Welcome to the Fort Greene Farmers Market. Let us show you around. There are in-season stone fruits, snappy radishes, excellent Hudson Valley pork chops, union-approved sourdough loaves, delightful GF, DF treats, pickles made in Coney Island, Portuguese Egg Tarts, freshly brewed coffee, vintage clothes from a neighbor's closet, sunglasses, non-GMO pet treats, and raku-glazed mugs. And, what’s that over there? Free ring sizing and real estate tips? This is the new farmers market.
Not so long ago, the Fort Greene Farmers Market was an utterly charming, perfectly packed strip on Washington Pk. There was always a man who would slice even slivers of apples and peaches to try in all seasons, guilting you into getting a pound of your own. The She Wolf line was sure to be the longest, nearly wrapping onto Myrtle Ave. You had to get there early to secure a Polenta Pullman loaf. Raven and Boar sold silky pâté by the tiny mason jar. While the charm of these core vendors prevails, along Dekalb, slowly, and at first seemingly informally, more vendors have taken root, selling various goods that don’t come from the earth’s ground. The official sanctioning of the “Maker’s Market” along Dekalb, the original farmers market on Washington and an evolving section on Willoughby (see below) all together now, more closely resembles a small village.
On the north end, starting about two blocks up from where Willoughby intersects Washington, this newer section of the market begins to take shape. Here, every weekend racks of clothes replace parked cars and fresh-from-your-neighbor’s oven cinnamon rolls top folding tables. There’s an energy that makes you think people may actually pay for your secret recipe sourdough starter or that experimental ceramics project (they will). These blocks are labeled—unofficially and only by us—WilMar (Willoughby Market), where the hobbies, side hustles, or new kitchen enterprises, by and for neighbors, are put on display. It could be that Fort Greene draws in a particularly entrepreneurial crowd or that everyone thinks they have something worth selling, but we suspect it may indicate more exciting shifts in how city streets are used.
We chatted with friend of Circle Back, Arjun Narayen, founder of Raazi Tea, about the Fort Greene Farmers Market area, where for over a year Arjun has set up shop on Willoughby, peddling freshly brewed chai and some of the best sacheted tea we’ve gotten our hands on. For Arjun, the block is a staple of the community: “When you have something that's a ritual for so much of the neighborhood, it actually becomes a social experience too—folks get to catch up with their friends, and make new ones, all while getting their milk and eggs for the week.” Without trying, “WilMar” embodies the qualities of the highly sought-after, and increasingly rare, third space: informality, creativity, culture, and community with no invitation needed.
Arjun was kind enough to share some tea with Circle Back, which was promptly brewed into heat-combating iced tea, with Farmer’s Market peaches of course.
FORT GREENE COLD BREW TEA
Ingredients:
Raazi Indian Breakfast (or any blend from the Starter Bundle), water, glass pitcher, stone fruit (preferably from your local farmers market)Steps:
Combine cold water and tea at a ratio of 1 sachet tea/1 cup water
Steep in the fridge for 5+ hours
Toss tea bags and serve over ice topped with sliced stone fruit
TREASURE TROVE
Bags for the farmers market, from the essential to the extra.
The Market Wave Bag by Chan Luu is so bizarre it works
Nana Net Tote from Poppy Lissiman in a colorway that can only be described as ‘chocolate and strawberry ice cream’.
Rolling Tote Bag from Hulken is for extra large hauls
Boat & Tote, LL Bean is a timeless silhouette to carry you through all farmers market seasons.
The Woven Accessories by Underwater Weaving Studio are works of art, plus you can weave your own!
We’ve recommended June bags before, and the Market Tote stands the test of time
Great one!!!
WilMar™️ exclusive 🫖