all centered on a different theme which we'll announce before her visit so you can discuss with your kids. The opening-day theme will be “Farm Life.” We love Allee's enthusiasm for storytelling and also that her email signature lists what book she's reading at any given time all time and it's always changing. Story time will be from 10 to 10:30, just before the music starts.

Speaking of, because we are sticklers for tradition, our house band, Milton,will grace us with their presence as is always our wont on opening day. Please congratulate Milton on his recent nuptials.

Not to rock your world too much, but the knife sharpener will be here THIS SATURDAY instead of the THIRD Saturday this month because he's taking a mini-vacation that weekend. So bring your knives, pruning shears, quilting scissors and lawnmower blades for a little freshen up. And, did you get rid of lots of stuff when you brought out your summer clothes this year... the Green Tree Textile Recycling Bin is happy to make them disappear for you.

See you at the market! We are looking forward to a banner season with you all.