Although 2020 has been a rollercoaster ride that felt like it was never going to end, somehow in the blink of an eye it is the holiday season once again. Many families are planning to celebrate the holidays from home this year. We can all agree that one of the most important components of celebrating the holiday season with your family is the food, right? Whether you are planning on cooking a meal or need some things to add to your table this year, family-owned Nurel’s Farmers Market has everything you need to celebrate the holidays to the fullest with some good food right from home!

 Located at 226 East Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays, Nurel’s is the perfect local spot to find all the things you need to serve your family this year. Owned and operated by Tony and Menekse Nurel, they have been growing their business for over 27 years. “Nurel’s Farmers Market has been open since 1993. We started out as a small farm stand and over the years we have been able to expand,” said Tony. If you have been living in Hampton Bays for a while, you probably remember shopping at or passing by the market when it was still a small farmstand. Nurel’s is one example of a local business in our town that has grown substantially over the past few years. 

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     The first thing you notice as you enter the market is their wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables that fill the market with color. Nurel’s gathers their amazing fresh produce from local vendors and farmers, giving them a chance to come together and allow us to celebrate the hard work done by the hands of our very own neighbors. When asked about what their favorite part of owning the business is, Tony said, “Our favorite part about owning a family business is the sense of community we’ve been able to create with each other and our town.”

     A delicious home-cooked meal starts with deliciously fresh ingredients, of course. If you are planning on cooking, or have family members that love to cook meals around the holidays, spread the word about Nurel’s or stop by for all of the fresh ingredients and foods you will need to bring your family together at the dinner table this season. Tony says,, “Some of our favorites are our tomatoes, corn, and lettuce.” There are many fresh fruits available, including strawberries, raspberries, cherries, and grapes. Next to the fruits are freshly made and bottled juices. Nurel’s also has a juice bar which is most popular during the summer season. Above the big selections of lettuce and kale, you will find many salad dressings to choose from. You will definitely be in the mood for a salad after walking around the store.

      If you are looking to try something new, or want to buy some freshly made foods, Nurel’s has also recently added a hot foods and deli section. Some hot foods available for purchase include fried chicken, roasted chicken, grilled salmon, and rice. The deli section offers a wide selection of Boar’s Head deli meats, cheeses, and fresh sandwiches. Some sandwiches available that stood out to me were the chicken parm hero sandwich and chicken caesar wrap.

    Nothing feels like the holidays at home more than the smell of a freshly baked pie or batch of cookies. Whether you are bringing dessert to your family or enjoying it at home, Nurel’s offers some of the best pies you can find in Hampton Bays, and a wide variety of bakery items to choose from. “Our most popular seasonal food is our pies,” said Tony.  There are many different flavors and you will love all of them. “The different pies we have available are Apple, Apple Crumb, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, Pecan, Peach, Peachberry, Blueberry, Strawberry Rhubarb, and Mixed Fruit.” You will also find Christmas cookies, croissants, and freshly baked loaves of banana and blueberry bread. I was able to try the peachberry pie and banana bread, and both were delicious!

     During a year like this, all of us need to make memories with our families at home and find joy in the little things. My favorite part about the holiday season is setting up Christmas decorations with my family, and some of my best childhood memories were setting up Christmas trees and decorations around this time of the year. If you are looking for some decorations to spice up your home, Nurel’s has many options for you. Outside of the entrance, you will find a selection of Christmas trees and decorated wreaths. As you enter the market, stunning poinsettias are decorating the countertops that are available for purchase.