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A ‘new normal’ for Saratoga Farmers’ Market?

March 8, 2021 By marketeditor

By Himanee Gupta-Carlson

The outdoor season for the Saratoga Farmers’ Market begins in eight weeks. What will that mean for vendors, market staff, and the market’s many loyal shoppers as Saratoga and its surrounding communities start to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic?

The market was in a state of flux, even before the pandemic. It moved its indoor location in 2019 from the Saratoga Spa State Park, where it had been for six years, to the Wilton Mall. The market shut down for a week in March 2020 when the strictest restrictions were imposed but was able to reopen quickly by moving outdoors to the empty mall parking lot outside the shuttered Bon Ton. Summer construction work and continued safety concerns made a return to its traditional outdoor locale at High Rock Park impossible, so the market remained at the mall.

Lindsay Fisk of Owl Wood Farm, photo by Pattie Garrett

That decision proved successful in keeping the market strong, says Mark Bascom, co-owner of Owl Wood Farm and president of the market association’s board. “It wouldn’t have been possible without our dedicated customers who have kept on supporting us through our transitions.”

Now, with a new outdoor season approaching, the market is unsure where its summer home will be.

Bascom said a survey of vendors shows they are split between moving back to the park or remaining at the mall. The market board plans to survey customers, as well.

The mall’s outdoor parking lots are spacious, which creates space for many vendors to operate with appropriate distances between them. Creating that kind of space at and around High Rock Park would require some reconfiguring, says market manager Emily Meagher. Still, to many vendors and shoppers, High Rock is home.

Overall, farmers’ markets nationally have had an increase in business throughout the pandemic, according to retail analysts. This increase has been somewhat true for the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, as well.

“During the first few months of the pandemic, when farmers’ markets seemed to be one of the only trusted places to shop, business was really booming for our food vendors,” says Meagher. “That was due in large part to being outside.”

“When we moved back indoors, our market tapered down,” she added. “That’s to be expected. A lot of our customers just don’t feel comfortable shopping indoors right now.”

Madison Jackson organizes Local Line orders, photo by Pattie Garrett

The market has responded to that discomfort by establishing an online pre-ordering service. Online shoppers may view offerings from 9 p.m. Monday through 9 p.m. Thursday and place orders for a large variety of goods. Market staff gather the items from vendors and package them for customers to pick up at a site just outside the market.

Some vendors also have chosen to cease attending because of safety concerns. However, newer vendors have joined and are energizing the market as “customers catch on to their presence and the high-quality products they offer,” Meagher says.

Nettle Meadow & Ballston Lake Apiaries, photo by Pattie Garrett

Other vendors are learning to adjust to changing conditions. Beth Trattel of Something’s Brewing used to draw much of her business from sales of hot and cold beverages sold on the spot. Those sales have fallen as customers have begun visiting the market more to shop and less to hang out. However, Trattel has seen more robust sales of her fresh-roasted coffee beans that customers take home to make. This shift also has been real for some prepared food vendors. Giovanni Fresco, for instance, offers take-home meals as well as fresh pasta.

Bascom said warmer weather might allow the market to move outdoors earlier than usual, which would help ease safety concerns. “Farmers markets always are changing,” he says. “That keeps things interesting for the customer. But overall, we are glad that they are viewed as an integral part of the food system.”

Filed Under: Featured Article, homepage feature, News Tagged With: coronavirus, COVID-19, curbside pickup, High Rock Park, online preordering, pandemic, summer 2021, Wilton Mall

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We love market days! Our vendors are really some We love market days!  Our vendors are really some of the best people … and so are our customers.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is not only a great place to grab everything you need for your weekly shopping.  It’s a place where you get to have conversations and meet the people who grow your food and make the products they offer. 

It’s more than shopping; it’s an experience!  So come down and experience the market today … we are at High Rock Park from 3pm to 6pm.

#saratogafarmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket🔆 #shoplocalsaratoga #shoplocalsaratogasprings #supportlocalfarmersmarkets
The Saratoga Pumpkin Festival is this weekend Satu The Saratoga Pumpkin Festival is this weekend Saturday, September 23rd!!!!

What’s happening?

Saratoga Farmers’ market 9 am to 1 pm

Saratoga Pumpkin Festival 11 am to 4 pm

This is a free family event that starts at the Saratoga City Center parking garage on High Rock Avenue and continues down to the Saratoga farmers Market.  This is a community collaboration with the Saratoga county chamber of commerce, Saratoga Springs city center and the Saratoga Farmers’ Market.

We are also hosting a children’s pumpkin painting event from 11 am to 1 pm for ( $8 donation). The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is a 501(c)3 and these small fundraisers help to support our free educational programming, intern program, emergency farm fund, etc 

We look forward to seeing you Saturday!

#saratogafarmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket🔆 #saratogapumpkinfest #saratogaevents #fallinsaratoga #giantpumpkinfestival
The market is on this afternoon in Clifton Park an The market is on this afternoon in Clifton Park and ready to start your week with all kinds of locally grown and locally produced goods!

Stop by to browse and shop… 2pm to 5pm.

#cliftonparkny #cliftonparkfarmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket🔆 #shoplocalcliftonpark #suppurtlocalgrowers
Discover the beautiful autumn colors at the Sarato Discover the beautiful autumn colors at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market… stil time to come down.  We are here until 1 pm!

#saratogafarmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket🔆 #highrockpark #highrockparksaratoga #autumninsaratoga

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