East End Food is temporarily relocating its farmers market to a Riverhead brewery for the winter season while renovations continue on its indoor market on Main Road.
The indoor farmers market will be held at Twin Fork Beer Co., located at 807 Raynor Avenue, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday beginning Jan. 13 until March 30, according to a press release from the organization.
Renovations to East End Food’s farmers market at 139 Main Road, a part of a larger project to make the building into a “food hub” that includes a commercial kitchen, have been underway since June. The organization faces its final leg of fundraising to complete its first phase of renovations, which would allow it to reopen its indoor farmers market. The organization is looking for donations to fund a $120,000 water main extension to the building, which will allow it to obtain a certificate of occupancy, the organization said in a press release.
“We are so close to realizing our vision of a vibrant, community-driven space that not only addresses food insecurity but also supports local farmers and food producers,” Kate Fullam, East End Food’s executive director said in a press release. “The generosity of our community has brought us this far, and we are hopeful that they will rally behind us once again to help us secure the remaining funds.”
East End Food has raised nearly $1.5 million in donations, grants and sponsorships to fund the $3 million project so far, East End Food said in a press release. Those interested in donating can go to East End Food’s website for more details.
East End Food, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Southampton, took over operation of the Riverhead Indoor Farmers Market — an initiative of the Riverhead Business Improvement District Management Association — in 2019. The organization in 2021 moved the market to the four-acre former Homeside Florist & Greenhouses site on the southwest corner of Main Road and Cross River Drive. The organization’s goal is to purchase the property and build out a campus-style food hub in Riverhead to serve the region and sustain local farming and food businesses, which the organization has said could cost $15 million to $20 million.
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