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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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This weekend discover fabulously fresh products fo This weekend discover fabulously fresh products for all of your holiday baking…
* Buttermilk and Greek yogurt from Argyle Cheese Farmer.
* Honey, which makes a fantastic sweetener in many recipes, can be found at Ballston Lake Apiaries and Slate Valley Farms, as can maple syrup, which you can also find at Slate Valley Farms.
* Applesauce, cider, and fresh apples are always available at Saratoga Apple; equally good alternative sweeteners to consider, and applesauce can be an excellent replacement for oils in many recipes.
* Looking for deliciously locally made jams that are perfect for thumbprint cookies, Linzer cookies, and anything jam-filled? Visit Kokinda Farm.
* Consider making your peanut butter cookies pop this holiday season with unique flavors from Saratoga Peanut Butter.
* Are you making Tiramisu? Grab locally fresh-roasted coffee from Nally Coffee.
* And, of course, there are fresh farm eggs at Hepatica Farm, Grazin’ Acres Farm, and Jireh Organic Farm & Livestock.
* Is bread pudding on your holiday menu? Grab that main bread base from Katie Bakes Gluten-Free, NightWork Bread, or The Bread Butler.
* And check out Muddy Trail and their Perpetual Vanilla; it’s fantastic. They also have nine convenient baking mixes to browse and explore!
If you don’t want to bake, that’s A-OK, too! The Saratoga Farmers’ Market has the non- baker, ‘need a break,’ or ‘need something quick’ covered too. Just visit one of the pre-
made sweet treat vendors;
Goodway Gourmet
Katie Bakes Gluten-Free
NightWork Bread
Parchment Baking Company
Sweet Treats by Jennifer
Perogi, Pierogi, Pyroogi
#saratogafarmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket🔆 #bakingseasonhasbegun #holidaybakingbegins #locallymadegoods
This weekend we have special guests at the Saratog This weekend we have special guests at the Saratoga Farmers' Market for our first pop up holiday crafters market.  They will be joining our regular (and fabulous) weekly vendors for the beginning of our holiday season.  They are here for one week only!!!
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, December 2nd at the Wilton Mall in the Food Court.  The market is open from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. 
#saratogafarmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket🔆 #holidaycraftfair #popupholidaymarket #supportlocallymade
We are the mall until 1:30 today! #saratogafarme We are the mall until 1:30 today! 
#saratogafarmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket🔆 #smallbusinesssaturdaymarket
This week’s vendor specials for the market in ce This week’s vendor specials for the market in celebration of Small Business Saturday.
Saturday - 9:30 to 1:30 at Wilton Mall in the
Food court!
Sweet Treats by Jennifer:
Holiday cookie flavors are here! We'll have our red velvet cookies, decadent millionaire bars and many other delicious sweet treats for you to enjoy
Scotch Ridge Berry & Tree Farm:
Scotch Ridge will be in the market with our farm made all natural Christmas wreaths, Door Swags, Garland, Kissing Balls and pre decorated Table Top Trees.  All greens and trees (like everything) from our farm are produced with no pesticides or herbicides
Jireh Organic Farms & Livestock:
Purchase $40 of meat - get Non-GMO Eggs half price!  GMO Free Pork: Bacon, Hams, Tenderloins, Hot Italian Sausage links, Breakfast Sausage, Ground Pork, Hocks, Organs and more!!  GMO Free Chickens (whole & cut-ups), soup parts, feet for bone 
 #saratogafarmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket🔆 #smallbusinesssaturdaymarket #supportlocallymade #supportlocallygrown

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