EXTRA: On January 9, 2010, we lost a great Greenmarket pioneer, one of the first farmers in the market, Alvina Frey. She was a fine farmer, one of the amazing people who attracted excellent restaurants as well as other lovers of good, healthy, and inventive foods. She introduced all sorts of wonderful beans and was the first to bring in haricots verts, haricots jaunes, and mini zucchini and other tiny squashes. Her corn was amazing and her unique vegetables inspired other farmers to try interesting new ideas.
Rick Bishop of Mountain Sweet Berry told Beth Linsky the following: “Alvina kept saying she would retire and she kept coming back to the market. She was going to give me all her secrets to planting and picking. Her haricot verts were the best and I planted lots of them but she just couldn't bring herself to retire. Finally she asked me to come to her farm and we just sat and talked for several hours, discussing varieties, planting and growing methods. Putting her advice to work afforded me the ability to inherit the incredible restaurant trade she had developed and her mentoring catapulted me into the limelight with all of the best restaurants. I'm indebted to her.”
Although Alvina retired a while ago, her influence is still felt in the Greenmarket. We’ve missed her good cheer and her supportive and inventive presence. I've been waiting to get some information before posting this. I was very fond of Alvina and her produce and have missed her.
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