For The Freshest Produce In The Hamptons Try A Farmers Markets

Southampton - This summer when you are deciding what to cook for your weekend b-b-q get some inspiration from some of the frestest produce in the Hamptons at one of these farmers markets.

Every Saturday from 9 a.m to 1 p.m., the Westhampton Beach Farmers Market (85 Mill Road in the Village Municipal Parking Lot) hosts over 40 vendors, growers and producers providing an assortment of locally grown, caught and homemade items from cheese, eggs, fish, vegetables, honey, organic free-range chickens, duck breast cutlets, chocolates, fresh local mushrooms, cakes, wine, fudge, breads, gourmet items, soups, spice rubs, sauces, and herbs.

Pizza from the Hayground Farmers Market. (Courtesy Photo: www.facebook.com/haygroundschoolfarmersmarket)

The Southampton Village Farmers Market returns on June 3 and will run through October 7, 2012 at 25 Jobs Lane behind the Parrish Art Museum and the Main Street buildings. Shoppers can purchase local produce, flowers, breads, cheeses, pickles, and imported infused olive oils.

The Hayground School Farmers' Market (151 Mitchell Lane, Bridgehampton) is open every Friday from 3 to 6:30 p.m., starting May 25 through August 31, 2012.

The Hayground School Farmers' Market has added several new vendors this year including baked goods from Dolce Nirvana, Gabi's Artisanal Baked Goods, Fatass Fudge, Hamptons Cupcake Lounge, Joe & Liza's Homemade Ice Cream, Lorna's Nuts, Monty Breads, Pindar Vineyards, Polkadot Pound Cake and Posh Pies.

This year Fighting Chance, the Free Cancer Counseling Center Serving the East End, will be at the opening day of the Sag Harbor Farmers' Market. There will be an Opening Day Vine Cutting Ceremony to give appreciation to the Village of Sag Harbor and the Sag Harbor Chamber of Congress for their support of the market over the years.

Vendors offer a wide variety of locally grown vegetables as well as other delicious homemade and locally grown foods such as breads, baked goods, preserves, farm fresh eggs, grass-fed beef, ice cream from Joe & Liza's Organic Ice Cream, empanadas from Gula-Gula Empanada, wine from Grapes of Roth and Wolffer Estate Vineyards, raw honey from Bees' Needs, local fish from Merken Fisheries and The Seafood Shop and for your share of dairy products including artisanal cheeses, yogurt, butter, cow's milk (vat pasteurized) head to Mecox Bay Dairy and Goodale Farms.

The farmers' market will open to the public every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting on May 19 until October, 2012. The Sag Harbor Farmers Market is located on Bay Street, at the corner of Burke Street, in front of the Breakwater Yacht Club in Sag Harbor.

Hayground from balsam beans

The East Hampton Farmers Market kicks off its seventh season with seven new "locally grown" vendors and the return of many favorite local fruit and vegetable farmers, fishmongers, bakers and specialty foods.

New this year is Life is Grruff offering natural pet treats and Dolce Nirvana baking up sweet treats such as fruit pies, pie pops, their signature key lime pie and gluten-free specialties. The market will be open every Friday, May 25 through September 28, 2012 from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. The farmers market will happen rain or shine and is located at North Main Street in the Nick & Toni's restaurant parking lot.

The Route 27 Farmers Market will be open from 2 to 6 p.m Wednesdays starting June 7 through November 1, 2012.

Sponsored by the Montauk Chamber of Commerce, The Montauk Farmers Market starts June 14 and runs every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the green in Montauk. The Montauk Farmers Market will include several vendors such as Darcy's Delights offering assorted breads including pumpkin, banana, and lemon flavor. Stop by the Josephine's Feast booth for artisanally crafted sustainable preserves made with local fruits, spice rubs, and condiment and organic b-b-q sauce from and quench you thirst with flavored teas and lemonades from Sweet Tauk. New vendors this year include Goodale Farms offering dairy products and Pindar Vineyards.

On Saturdays take the ferry to Shelter Island for The Shelter Island Farmers Market (16 South Ferry Rd, RT 114, Shelter Island ) featuring produce from local farms as well as eggs, honey, jams and baked goods. The Shelter Island Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., staring June, 16 until September 22, 2012.