Buying food at a farmers market could mean more for your budget than ever this summer.
Jill Connor / The Citizen
Bob Horsford, of Horsford Farms in Weedsport, unpacks some Spinach and red and green lettuce for the first week of the farmers market at Skaneateles Community Center.
Bob Horsford, of Horsford Farms in Weedsport, unpacks some Spinach and red and green lettuce for the first week of the farmers market at Skaneateles Community Center.
As gas prices hit $4 a gallon, customers can cut down on their own fuel costs by venturing to markets, market operators say. And by purchasing foods grown and prepared locally, customers can avoid the additional shipping costs that compound store prices.
The Moravia farmers market will give shoppers with Electronic Benefit Transfer cards the most bang for their buck by not only accepting the cards, but offering additional $5 coupons through the New York Fresh Checks program when those patrons spend more than $5.
This summer, the market will say goodbye to its buffalo meat vendor and welcome two new produce vendors to its lineup, which also includes a gluten-free baker and an organic chicken vendor.
“In Moravia we're based more on old-fashioned foods,” said Kathy Eaton-Fick, manager of the Moravia market. “Last year we had yellow tomatoes, and they didn't sell well. People just want good old tomatoes.”
That community will have plenty to occupy themselves while coming together each week at the market. A naturopathic doctor and chiropractor will speak, the Moravia police will hold bike safety sessions and cookies and crayons will be available for children.
“We keep adding little things all the time,” Eaton-Fick said. “We're trying to turn it into a social event.”
Skaneateles will feature two farmers markets this summer. In its 10th year, the traditional Skaneateles Farmers Market at the Skaneateles Community Center has expanded to 30 vendor slots, which will include organic yogurt from Wake Robin Farms and gluten-free desserts in addition to produce, wine, flowers, cheeses, breads, range-grown turkeys and chicken, beef and pork.
“We're stressing to buy local,” said Dave Laxton, the market's manager. “You're supporting your local community because the money you spend is spent again within the community, supporting small-time producers and not corporate stores.”
As it has in prior years, the market will throw a customer appreciation day in August. Though no plans are currently set for commemorating the market's anniversary, Laxton notes that there will be promotions and events to mark the occasion.
Meanwhile, another Skaneateles farmers market will celebrate its first year. The Greener Bean Farmers Market was organized to offer local residents an all-organic one-stop source of food from local producers. The market has so far confirmed six market vendors who will sell their healthy products, including certified organic beef and poultry, produce, dairy and gluten-free baked goods. Organizer Kendra Pearson also hopes to have cooking classes and other instructional offerings for patrons.
“There's such a huge response to it,” she said. “The amount of calls I've gotten on it are phenomenal.”
Pearson attributes this popularity to the growing public alertness of the benefits of eating organic food over the past decade. And the economic benefit of buying locally grown food is a newer concern that Pearson expects to work to the advantage of the market.
The Locke farmers market returns in 2008 with produce and baked goods, as well as a breakfast every Saturday morning hosted by the Locke Fire Department. While adults peruse the selections, their children can pass the time with chalk drawings and other children's activities organized every week. Under the department's pavilion, visitors will be able to shop without worrying about the elements.
“Locke doesn't have much for the community, and the fire department's trying to build a sense of community for people to come and interact with their neighbors,” said Nancy Whaley, treasurer of the department.
This summer also marks the first farmers market for the Sterling Nature Center, which features hand-made furniture and wooden toys in addition to fruits and vegetables. Site manager Bill Irwin looks forward to recruiting more vendors for the market as it continues through the year. Because the center asks no fee of its vendors, Irwin is confident it will build a steady base.
Seneca Falls will host its first farmers market in 2008 as well, though the market spent the last two summers in Waterloo. The village market will offer produce, baked goods, wine from Montezuma Winery and even handmade rugs. Patti Battley, of the Seneca County Cornell Cooperative Extension, points out that nothing not made in New York will be available at the market, as the extension and the Seneca Falls Development Corporation seek to support the local farming community.
The Seneca Falls market will also accept EBT cards and award $5 coupons to holders who charge more than $5 to those cards. Like its fellow markets, the Seneca Falls market is set to offer its shoppers a cost-friendlier option for food.
“They have some place close to home to get their fresh fruits and vegetables,” Battley said.
Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
If you go
What: Auburn Farmers Market
When: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from June through October 31
Where: Genesee Street between South Street and Loop Road
Info: Call 678-1622
What: Locke Farmers Market
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays from mid-July through mid-October
Where: Locke Fire Department grounds, Route 38, Locke
Info: Call 440-3296
What: Moravia Farmers Market
When: Noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays from July through mid-November
Where: Kinney Drug Store parking lot, Main Street, Moravia
Info: Call 497-8375
What: Seneca Falls Farmers Market
When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays from June 18 to mid-October
Where: People's Park, Seneca Falls
Info: Call 539-9251
What: Skaneateles Farmers Market
When: 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays
Where: Skaneateles Community Center, 97 State St., Skaneateles
Info: Call 685-6427
What: The Greener Bean organic farmers market
When: 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays beginning June 14
Where: P & C Foods parking lot, 40 Fennell St., Skaneateles
Info: Call 350-1872
What: Sterling Nature Center Farmers Market
When: 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays through mid-September
Where: Sterling Nature Center, 15380 Jensvold Road, Sterling
Info: Call 947-6143
The Moravia farmers market will give shoppers with Electronic Benefit Transfer cards the most bang for their buck by not only accepting the cards, but offering additional $5 coupons through the New York Fresh Checks program when those patrons spend more than $5.
