{"id":274300,"date":"2026-06-22T19:05:09","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T19:05:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/274300\/"},"modified":"2026-06-22T19:05:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T19:05:09","slug":"st-mels-catholic-academy-introduces-farmers-market-to-flushing-whitestone-area-qns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/274300\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Mel\u2019s Catholic Academy introduces farmers market to Flushing-Whitestone area \u2013 QNS"},"content":{"rendered":"

St. Mel\u2019s Catholic Academy<\/a> launched its farmers market, a new initiative to bring fresh, locally sourced products to the Flushing<\/a>\u2013Whitestone<\/a> region, on Saturday, May 30. The market runs from 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday in the academy\u2019s schoolyard.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The farmers market was developed and brought to life through the collaboration of St. Mel\u2019s pastor Fr. Joseph Fonti and parishioner Roseann Rohrssen, who has extensive experience as a vendor and organizer at farmers markets.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cFor quite some time, I\u2019d been wanting to do a farmers market at St. Mel\u2019s. And [Roseann] was ecstatic with the idea,\u201d Fonti said. \u201cThat began the gestation of doing it and Roseann helped put it into action. She got us all the vendors.\u201d<\/p>\n

He continued, \u201cI really wanted to highlight the healthy choice of life and good health. We have about 18 vendors and I feel they are essential.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Rohrssen agreed. \u201cI feel that we have the best vendors.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

On June 20, during the fourth week of the farmers market, QNS spoke with the vendor lineup, many of whom are there every weekend.\n<\/p>\n

Meet the vendors<\/p>\n

Lavender Sprig Bake House<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

Britney Olsen, who came all the way from Riverhead, Long Island, brings her passion for baking into the farmers market. She sells a variety of homemade baked goods, including brookies, crumbcakes and brownies.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a nice place to spend the day and meet new people. And people like the treats,\u201d Olsen shared. Her most popular items are brookies and crumbcakes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Goodale Farms<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

Also hailing from Riverhead, Goodale Farms is a family-run business that specializes in fresh dairy, meat and produce. It is owned and operated by Hal Goodale, who said on his website that you can \u201ctaste the difference with Goodale Farms.\u201d<\/p>\n

Currently, they are selling their popular burrata and will begin offering their summer fruits soon.\n<\/p>\n

Horman\u2019s Best Pickles<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

Horman\u2019s Best Pickles is a family business that has been passed through the generations, Nicholas Horman shared. Now operating out of Glen Cove, they sell a variety of pickles, ranging from more standard varieties to unique flavors like jalape\u00f1o.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Horman prioritizes the freshness of his pickle offerings \u2014\u00a0 the business\u2019s slogan is even \u201cthink fresh.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Saha Guys<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

Saha Guys is a Brooklyn-based Middle Eastern business that operates in over 20 farmers markets in the New York-New Jersey area. They sell a variety of Mediterranean specialties, including hummus, yogurt and pita chips. They are most well-known for their spicy black bean hummus and signature garlic spread.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Yassine, the owner of Saha Guys, shared that he\u2019s \u201clooking forward to a great season in this neighborhood.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

La Gustosa Ravioli<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

Rohrssen, one of the architects of the St. Mel\u2019s farmers market, also has her own pasta and ravioli business. La Gustosa is a Best of Long Island winner, and they sell various homemade pastas and ravioli.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The classic cheese ravioli is a consistent bestseller, and limited-time flavors such as the lobster ravioli are also popular.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Rohrssen also has a neighboring table manned by high school student Adrian. There, she sells gluten-free options such as Terranut for those with allergies and other health concerns.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jessy\u2019s Empanadas<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

Everett Cruz sells Peruvian empanadas alongside sausages, green sauce and cookies on behalf of Jessy\u2019s Empanadas. The empanadas are baked rather than fried, offering a healthier alternative for shoppers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jessy\u2019s Empanadas offers a variety of unique fillings and flavors. Their beef and cheese empanada is their best seller, but Cruz\u2019s personal favorite is the buffalo chicken.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He emphasized that \u201ceveryone is always in a good mood\u201d at St. Mel\u2019s and that he is excited for the season ahead.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

