A lonely bunch of dill...

That's what Morgiewicz Produce was down to last week by 1 p.m.By all accounts it the busiest opening day we've ever had. It was great to see so many familiar faces again and so many new ones, too. I got a call at 6:30 a.m. as I was heading to the market for set-up (always a challenge on opening day). It was Pete Taliaferro Sr. the father of Pete Jr.  and Ian who run the large, popular organic produce stand on the northern end of the market lot. "I'm calling with my tail between my legs," he said. "It's been such a rough spring, I don't have enough greens to bring to the market," he said. "I've never missed an opening day." I assured him that we would all be waiting for the Taliaferro boys when they get here. But it reinforced how tough it has been for our farmers this year.  They've been sucker-punched by hailstorms and heat waves during peak growing season. Lettuces were pummeled. Celery is frying in the fields. Every one's running a couple of weeks behind schedule. We hope the Taliaferro boys will be there on Saturday but if they don't look as lush and green as they usually do, you'll know why. Speaking of green make sure you stop by the Conservation Commission table this week (they're shacking up with Cornell Cooperative under one tent) to get composting advice and to learn about the new (expanded) RECYCLING standards that went into effect this month countywide (yay! more plastics are being recycled). Fresh off her appearance on the cover of last week's Style section in the NYT, Hastings' own Helene Godin, of By the Way Bakery will also be in the house.  If you haven't made it to the gluten-free bakery on Warburton Ave. yet, make sure you stop by her tent at the market  and try her tea cakes, ginger cookies or biscotti. She'll even have some bags of granola.  Everything she bakes is gluten-free and unexpectedly DELICIOUS. Benmarl has decided to come every other week...so if you didn't get your Seyval last week, you better stock up next week. What happened to Red Jacket? They plum forgot. There have been lots of changes at the company and somehow Hastings fell through the cracks last week with so many markets opening across the state on the same day.But they'll return  this Saturday. I requested that Ackloe, our favorite Red Jacket vendor return and they had him reassigned from a market in Jersey to Hastings. Anyone know how to say "yippee" in Tibetan? Also: READY SET SHARP will be at the market this Saturday and every other week after that so don't forget your pruning shears, scissors and knives tomorrow..... And, a reminder that Amazing Real Live Food., is also carrying Ronnybrook milk, cream, yogurt and butter.  They sold out last week and we hope they bring more this week. (Ronnybrook yogurt with By the Way granola anyone?) You should be seeing some garlic scapes at the market this week or next. Start thinking pesto... And thank you all for making Deborah Tyler,  the Pie Lady of Nyack, feel so welcome. Eager to hear what you though to those pies...

See you at the market! AND PLEASE NOTE THAT WE NOW CLOSE AT 1:30 p.m. instead of 2 p.m.

—Pascale Le Draoulec