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From Farm To Picnic: Filling your basket at the market

August 7, 2017 By marketeditor

By Himanee Gupta-Carlson

Summer hits its peak in August. Glorious sunshine in the daytime and star-studded skies at night make outdoor dining alluring. In addition, opportunities to take in a concert at the park or an afternoon at the track beckon.

            How to prepare meals in such a situation? The answer, of course, is to pack a picnic.

The word “picnic” refers to a packed meal. The meal typically is al fresco style, meaning it is best enjoyed outdoors.

What makes a picnic in August particularly lovely is bringing your basket to the Saratoga Farmers’ Market and preparing your picnic on the spot. Visit the market on a Wednesday afternoon and pack a romantic meal for two. Or start your Saturday with breakfast at the market, then shop for lunch. Plan a family outing or an afternoon at the track while you shop.

Need ideas? Try these menus:

Packing for the track: For Friends of the Market organizer Alexandra Morgan, summer is all about afternoons at the track. Morgan, who lives within walking distance of the market, creates a colorful blend of savory and sweet snacks with the following:

  • A bunch of Owl Wood Farm radishes.
  • Artisanal cheeses from Moxie Ridge
  • Saratoga Cracker Co. crackers
  • Scotch Ridge Farm blueberries.
  • And finally a pint of sweet cider from Saratoga Apple.

What makes this menu truly picnic-like is its flavor and its ease. No need to cut or cook anything. Just pack a bag and head straight from the market to the track.

Snackable produce at Scotch Ridge Farm by Pattie Garrett
Snackable produce at Scotch Ridge Farm by Pattie Garrett

The family picnic: Market director Julia Howard calls picnics “the theme of summer” for her toddler Taiga, partner Sean, and herself. Lunches at area beaches are a ritual, and Howard has the planning and the packing down to a science:

An easily prepared salad of cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and feta cheese tossed with olive oil and seasoned with fresh parsley.

  • Freddy’s Rocking hummus and an heirloom tomato on a slice of Rockhill Bakehouse bread.
  • Puckers Gourmet full sour pickles.
  • Water or chocolate milk for her daughter, and a cold brew coffee from Wednesday vendor Electric City Roasters for herself.
  • Any fruit that’s in season, with a particular emphasis this year on local peaches from Kokinda Farms.
  • Pleasant Valley carrots.

“I aim for light foods that have sustenance,” she says, “and I am conscientious about minimizing the mess.”

Slate Valley Farm by Pattie Garrett
Slate Valley Farm by Pattie Garrett

Date night: Market photographer Pattie Garrett creates her favorite evenings out with her husband Tommy by starting with the basics: picnic table, tablecloth, citronella candles. Then, she fills the basket at the farmers’ market, varying her purchases with what’s in season and pleasing to her eye. Here’s what she came up with on a recent trip:

  • Slate Valley Farm’s lavender lemonade.
  • Cured sausages from Dancing Ewe Farm
  • A Murray Hollow loaf of whole wheat bread.
  • Easy-to-cut vegetables with Argyle Cheese Farm’s tzatziki dip.
  • Chocolate Spoon cookies, fresh berries, and Northern Star Vineyards wine.

Pack a picnic at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market every Wednesday, 3-6 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at High Rock Park. Also follow us on Instagram, Facebook and

Filed Under: Featured Article, News Tagged With: DIY, Saratoga Farmers' Market Recipes

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Today at our International Flavor Fest! Thank you Today at our International Flavor Fest! Thank you to everyone who came by today. We hope you had fun! 😋🌎🌾
Exciting news! The Saratoga Farmers’ Market Flav Exciting news! The Saratoga Farmers’ Market Flavor Fest is happening tomorrow! 🎉🍴 Our vendors have amazing samples for you to taste, including mouth-watering chorizo and bratwurst from Hebron Valley Meats and delectable Chicken Briyani from Perfect Plant Farm. 😍 Don't forget to grab your passport for a chance to win a prize by collecting stamps from market vendors! 🛍️ @worldkidsmuseum will also be joining us with a fun kid's craft to make your own fortune cookie 🥠, and CCE food is back with a fermentation activity. 🌱 See you there! ✈️🌎😋

#saratogafarmersmarket #saratogasprings #thingstodoinupstateny #internationalfood #flavorfest #farmersmarket #kidsactivities #smallbuisness #shoplocal
Get ready to mushroom into a world of flavor at th Get ready to mushroom into a world of flavor at the Saratoga Farmers' Market! 🍄🌱 This week, we're thrilled to highlight the Mushroom Shop and their incredible selection of locally grown and harvested mushrooms. We spoke with owner's Jacob and Elysee to learn more.

Q: What are some of the health benefits associated with consuming mushrooms?

A: Mushrooms contain a multitude of medicinal compounds. The mushroom species Cordyceps militaris contains cordycepin, which increases your blood's ability to absorb and transport oxygen, improving exercise performance. Mukitake or Panellus serotinus possesses compounds that have shown in recent studies to improve liver function in people suffering from fatty liver disease. Reishi mushrooms improve immune health, warding off sickness and reducing inflammation. Other medicinal mushrooms include Turkey Tail, Chaga, Agarikon, Maitake, and Lions Mane.

Q: What inspired you to start selling mushrooms at the farmers' market?

A: We initially got our inspiration from a mushroom farm based in Tennessee called Mossy Creek Mushrooms. They have many videos on Youtube covering every aspect of operating a mushroom farm from building and maintaining equipment to harvesting and marketing mushrooms. Jacob has had an interest in growing mushrooms as a hobby for about eight years when he discovered a patch of oyster mushrooms growing in the wild. We got the opportunity to lease land in the beginning of 2021 and shortly after started selling at farmers’ markets.

Q: How do you recommend customers prepare and cook the mushrooms they purchase from you?

A: At our farmers markets we always provide printed recipes that utilize the mushrooms available during the current season. Like meat, mushrooms can be cooked in a variety of ways, such as sautéing, roasting, and grilling to create a flavorful dish. One of our recent favorites is a Spicy Crispy Lion's Mane Sandwich- a thick slab of Lion's Mane mushroom battered and fried on a toasted bun with spicy mayo and pickles. This is a delicious take on a chicken sandwich made entirely of whole, natural produce. 

*Find the Mushroom shop year round at our Saturday markets!*

#saratogafarmersmarket
Get ready for a mouth-watering adventure! 🍴🌍 Get ready for a mouth-watering adventure! 🍴🌍 Join us on Saturday, March 25th from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Saratoga Farmers' Market's International Flavor Fest in the Wilton Mall food court! 🎉 Indulge in frgál cakes, julekaker, burek, curries, samosas, and more, representing cuisines from all around the world! 🌎 There will be live music, family-friendly activities, and food tastings that will take your taste buds on a journey around the globe! 🎶👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Plus, our friends at the World Awareness Children's Museum will be hosting a paper fortune cookie making session for the kiddos! Don't forget to pick up your passport for a chance to win a prize by filling it with stamps from market vendors! Let's celebrate our traditions, history, and community through the language of flavorful food! 😍🍴

 #InternationalFlavorFest #SaratogaFarmersMarket #FoodieAdventure #CommunityConnection

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