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Saratoga Farmers’ Market Grows with Changing Times

By Himanee Gupta-Carlson

Thirty-five years ago, Gifford Farms brought vegetables and fruits to the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. These days, their stall on Wednesday afternoons also features jars of honey, bottles of maple syrup, and such goods as steamed brown bread.

The latter is an innovation of Linda Gifford’s daughter. She creates a quick bread batter, places it in a can, seals the can, and simmers it in water. The result is a spongy, mildly sweet concoction that can be enjoyed in a single meal.

These changes reflect the evolving nature of the Saratoga Farmers’ Market primary customer base. When the market began in 1978, farmers served families who prepared three meals a day, six or seven days a week. They relied on farmers not only for fresh produce, meats, eggs, and other products for the week but also on large quantities of seasonal goods for freezing or canning for later use. 

These days, Gifford says, “I still sell corn, one or two ears per customer, maybe six sometimes. It used to be a dozen. Tomatoes, peppers, used to go by the bushel.”

Even as busy lives and around-the-clock work demands alter how families cook and eat together, locally grown, raised, and made farm-fresh goods remain important. The Saratoga Farmers’ Market staff and volunteers are initiating new projects in response to these changes. The market this year, for instance, has provided an ATM so customers can get easy access to cash. It also has adopted a new FreshFoodNY app as part of a project with the New York State Federation of Farmers Markets to allow customers to pre-order items from market vendors for an easy pick-up.

Older farmers accept the change as part of a change in their lives, as well. Deb Stevens of Butternut Ridge Farm notes that the farm – started by her in-laws – was smaller when the market inaugurated its first season 40 years ago. After she and her husband took over, it got bigger. Now, she says, “we’re getting smaller again.”

“It’s time,” she says. “We like being in the market quite a bit. And we like doing other things with our lives, as well.”

Younger farmers use the changes to fine-tune what to grow.

Radicchio

Lindsay Fisk, co-owner of Owl Wood Farm with Mark Bascom, says, “We’re trying to grow slowly, and to grow in a way that meets demand.”

As she spoke, a head of radicchio rolled off its spot as a shopper approached. The shopper’s face lit up with delight. “I was hoping I might find radicchio today.” 

Fisk noted that radicchio – a purple veined leafy vegetable – was a new Owl Wood offering last fall. After it got a good reception, Fisk and Bascom decided to grow more of it this year.

Also new at Owl Wood’s stall is ginger. Fisk and Bascom planned to grow a small amount for themselves. When that small amount became quite prolific, they decided to bring it to market to test it out. Says Fisk: “If it goes over well, we might grow more next year.”

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Produce from some of our amazing agriculture vendo Produce from some of our amazing agriculture vendors at today’s market!
Attention granola lovers!! Today is National Grano Attention granola lovers!! Today is National Granola Day. In honor of this, all sales with our friends from @toganola are 10% off this Saturday only! Their granola products are packaged in sustainable packaging and free of gluten, dairy & soy. 

Our winter market runs today from 9:3-1:30 in the Wilton Mall food court. Hope you can make it!

Photo of and provided by @toganola 

#saratogasprings #saratogafarmersmarket #farmersmarket #granola #toganola #thingstodoinupstateny #organic #shopsmall #shoplocal #nationalgranoladay
Our new 2023 Freshconnect $2 coupons arrived today Our new 2023 Freshconnect $2 coupons arrived today! For every $5 you spend using your SNAP/EBT card at our market, receive $2 in coupons. FreshConnect bucks can be used to buy: vegetables, meat, milk, eggs, honey, baked items, jams, plants that bear food, and prepared foods that are packed to eat at home. Plus, there’s no cap on issuance! Stop by our information stand to learn more. We’ll be open 9:30-1:30 tomorrow. ❄️🌾

#freshconnect #snap #ebt #nutrition #health #agriculture #shoplocal #shopssmall #farmtotable #saratogasprings #saratogafarmersmarket #farmersmarket #thingstodoinupstateny @wilton_mall_leasing
Interested in growing your business? Farmers’ ma Interested in growing your business? Farmers’ markets are a great way to start networking and finding your customer base. For 45 years, the Saratoga Farmers’ Market has provided a platform for local farmers, artisans, bakers and more build their businesses into what they are today. If you’d like to join our community, please submit your 2023 Summer Vendor application. The link can be found in our bio. Last day to apply is January 31st. DM us here or email me at sfma.manager@gmail.com with any questions!! 

#farmersmarket #startup #smallbusiness #shoplocal #entrepreneur #community #saratogasprings #thingstodoinupstateny #growyourbusiness
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