Farms and Markets on the North Fork
Your best picks for local fruits, veggies & more.
Lavender by the Bay in East Marion, NY
Famous for its dozens of vineyards and family-owned farms, the North Fork is located on the northern coast or ‘fork’ of eastern Long Island, stretching from Wading River to Orient Point, where you can take the ferry to New London, CT.
When it comes to dining out and food culture, the best time to visit is between June and November. Local, sweet strawberries are abundant at all of the local markets with corn, watermelon, peaches, and raspberries to follow.
Browder's Birds shop
A farm that is always top on my list include Browder’s Birds in Mattituck where you could visit the farm, including their sheep, ducks, and many chickens, and purchase fresh eggs by the dozen, and several local goodies at their stand that is open on the weekends usually until 5pm. I love to pick up some cartons of eggs, their creamed honey, and be sure to ask about their ‘minty moon pies’ and mini chicken pot pies both of which are my most favorite. Also, Sang Lee Farms for their fresh, Asian inspired produce and Catapano Dairy Farm for the best goat cheese around. At Catapano, ask about their lavender honey goat cheese.
Catapano Dairy Farm's Cheese Shop
Create sensational local cheese pairings at Macari Vineyards or Raphael Vineyards, two of my favorites on the North Fork though you can’t go wrong with any of them. The best times to visit the wineries are early summer and September when the sunflowers are in full bloom.
Catapano Dairy Farm
Speaking of Lavender, stop by Lavender by the Bay in the summer, especially in mid-July, when the blooming lavender is at its peak. Purchase fresh bundles of lavender for cooking and to add a fresh essence for the home. I love to make my lavender lemonade in the summer. I also recommend their lavandin essential oil for mosquito bites.
Seafood is also a popular commodity with one of its most famous being the succulent and sweet Peconic Bay Scallops, which are only available in seafood markets and select restaurants from November-March. This season was hardly existent for the ‘East End gems’ as they were so scarce in the waters.