In a forward-looking plan to support Long Island’s agricultural and seafood industries, County Executive Ed Romaine has floated an idea to build a local market in Yaphank on par with the outlets in the city. The hub, similar to the famed Fulton Fish Market and Hunts Point Produce Market, would provide an accessible depot for produce and seafood without the need for long-haul trips.
The new venue would also enable local stores and restaurants to source fresh ingredients more directly and sustainably.
“We want to make it easier for our farmers and fishermen to reach the market,” Romaine said. “By placing this facility right off the Long Island Rail Road line, we’re keeping dollars local, cutting down on long-distance truck trips, and helping preserve our roads and our air,” he added.
To spearhead the initiative, Romaine has brought on Robert Carpenter, formerly of the Long Island Farm Bureau, to guide development. Carpenter’s expertise will advance planning on the site selection, logistics, and farmer/fishermen outreach.
Long Island is a powerhouse of agricultural productivity within New York State. It had 607 farms in 2022, a 3% increase from 2017, while the state as a whole lost over 8% of farms in that time. The region boasts 34,468 acres of farmland, generating nearly $373 million in agricultural sales in 2022, up 64% from 2017. Suffolk also ranks first statewide in sales of produce directly to consumers, local retailers, or processors, totaling over $268 million.
Furthering its produce cred, Suffolk is also the top county in the state for aquaculture—shellfish and seafood farming—bringing in millions in production value, over 80% of New York’s shellfish aquaculture output.
Romaine frames the proposed Yaphank market as a major win for the region by boosting the local economy, cutting emissions, traffic, and road wear, strengthening community resilience, and enhancing food supply stability. “We’re not just building infrastructure; we’re making a greener Suffolk. Fewer trucks on the road mean cleaner air and quieter communities,” he concluded.