This summer, the market will say goodbye to its buffalo meat vendor and welcome two new produce vendors to its lineup, which also includes a gluten-free baker and an organic chicken vendor.
“In Moravia we're based more on old-fashioned foods,” said Kathy Eaton-Fick, manager of the Moravia market. “Last year we had yellow tomatoes, and they didn't sell well. People just want good old tomatoes.”
That community will have plenty to occupy themselves while coming together each week at the market. A naturopathic doctor and chiropractor will speak, the Moravia police will hold bike safety sessions and cookies and crayons will be available for children.
“We keep adding little things all the time,” Eaton-Fick said. “We're trying to turn it into a social event.”
Skaneateles will feature two farmers markets this summer. In its 10th year, the traditional Skaneateles Farmers Market at the Skaneateles Community Center has expanded to 30 vendor slots, which will include organic yogurt from Wake Robin Farms and gluten-free desserts in addition to produce, wine, flowers, cheeses, breads, range-grown turkeys and chicken, beef and pork.
“We're stressing to buy local,” said Dave Laxton, the market's manager. “You're supporting your local community because the money you spend is spent again within the community, supporting small-time producers and not corporate stores.”
As it has in prior years, the market will throw a customer appreciation day in August. Though no plans are currently set for commemorating the market's anniversary, Laxton notes that there will be promotions and events to mark the occasion.
Meanwhile, another Skaneateles farmers market will celebrate its first year. The Greener Bean Farmers Market was organized to offer local residents an all-organic one-stop source of food from local producers. The market has so far confirmed six market vendors who will sell their healthy products, including certified organic beef and poultry, produce, dairy and gluten-free baked goods. Organizer Kendra Pearson also hopes to have cooking classes and other instructional offerings for patrons.
“There's such a huge response to it,” she said. “The amount of calls I've gotten on it are phenomenal.”
Pearson attributes this popularity to the growing public alertness of the benefits of eating organic food over the past decade. And the economic benefit of buying locally grown food is a newer concern that Pearson expects to work to the advantage of the market.
The Locke farmers market returns in 2008 with produce and baked goods, as well as a breakfast every Saturday morning hosted by the Locke Fire Department. While adults peruse the selections, their children can pass the time with chalk drawings and other children's activities organized every week. Under the department's pavilion, visitors will be able to shop without worrying about the elements.
“Locke doesn't have much for the community, and the fire department's trying to build a sense of community for people to come and interact with their neighbors,” said Nancy Whaley, treasurer of the department.
This summer also marks the first farmers market for the Sterling Nature Center, which features hand-made furniture and wooden toys in addition to fruits and vegetables. Site manager Bill Irwin looks forward to recruiting more vendors for the market as it continues through the year. Because the center asks no fee of its vendors, Irwin is confident it will build a steady base.
Seneca Falls will host its first farmers market in 2008 as well, though the market spent the last two summers in Waterloo. The village market will offer produce, baked goods, wine from Montezuma Winery and even handmade rugs. Patti Battley, of the Seneca County Cornell Cooperative Extension, points out that nothing not made in New York will be available at the market, as the extension and the Seneca Falls Development Corporation seek to support the local farming community.
The Seneca Falls market will also accept EBT cards and award $5 coupons to holders who charge more than $5 to those cards. Like its fellow markets, the Seneca Falls market is set to offer its shoppers a cost-friendlier option for food.
“They have some place close to home to get their fresh fruits and vegetables,” Battley said.
Staff writer David Wilcox can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 245 or david.wilcox@lee.net
If you go
What: Auburn Farmers Market
When: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from June through October 31
Where: Genesee Street between South Street and Loop Road
Info: Call 678-1622
What: Locke Farmers Market
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays from mid-July through mid-October
Where: Locke Fire Department grounds, Route 38, Locke
Info: Call 440-3296
What: Moravia Farmers Market
When: Noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays from July through mid-November
Where: Kinney Drug Store parking lot, Main Street, Moravia
Info: Call 497-8375
What: Seneca Falls Farmers Market
When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays from June 18 to mid-October
Where: People's Park, Seneca Falls
Info: Call 539-9251
What: Skaneateles Farmers Market
When: 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays
Where: Skaneateles Community Center, 97 State St., Skaneateles
Info: Call 685-6427
What: The Greener Bean organic farmers market
When: 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays beginning June 14
Where: P & C Foods parking lot, 40 Fennell St., Skaneateles
Info: Call 350-1872
What: Sterling Nature Center Farmers Market
When: 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays through mid-September
Where: Sterling Nature Center, 15380 Jensvold Road, Sterling
Info: Call 947-6143
