W. 79th St. Greenmarket

W. 79th St. Greenmarket has served the Upper West Side since 1983, bringing local farms and farmers to residents just behind the American Museum of Natural History on tree-lined Columbus Avenue. The market runs every Sunday year-round and focuses on locally grown and produced foods, with cooking demonstrations, educational programs, and family activities adding more than a quick shopping stop. It also sits inside GrowNYC’s broader nonprofit work in education, food access, agriculture, and green space across New York City.

Why it matters locally

Just behind the American Museum of Natural History, this market ties a major Upper West Side corner to regional agriculture every Sunday of the year. GrowNYC says the 79th Street Greenmarket has connected local farms and farmers with neighborhood residents since 1983, giving this stretch of Columbus Avenue a long-running farm-to-city role. The market is part of a network with strict producer-only standards, meaning farmers and food businesses sell farm-based products they grow or make themselves. That local mission also extends beyond shopping: GrowNYC frames its Greenmarket work as part of a nonprofit effort supporting education, food access, agriculture, and green space in New York City.

What you'll find there

The emphasis here is breadth rather than a single specialty: GrowNYC describes a diverse selection of locally grown and produced foods, and one visitor specifically called out produce, fresh pasta, and pretzels as regular buys.

• -A produce vendor offers fresh local produce.
• -A fresh pasta vendor is a regular stop for weekly shoppers.
• -A pretzel vendor sells sweet caramel and salt pretzels.
• -Toigo Orchards is noted for apples.

Cooking demonstrations, educational programs, and family activities are part of the market’s regular mix beyond shopping.

Know before you go

No dogs are allowed at W. 79th St. Greenmarket. The market is at W. 79th St. and Columbus Ave., behind the American Museum of Natural History, a location that makes it easy to pair with an Upper West Side museum visit or a walk along Columbus Avenue. If you need help using food benefits, head to the green market information tent, where staff can answer SNAP-related questions. Restrooms are not available on site. One visitor also noted that Grand Bazaar NYC is next door, which can shape how you plan a Sunday stop in this stretch of the neighborhood.

Payments & SNAP

SNAP EBT is accepted at the market. GrowNYC also lists Farmers' Market Nutrition Program benefits, FreshConnect Coupons, Healthfirst OTC for select plans, Health Bucks, and Greenmarket Bucks among accepted market currencies. SNAP shoppers can get a bonus $2 Health Buck for every $2 spent in SNAP/EBT or Summer EBT, up to $10 per day.