A Private Chef’s Guide to the Hamptons’ Best Farmstands

Being born and raised in Sagaponack has given me a lifetime of experience learning what makes a Farmstand stand out. Since launching my private chef Company, Plate in Progress, I’m a pretty consistent fixture at the Hamptons’ many unique farmstands. These local stands are essential in designing custom menus and unforgettable dining experiences for my discerning clients in the Hamptons. 

I have partnered with Hamptons.com to create your definitive guide to the best local offerings and the Hamptons Freshest Farmstands this Summer. For every day and for every adventure in the Hamptons, this guide aims to give you an insider’s insight into the perfect provisions for a day on the boat, picking the freshest beach snack, elevated dining, and entertaining!

Check out @PlateinProgress on Instagram and TikTok to see seasonal offerings I am cooking, likely with provisions from a Hamptons Farmstand!

Lisa and Bills/Babinski Farm, Wainscott

Corner of Beach Lane and Wainscott Main Street

Growing up in Wainscott, I’ve been going to Lisa and Bill’s since before I could drive. I would pack cash in my beach bag, hop on my bike and stop here to grab a ripe peach before a long day at the beach. This is the definitive family farmstand in the Hamptons, where practically everyone who works here is family or close friends to Cici and Andy, who started the stand. They have the best corn, but the stand out here are their tomatoes, specifically large beefsteak red and yellow tomatoes. Often you will see local tomatoes sold at other markets around the east end and they are coming from here. I count down the summer days to when their buckets of tomatoes are available. I urge you to do the same, buy a few and make enough tomato sauce to get you through the winter. 

Balsam Farms, Montauk + Amagansett

293 Town Lane, Amagansett || Weds–Mon, 9am–7pm

662 Montauk Highway, Montauk || 7 Days, 9am–7pm

This is by far my most frequented farm stand by far for clients in Amagansett and East Hampton Balsam stands out because of its quality, variety, and consistency. July-September If I go once, I can pretty much build a menu around what I know is available but can also get creative with fun new items popping up all the time. Also, the HERBS, chef kiss. 

Amber Waves Farms, Amagansett + East Hampton

367 Main St, Amagansett || 7 Day, 8am–5pm

70 Park Place, East Hampton || 7 Day, 10am–6pm

Once the season gets on its way, the indoor setup can sometimes be hard to navigate if you are in a rush, but this is a home cook’s dream to browse. They do a great job at sourcing from other locations to offer a large variety but are transparent about what is grown there vs elsewhere. Their flowers and gardening supplies in the Spring are the best in the area. I love grabbing a bean + cheese or Sunbutter roll-up as a snack before heading to a gig or getting a bottle of wine and enjoying at one of their picnic tables. 

Serene Green, Sag Harbor

3980 Noyack Road || Mon–Sat, 9am–7pm; Sun 9am–6pm

If I have a client in Sag or Bridge, you will 100% see me here. Super easy to navigate setup and great selection. You could provision your whole home here with pantry items, prepared goods, frozen offerings, fresh local products, and high-quality meats and seafood. Easy understand labels show what is local, make sure you try their local cheeses and baked goods. Also, ask about their “Seconds,” (slightly bruised produce) for a great discount. Also-also, two words: Coffee Truck. 

Dale and Bette’s Produce, Sag Harbor

1726 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike || Self Serve

This is for sure a hidden gem, so don’t blame yourself if this isn’t on your radar yet.  Tucked in the front yard of what I assume is Dale and Bettes house just outside Sag Harbor Village. The farmstand recalls the countless farm stands that popped up all around the Hamptons in my childhood—and I’m here for it! Don’t miss their strictly local offerings, especially the bagged greens. Definitely, a great stop if you’re unsure what’s for dinner. Payment is on the honor system, so bring cash.

Pikes, Sagaponack

82 Sagg Main Street || 7 Days, 9am–6pm 

One of the most idyllic stands in the Hamptons, located right on the farm, you can sometimes see people loading the produce from the rows directly to the stand. Pikes has all the classic local offerings of fruit and veggies and delicious bicolor corn. If you don’t leave with an extra pint of Sungolds for the ride home, you are doing it wrong. 

Crowleys Farmstand, Sagaponack

345 Sagg Main Street

If you shopped here back here 2004–2005, then 13-year-old me could have been the one bagging your picks. Also, run by a local family, the Crowley Farmstand taught me the standard for beauty in local flowers. This local family has had roots in the Hamptons for generations. They grow all of their items on their stunning plot on Parsonage Lane. Keep an eye out for honey and eggs gathered less than 100 yards away and pies sourced from local bakeries. 

Marilee/Foster Farm, Sagaponack

698 Sagg Main Street || @MarileesFarmStand for hours + info 

When you walk up to Marilee’s you feel like you are in a storybook; every vegetable and fruit has a hand-drawn character to go with it—you won’t believe how cute these are!! Marilee has without question the largest variety of tomatoes—striped, purple, green, all crazy shapes and sizes—for this chef, they are the taste of summer. More than just tomatoes, their heirloom options are a chef’s dream. They also source some unreal bread and baked goods throughout the season. They offer a wide variety of CSA’s and collaborations, I recommend getting on their mailing list. 

Stone’s Throw, Sagaponack

1140 Sagg Main Road || @stonesthrowfarmsagaponack for hours + info

The last stop before the beach on Sagg Main Street, which I call “Farmstand Row,” was introduced to me when I was working in local kitchens. Unlike the others listed, you won’t find a stand. They specialize in wholesale organic farming and offer local grains. If wholesale isn’t your thing, check out their CSA. If fresh fruit and veggies aren’t your thing, contact them for their flowers. 

Halsey Farm, Water Mill

513 Deerfield Road || @HalseyFarm for hours + info

I do not often find myself near Halsey Farm but will happily travel out of my way to shop here. Bring your camera inside because I can promise you haven’t seen this many colors of carrots in your life. Also, their stacks of lettuce are a work of art—not to mention tasty. Halsey Farm is so organized, making it so easy to shop while still offering such variety, including fun items you can’t often find at other stands. If you want to get into growing, this is also the place I would shop for your plantings. 

North Sea Farms, Southampton

1060 Noyac Road || 7 Days, 8am–6pm

“A small farm with a little bit of everything” is the sign you will see when you pull up to North Sea Farm, and man, is it true. This is also a family-run operation through and through, and notably, one of the family members started selling cookies out of this stand, these days, those cookies are called Tates of Southampton! They now specialize in chicken and eggs so be sure to grab some when you shop here, but they don’t stop there. Also sourced from many other purveyors they offer a full-service stand but importantly, they are transparent about labeling what is local and what is grown on their farm. 

Green Thumb, Water Mill

829 Montauk Highway || 7 Days, 9am–5pm

Often spotted on Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa show, and for a good reason. They are Certified Organic and have been as long as I can remember—which is easier said than done. Green Thumb is conveniently located on Montauk Highway, making it an easy choice for shopping. They offer some unique fruits and veggies as well as baked goods and lots of options for your gardening needs. This is a 3rd generation family farm, and you will see that in action when you shop here. Everyone is so helpful and informative; check out their harvest calendar on their website to see what’s available.