On the Farm: B.Y.O.B. Beginning, Corn for Labor Day and a Challenge

Customers continue to go "crazy for corn" at Crossroads Farm at Grossmann's in Malverne, which is going to be an even more popular item this weekend due to Labor Day barbecues.

The farm, which is owned by Nassau County and operated by the Nassau Land Trust, says it will do its best to keep up with the demand for the corn, which comes from a farm in Calverton.

This weekend the farm will be opened its normal hours (till 6 p.m. Friday, 9a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday and closed Monday).

They have a variety of organic produce grown right on the land in Malverne including garlic (Buy two, get one free!), eggplant, rainbow chard, string beans, peppers, beets, fennel, rose potatoes and different types of tomatoes, squash and cucumbers. They've also added edamame and carrots.

Farmer Bill Walsh said that he has limited supply of picked carrots at the moment, and others that should be ready to be harvested in a few days. He also planted a bunch yesterday, so much more will be coming in late October.

The farm continues to carry fresh crops grown on other Long Island farms too including peaches, plums, nectarines, melons, blackberries and three kinds of apples from Wickhams Fruit Farm in Cutchogue. There's also dark green lettuce from Deer Run Farm in Brookhaven, organic eggs from Riverhead and several types of specialty goat cheeses from Catapano Dairy Farm in Peconic.

You'll also see scattered throughout the displays honey from Kirkwood and gourmet potato chips, jams and spreads from the North Fork.

B.Y.O.B.

Starting Sept. 6, Crossroads will begin charging customers 10 cents for every plastic bag they use, including bags which grow corn, in an effort to encourage customers to bring their own reusable bags.

Take the Challenge

September also marks the start of the Locavore Challenge, a movement to encourage support of local, organic farming in New York. To learn more visit nylocavorechallenge.com

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