By Shannon Bickert
The sweet scent of roasted honey nuts mixed with the warm aroma of homemade sourdough bread as hundreds gathered to support local small businesses, from nonprofit horticulture organizations to family-run jam companies at the recent Eisenhower Park Craft and Gift Vendor Fair in East Meadow.
On a brisk weekend morning, sunlight beamed down on the open grassy fields as vendors pitched tents and displayed their homemade and homegrown products at the fair. Shoppers buzzed, moving from tent to tent, buying gifts, decadent treats and fine jewelry. Many vendors welcomed the new season, selling pumpkin-flavored treats and autumn decor.
Pamela Ocasio of Hicksville runs Pam’s Jamz, a family-owned business specializing in handcrafted jams. The company frequently attends local craft fairs to promote its products, which range from spicy jams with a zesty aftertaste to seasonal favorites such as apple for the fall.
“It gives us exposure to many other communities that we might not have exposure to,” Ocasio said. “We built a network of people that we collaborated with, people who come back for specific ones, or that look forward to our seasonals. We love this market.”
In addition to jams, Pam’s Jamz sells and ships baked goods during the winter months, just in time for the holidays. The business emphasizes the use of real ingredients in its products.
Real ingredients are important to Juliana Rivera, a St.Lucia native and owner of MadeFresh Organic, a health food company.
MadeFresh Organic was founded in 2015 after Rivera underwent gallbladder surgery. Doctors said that it would take Rivera a year to return to work, but after making lifestyle changes, she recovered in three months.
“When I got sick, I didn’t want to be on medication,” Rivera said. “I wanted to get back to work, and I took my mind back to St. Lucia, to my grandfather’s garden. I used that method to heal myself. My grandfather was my inspiration.”
Rivera wanted to share her methods of healing with others, which sparked her creation of MadeFresh Organic.
Rivera uses sea moss as a key ingredient in her mineral-rich juices. She has expanded MadeFresh Organic beyond vitamin drinks, but also healthy meals that are shipped throughout New York City’s Five Boroughs and Nassau County. With these ingredients, Rivera said the ingredients helped her lose weight and maintain her weight loss.
She said MadeFresh aims to help others on their wellness journeys through healthy digestion and strong heart health.
Fairs on Long Island in early October.
Food is a main event for many at the fair, with lines wrapping around tents to grab fresh produce from Schneider’s Farm located in Melville. Others lined up for fresh chocolate chip cookies from Lovely Bakes It and popular sourdough loaves from T&J Home Baked Goods, who specialized in sourdough treats.
The fair featured not only delicious snacks, but also a variety of small businesses selling handmade crafts, including family-owned and operated Izzy’s Handmade Shop.
“It started in our home, just trying to come up with ideas,” said John Tom of Selden. “It was just a hobby.”
It’s a family affair for the Tom’s, with each member contributing their own craft to the business.
“My sister [Alyssa] sows, and sometimes I bake,” said Isabelle Tom. “My mom makes diamond paintings and my dad makes signs.”
Izzy’s Handmade Shop displayed postcards, beaded bracelets, makeup bags and even custom-made clocks.
Family-oriented vendors were a major part of the fair. Personalized Creations, a 3D-printed toy company, donated proceeds from sales of its shiny dragon creations to local families in need.
From toys to fresh produce, the fair offered something for all ages to enjoy, while giving attendees the opportunity to support local businesses.
“I love to see the support of local businesses,” Ocasio said. “This is what it’s all about.”
