Most of us want to have ready access to healthy and affordable food, but for some residents in Kingston this not a reality. According to information collected in the 2016 Community Health Survey that polled more than 500 Ulster County residents, 14.4% of respondents reported struggling for food access. In answer to the question “What three things would be most helpful to improve your health concerns?”, 34% said they need affordable and healthier food.
With this in mind we wanted to provide some information on just that: affordable (sometimes free!) and healthy food, specifically, fresh produce available right here in Kingston.
The produce may be super local, grown right in Kingston, or come from the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, sourcing from large food distributors. For a day-by-day list of where to get fresh, affordable vegetables in Kingston, check out this list:
Monday
- South Pine Street City Farm Open 3 PM -7 PM through September and 3-6 PM into November (weather permitting). Pay what you can for organically grown vegetables. 27 South Pine St.
Tuesday
- People’s Place Free Farm Stand Open 9 AM-11 AM or until vegetables run out. Runs through October. Free vegetables and information from community agencies. 17 St. James St.
- YMCA Bicycle Powered Mobile Farm Stand The YMCA Farm Project grows organic vegetables on land behind the YMCA. On Tuesdays they take vegetables on the road. Find them at the locations below. SNAP, WIC, FMNP, cash, checks, and debit cards accepted.
- 3 PM-4 PM at the HealthAlliance, alternating weeks Broadway Campus and Mary’s Avenue Campus
- 4:30 PM-6PM at the Kingston Public Library. 55 Franklin St.
Wednesday
- South Pine Street City Farm Open 3 PM -7 PM through September and 3-6 PM into November (weather permitting). Pay what you can for organically grown vegetables. 27 South Pine St.
Thursday
- Community Action Free Farm Stand Open 10 AM-1 PM every other Thursday through December. Free vegetables through the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley. 70 Lindsley Ave.
- YMCA Farm Project Open 3:30 PM-6 PM in the lobby of the YMCA until October 26. The YMCA Farm Project grows organic vegetables on land behind the YMCA. SNAP, WIC, FMNP, cash, checks, and debit cards accepted. 507 Broadway.
Friday
- South Pine Street City Farm: open 3 PM -7 PM through September and 3-6 PM into November (weather permitting). Pay what you can for organically grown vegetables. 27 South Pine St.
Many of the food pantries in Kingston and Ulster County give fresh vegetables, especially during the growing season. Find your closest food pantry here. Do you know of another place to get low-cost or free fruits or vegetables in Kingston? Let us know!
Post written by Laurie Mozian, RD
Eat Well Kingston Co-Chair
