Gioia Opens Greenmarket In Sunnyside Playground

City Councilmember Eric Gioia cut the ceremonial ribbon to open a new greenmarket at Torney Playground on Skillman Avenue in Sunnyside on July 7. Gioia requested that the Council on the Environment of New York City create the open-air greenmarket in Sunnyside and worked with the organization to choose an appropriate location in the neighborhood. The Sunnyside greenmarket will provide locally grown produce to the surrounding communities on Saturdays from July through November.

"This is a valuable addition to our borough and our neighborhood," Gioia, who grew up in Sunnyside and represents the neighborhood along with Woodside, Long Island City, Astoria, and Maspeth in the city council, said. "This project enhances the quality of life for the surrounding neighborhood by providing fresh fruits and vegetables. Sunnyside is already a great place to live, work and raise a family. The Sunnyside Greenmarket will add to the health and welfare of the community."

This is only the fifth greenmarket to be opened in the borough of Queens. Overall there are 44 greenmarkets located throughout New York City, the majority of which are located in Manhattan. Greenmarkets are organized and operated by the Council on the Environment of New York City, a privately funded citizens' organization in the Mayor's Office. Greenmarkets have been functioning in New York City since 1976. Almost 200 local farmers and fishers from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut participate in the markets and sell the various sundries they grow, raise, catch and bake.

The Council on the Environment of New York City is committed to conserving farmland and promoting environmentally sustainable production methods through the greenmarkets. They also run education programs to teach urban youth how to eat more healthily. Any unsold produce from the markets is donated to feed the hungry in New York City. In 2005 Greenmarket farmers and bakers donated over 300,000 pounds of food to City Harvest.