Local Vendors on Display at Whole Foods' Farmers Market

Shoppers who step into Whole Foods in Lake Grove expecting to find fresh, organic produce to bring home to the family dinner table might be surprised to find fresh produce being sold by their neighbors.

Whole Foods hosts a bi-weekly featuring dozens of local farmers and artisans offering an array of vegetables, baked goods, ready-to-serve food, eco-friendly home products, teas and dog treats.

"People who haven't been to our store, they don't know we have farmers here. They think we are a regular supermarket," said Tim Williams, health eating specialist and store forager for Whole Foods.

Williams started the Lake Grove farmers market after seeing its popularity at other nearby Whole Food locations, and recognizing consumers' increasing demand for locally grown food.

"Farming is becoming more and more vogue because people want to know where their food is coming from," he said. "We've lost our connection with local food.”

Every other Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., tables in the Whole Foods café are carefully stacked to make space for local farmers and artisans to sell natural and organic products. There is no charge to the vendors.

Nicole Lawrence and Kathy Gerdes, co-owners of the Feel Good Café in St. James, took up vending in Whole Foods farmers market in March, offering samples of their 100 percent natural vegetable Edgy Burgers and side dishes.

“Since the beginning of this season in the market, it’s been awesome. We have nice customers,” Lawrence said, stating business has grown by leaps and bounds at the farmers market. 

The Feel Good Café is one of many vendors, in addition to Soap Lift from Smithtown, Gaia’s Essence from Middle Island and Go Cook Cookware, who have been so popular that the Lake Grove Whole Foods will begin stocking their products.

“Our burgers will be the first product line to be released, followed by the side salads being sold in the Grab ‘n Go section,” Lawrence said.

“Through our local program, we’re able to bring things into the store in small quantities,” Williams explained.

Gaia Essence’s hand-crafted line of teas and specialty spice blends without salt can be found stocked on Whole Foods shelves.

“We have been vending here for three months and it has made a significant difference in business,” said Farrah La Ronde-Hutchison, founder of Gaia’s Essence. “A company the caliber of Whole Foods being interested in a company like mine, it’s amazing.”

Once these local merchants’ goods are on Whole Food shelves, they leave the farmers markets to make room for new artisans to try their products out with a discerning customer base.

The merchants change week to week, but free tastings and samples create a lively locals farmers market that brings fresh produce to the suburbs.

Check out Whole Foods indoor farmers market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Patch will have updates on the latest vendors throughout the season.