The community of Flanders, on Route 24 between Riverhead and Hampton Bays, is actually part of the town of Southampton. Hundreds (if not thousands) of East Enders drive through Flanders everyday on their way from one Fork to the other. It’s best known for the “Big Duck” – not for its retail stores or farm stands.
For decades Flanders has been considered to be a “food desert,” where access to supermarkets, let alone fresh local food, has been available only to people who can drive to a neighboring town.
One of Slow Food East End’s big initiatives this year is promoting and supporting access to good, clean, fair food. Our support of the Flanders Farm Fresh Market will help bring access to fresh produce and goods to a community-wide food dessert. Involvement of organizations like Slow Food is critical to the success of the market – and to its future.
Beth Young, market manager, is looking for help from the Slow Food community. Beth is planning a series of special events beginning with opening day on June 29, running through the market close in mid-October. The market is looking for speakers on food and gardening, musicians and educators who would be willing to donate their expertise, for an hour or for a market day (10:00 am to 2:00 pm) to help make this market a lively center in the Flanders community.
Caroline Doctorow, well-known East End folk singer and songwriter, will be the opening entertainment on Saturday, June 29.
If you are interested in volunteering or participating in other ways, please contact Beth Young at eebeacon@gmail.com.
