The only other Greenmarket in Queens, Strumolo said, is in Jackson Heights.

The Council on the Environment of New York City, an arm of the mayor's office, promotes regional agriculture and ensures a continuing supply of fresh, local produce for New Yorkers, he added.

"We have been trying to get a market for years," said Terri Adams, president of Hunters Point Community Development Corp. "It was always a case of not enough people, but now with Queens West coming in, that has changed."

She said she "drew up a petition and walked around earlier this year for a few weeks and was able to get some 791 signatures."

"It has been needed for many, many years," Adams added. "You really can't shop down here. There are little stores, delis and the like, but not much to offer and the prices are outrageous."

"I'll be out on the street and see people coming home from work with bags of fresh products from Manhattan. They need something in their own backyard," she said.

The "Hunters Point area lacks supermarkets and fruit and vegetable stores," said Joseph Conley, chairman of Community Board 2, which covers the section.

Conley, along with other board members, worked with Adams to persuade the Council on the Environment of New York City that a Greenmarket was viable in the area.

"This is a very energized community. There is a dearth of places to buy fresh fruits and vegetables in the area," said Strumolo.

Generally, he explained, eight to 10 growers participate at a Greenmarket. They offer a diverse range of products, including fresh fruits and vegetables in season, baked goods, meats, honey, maple syrup, eggs and dairy products.

"Everything from local farms, cut and produced fresh," Strumolo said.

"The Greenmarket will create a sense of place on a Saturday for the community," he added. "It will also nurture the community with healthy food."