RoAnn M. Destito, New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner, today announced the start of the Empire State Plaza and Harriman Campus summer food vendor and farmers market programs. The farmers market will return outside on the Plaza on Wednesday, May 1, and food vendors will begin their summer schedule on Monday, May 6. At the Harriman Campus, food vendors will return on Wednesday, May 1, and the farmers market will be back, starting on Thursday, May 2.

Lunchtime Food Vendors

The outdoor lunchtime food vendor program runs five days a week, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the Plaza and at the Harriman Campus in the courtyard by buildings 4, 5, and 8. The vendors offer a diverse range of prepared foods to satisfy a variety of palates. New to the Plaza lunch program this year are:

• Having a Meltdown, serving specialty melts including chicken parmesan, buffalo chicken, and corned beef.
• Vashti’s Kitchen Delights, serving Caribbean-American fusion cuisine including Jamaican jerk chicken, oxtail, and more including vegan options.

Returning favorites also scheduled to be on the Plaza include Capital Q Smokehouse, DC’s Pizza & Catering, La Empanada Llama, Euro Delicacies, and DeFazio & Sons.

Employees and visitors at the Harriman Campus will see several familiar food vendors this year, including: Old Daley Inn, Vincent’s Catering, Miranda Enterprises, The Spud Shack, DC’s Pizza, Bombers, and The Hungry Traveler. Some of the vendors will be opening early to serve breakfast. Dolan’s Dogs will be returning to the Harriman Campus after a one-year hiatus, and will be serving hot dogs as well as kielbasa with sauerkraut and sausage and peppers.

Farmers Markets

The Empire State Plaza Farmers Market is held each Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This summer’s market will feature farmers and other vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, craft spirits, baked goods, honey, flowers, cold pressed juices, and much more.

The farmers market at the Harriman Campus will be held in the courtyard by buildings 4, 5, and 8 every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., starting on May 2. It will feature vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, flowers, and baked goods.

The Empire State Plaza Farmers Market is part of the New York State FreshConnect program, which is designed to meet the needs of communities by bringing fresh food to underserved areas, improving nutrition education, and helping create local jobs.

Craft Shows

The Empire State Plaza and Harriman Campus will also be hosting a series of summer handmade art and craft shows this year.

Craft shows on the concourse level of the Plaza will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 8-9, May 15-16, May 29-30, and June 12-13.

Craft shows at the Harriman Campus are scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the courtyard by buildings 4, 5, and 8 on the following Thursdays: May 23, June 20, July 25, August 22, and September 19. In the event of inclement weather, the craft shows will take place the following Friday, if possible.

For additional information on the Empire State Plaza and Harriman Campus lunchtime food vendor programs, farmers markets, and craft shows, contact the OGS Special Events Office at (518) 474-4759 or email vendors@empirestateplaza.ny.gov. 

To keep up to date on all programs and events at the Empire State Plaza, visit us online at www.empirestateplaza.ny.gov or follow us at Empire State Plaza Events on Facebook or @PlazaEvents on Twitter.