Our programs bring fresh, affordable and high-quality foods to all.

Essex Kitchen is the site of the majority of our classes and special events. We prioritize offering free, public programming that appeals to a diverse range of ages, abilities, and interests. Explore our program offerings, and see how you can participate.

If you’re interested in bringing a group to the market, partnering with us on an event, or want to rent event space at Essex Market, get in touch with us through our contact form.

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Fresh Bites

Fresh Bites is our free cooking and nutrition education program that focuses on how to prepare fresh fruits and vegetables found at Essex Market — and use them as the base for cooking delicious, healthy and affordable meals. Classes meet weekly, with translations offered in Chinese on Tuesdays, and in Spanish on Thursdays.

Read our most recent Fresh Bites Report (PDF download).

Partner Programs

Our partners are local organizations committed to addressing food insecurity and community well-being in New York City. These include

Project EATS, which transforms urban spaces into farms and food hubs, with an urban farm located above Essex Market for youth education on food systems;
Heart of Dinner, an organization packaging meals at Essex Kitchen weekly to support Asian American seniors through nutritious meals and companionship;
The Loisaida Center, who provide hands-on cooking classes led by María Bído, local Puerto Rican caterer, celebrating the rich cultural traditions of Puerto Rican cuisine;
and Culikid, who host weekly culinary classes for teenagers of all abilities.

These programs are part of our collaborative effort toward promoting food access and community development.

School Partnerships & Kids Classes

Essex Market frequently teams up with local community-based nonprofits and NYC schools to bring engaging, hands-on experiences to students.

Through exciting cooking workshops, we support curriculums, delving into topics like health, science, and social studies for students pre-K to high school.

Vendor-Led Classes

Essex Market’s diverse family of small business owners hold a wealth of knowledge and expertise, and regularly host cooking classes, demonstrations, and tastings.

Past events include: Olive Oil & Vinegar Tasting, Vegan Cheese-making, and Beer & Cheese Pairings.

Cooking Classes for People with Disabilities

Essex Market has a longstanding partnership with AHRC NYC to support their Adult Day Services Centers programming that provides structured learning around cooking skills, meal preparation, healthy eating habits, and more.

Market Tours

Local tour groups include Essex Market as a stop on their Lower East Side tours. Tours combine market history, vendor storytelling and—of course—tastings from market businesses.