American Pride Seafood<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

For those seeking fresh and locally sourced seafood, American Pride Seafood is a great option. They fish from the waters of Montauk to Cape Cod each week and were excited to bring their products to the Queens area.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tenzin Palden showcased their offerings, which include tuna, scallops and swordfish. He shared that the scallops are their most popular seafood and that, since it is sushi grade, it is simple to cook. \u201cYou can\u2019t mess it up,\u201d Palden joked.\u00a0<\/p>\n

SelesTeres<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

The St. Mel\u2019s farmers market does not only contain food products. SelesTeres offers handcrafted soaps, candles and other skincare products.\u00a0
\n\"\"<\/a>A variety of skincare products from SelesTeres. Photo by Alexandra Prettitore\n<\/p>\n

The owner, Nina, makes all the soaps and other products herself, and she keeps various skin conditions in mind when creating her skincare. <\/p>\n

\u201cI do keep in mind the certain issues that I, for example, might have with the skin. You have all this in mind and then the product appears,\u201d she explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n

She has a studio in Willets Point for pickup orders for those who cannot make it to the farmers market.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Crafty Paws<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

Whitestone locals Joe Viera and Laura Gavin work together at a local animal hospital and were inspired to start a crafting business as a shared hobby after work. \u201cAs coworkers, we enjoy company as friends, so that makes it easy,\u201d Viera explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n

They sell a variety of colorful products such as suncatchers, themed pens, ornaments and beaded tumblers. \u201cWe make something for everyone,\u201d Viera said.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Abundance Acres Farm<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

Chris Novak, also known as Farmer Chris, raises livestock in upstate New York using rotational grazing, which is a more sustainable farming method.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

He showed QNS his best-selling chicken, which is fresh every week. \u201cThis chicken was clucking on Thursday and it\u2019s right here at the farmers market on Saturday,\u201d Novak joked to emphasize the freshness of his poultry.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s few steps between the farm and here,\u201d he added.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Nolasco Farm<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

Located in Sussex County, New Jersey, Nolasco Farm opened in 2005 and continues to be family-run by Sergio Nolasco. He sells a wide variety of vegetables, flowers and herbs that are all grown on his farm.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Flowers from Nolasco Farms. Photo by Alexandra Prettitore<\/p>\n

\u201cWe enjoy this small market, very nice people,\u201d Nolasco said. He also noted that at this specific market, his Swiss chard is particularly popular.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sal & Jerry\u2019s Bakery<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

This West Babylon Italian bakery, which originated in Brooklyn, specializes in breads and other pastries. They have a large following in the farmers market sphere and are best known for their 18-ounce prosciutto bread.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Prosciutto bread from Sal & Jerry\u2019s bakery. Photo by Alexandra Prettitore<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of our breads are baked every morning, so they\u2019re fresh when they come out here. It\u2019s all fresh for this market,\u201d vendor Kevin shared.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Wilk Apiary\u00a0<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

Tom Wilk is a full-time master beekeeper and he produces all-natural honey and other honey-based products. He has 75 beehives throughout Queens, Manhattan and Long Island.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll of my local honeys are my more popular products. People like the idea that they\u2019re talking to the guy who took it out of the hives, put the label on crooked. Everything from hive to bottle I did,\u201d Wilk explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He is also excited for the season at St. Mel\u2019s farmers market. \u201cThis is the kind of vibe I like,\u201d he said.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Third Alarm Woodworks<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

Just in time for America 250 celebrations, Joseph Scotto sells custom USA-branded wood products, such as American flags, bottle openers and picture frames. He also makes sports-themed items in addition to his patriotic offerings.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He makes all his products by hand, from initial carvings to painting individual stars on the flags. \u201cIt\u2019s very hands-on and very dusty,\u201d Scotto said.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

The farmers market was filled with excited customers as well. One customer told QNS, \u201cIt\u2019s nice to have access to fresh food.\u201d Another agreed, adding that it is \u201ca great asset to the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

The St. Mel\u2019s farmers market will run until Oct. 10 and it is located at 154-24 26th Ave. in Flushing.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n