Month-Long Fish Festival Underway at Pure Farmers Market in New York

A month-long fish festival is underway for the fifth time at Pure Farmers Market in Brooklyn, New York, offering Bangladeshi expatriates a wide selection of familiar freshwater and seafood at relatively affordable prices.

The festival began on August 7 at 1242 Liberty Avenue and will continue through August 31, remaining open daily from 8 a.m. to midnight.

The market has stocked a variety of fish commonly found in Bangladesh’s rivers, ponds and wetlands, including hilsa, shol, rohu, catla, mrigal, koi, shrimp, kachki and mola, along with other local and seafood varieties.

Pure Farmers said the fish are imported directly, reducing the number of intermediaries and allowing the market to offer them at comparatively lower prices. Special discounts are also available on selected fish during the festival, along with package deals for customers purchasing three to five fish at a time.

Hilsa lovers have also been offered a special selection featuring different varieties and brands, including Pure & Gel, Chandpur Hilsa and Putul brand hilsa.

Bangladeshi expatriates said finding fresh fish with familiar flavors from home is not always easy in New York. They welcomed the opportunity to purchase several varieties of Bangladeshi fish at one location and benefit from special offers.

Visitors to the festival showed particularly strong interest in hilsa, koi, rohu and mrigal. The variety of fish and comparatively affordable prices have also attracted shoppers.

Pure Farmers Market Managing Director Shamsul Haque said the festival was organized in response to the strong demand and interest among Bangladeshi expatriates for fish from their homeland.

He said the organizers wanted to make it easier for Bangladeshis living in New York to buy fresh fish with familiar flavors at relatively affordable prices. He added that the festival has received a positive response from customers.