Previously Published in The Messenger
By Cait Crudden
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) is looking to transform Long Island’s food economy with a bold new proposal: the creation of a regional produce and seafood market in Yaphank.
Modeled after New York City’s iconic Fulton Fish Market and Hunts Point Produce Market, the facility would serve as a central hub where farmers, fishermen, restaurants, and grocers can connect more directly, cutting down on costly and polluting long-haul transport.
The envisioned depot, which would be strategically placed along the Long Island Rail Road line, is being promoted as both an economic and environmental win for Suffolk County. Romaine said the project would not only give local farmers and fishermen a more reliable outlet for their goods but also keep more dollars circulating within the local economy.
“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.”
To move the project forward, Romaine has tapped Robert Carpenter, the longtime leader of the Long Island Farm Bureau, to guide its development. Carpenter’s experience in agriculture policy, logistics, and farmer outreach will help shape site selection, infrastructure planning, and engagement with stakeholders across the farming and fishing industries.
Suffolk County stands out as a rare growth story in New York State agriculture. Between 2017 and 2022, the number of farms on Long Island rose by 3%, reaching 607. By comparison, New York State as a whole lost over 8% of its farms during that same period.
The county’s 34,468 acres of farmland generated nearly $373 million in sales in 2022, a 64% increase over 2017. Much of that revenue comes from direct-to-consumer sales, farm-to-table retailing, and processing partnerships with local businesses. Suffolk ranks first in the state among these types of sales, bringing in over $268 million annually.
On the seafood side, Suffolk dominates New York’s aquaculture industry. It produces more than 80% of the state’s shellfish through clam, oyster, and other shellfish farming, a sector worth millions each year.
Romaine has framed the proposed Yaphank market not just as an agricultural initiative, but as an investment in community resilience, sustainability, and quality of life. By consolidating distribution closer to where food is produced, Suffolk can reduce the number of trucks making long hauls into and out of the city.
Officials believe the market would also help stabilize Credit – local food supplies by shortening supply chains and ensuring that restaurants, retailers, and residents have better access to fresh, locally grown produce and seafood. In a time when global food distribution is vulnerable to climate disruptions and transportation bottlenecks, a Long Island-based hub could act as a safeguard for the region’s consumers.
The project is still in the planning stages, with site analysis, funding models, and community engagement yet to be finalized.
“We’re not just building infrastructure; we’re making a greener Suffolk. Fewer trucks on the road mean cleaner air and quieter communities,” Romaine stated.
While details such as construction timelines and financing remain uncertain, local leaders say the momentum is real. For farmers, the market could cut costs and expand opportunities. For consumers, it promises fresher food. And for Suffolk County, it represents a chance to strengthen its identity as New York’s agricultural and aquaculture leader.
If realized, the Yaphank hub could stand as a landmark project: a homegrown solution that boosts the local economy while helping to preserve Long Island’s rural heritage and coastal bounty for generations to come.