In the summer of 1976, Greenmarket co-founders Barry Benepe and Bob Lewis saw three simultaneous crises facing New York City:
Lack of public community spaces in the city.
Abysmal quality of produce at the grocery store.
The accelerating disappearance of regional farmland.
They dreamed up a simple idea: Let’s bring back the farmers market to New York City!
Urban farmers markets were unheard of at the time, but 50 years ago this week, Barry and Bob were preparing to open the very first Greenmarket on 59th Street and Second Avenue. Unbeknownst the them their actions would forever alter how New Yorkers eat, cook, and shop for local produce.
Why it matters: Today GrowNYC operates 45 Greenmarkets across the city—the largest year-round farmers market network in the U.S.—and the urban farmers’ market phenomenon has taken the country by storm as eaters nationwide have rediscovered the extraordinary flavors of food grown nearby by small farmers and producers.
Keep reading to learn more about the history and ways you can join the celebrations! 
5 Ways to Celebrate 50 years of Greenmarket 
Explore Our History
If you’re feeling extra nostalgic this month, we invite you to dive into the past and through our archives and recent wins:
Hear the origin story directly from Greenmarket co-founder Bob Lewis in a 6-minute, April 2025 WNYC interview.
Read The Rebirth of Farmers Markets in New York City a self-published from 1978.
Watch this 4-minute historical video GrowNYC co-created with the late Barry Benepe in 2024.
Read recent press coverage on Greenmarkets 50th anniversary in Edible Manhattan and Grub Street.
Buy Your In Season Tickets
The anniversary year culminates with In Season on September 17, 2026 at The Glasshouse overlooking Bryant Park.
Don't miss out on an evening of celebration, community support, and philanthropy!
Buy your individual or group tickets and get ready for a night filled with farm-fresh delights, seasonal drinks, and so much more.
Limited time offer! We're releasing a limited number of discounted Gala tickets for guests under 35.
Buy In Season Tickets
What's next: We're curating a collection of experiences to auction that capture everything we're celebrating—food, farmers, sustainability, and New York City. You can bid even if you can’t make it to the gala. Online bidding opens soon, with more auction items to come!
Preview Auction Items
Share Your Greenmarket Story
Share your favorite market moments, unforgettable experiences, or expound on how the market has impacted you over the years. Your stories will help us honor this incredible community and the people who’ve made it so special.
How to submit your story: Stories told via voice memo, archival photography, seasonal food and farm-inspired poetry, letters, essays, and other collected Greenmarket ephemera are all welcome.
Share My Greenmarket Story
Visit Your Favorite Greenmarket
And the last but most important, make time to visit your favorite market and share it with us!
Wish us a happy birthday on social media this week by sharing your market moments, memories, meals, or favorite farmers.
Don’t forget to tag @grownycgreenmarket @grownyc for a chance to be featured on our pages.
Thank you for helping GrowNYC keep farmers farming! 
No comments:
Post a Comment