• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Shop Local, Eat Fresh at the Saratoga Farmers' Market | Food, Crafts, Music in Saratoga Springs

Shop Local, Eat Fresh

  • Markets
    • Our Markets
    • Market Maps
  • Vendors
    • Vendor Directory
    • Becoming a Vendor
  • Shop Online
  • About Us
    • SFM Association
    • History
  • Programs
    • SNAP/EBT & FMNP
    • POP Club for Kids
    • Community Partnerships
    • Summer Internships
  • Get Involved
  • News
    • Featured Article
    • Seasonal Recipes
    • Weekly Newsletter
  • FAQ
  • Contact us
    • Message us!

Saratoga Farmers Bring Fresh Produce to Market – Even in February

February 16, 2017 By marketeditor

 

By Julia Howard, Market Director

February often feels like a frigid countdown to spring. A visit to the Saratoga Farmers’ Market’s winter location might change that perception. You’ll find tables loaded with tomatoes, cucumbers, salad greens and spinach, kale, cabbage, carrots, turnips, radishes, sweet potatoes and potatoes, winter squash, and beets.

            Where does this produce come from?

Not the grocery store. A growing number of local farmers grow it year round, using such structures as greenhouses and high tunnels to provide their crops with the water, sun, and soil nutrients needed to thrive.

Gomez Veggie Ville Photo by Brie Passano
Gomez Veggie Ville  |  Photo by Brie Passano

Five farmers at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market offer produce year round: Gomez Veggie Ville, Malta Ridge Orchard and Gardens, Pleasant Valley Farm, Sheldon Farms, and Shushan Hydro Farms (which grows its produce in a mineral rich water solvent). The Gomez family – Valentina and Efrain Gomez along with their daughter Lizbeth – share some of their winter growing tactics here.

Lizbeth Gomez said winter growing began about seven years ago in a single greenhouse on their Schaghticoke farm. “My mom had a small greenhouse behind our house, and we expanded from there.”

The family now operates five greenhouses. They begin planning their winter harvests with plantings of greenhouse crops of spinach, kale, baby lettuce, and arugula. Once the greens are harvested, it takes four weeks for the plants to regrow. So they plan their season around the plants’ growing schedules while keeping in mind that sudden freezes will stall the growth of more vulnerable greens.

If the day is warm, they open their greenhouses to bring in fresh air and sun. On cold days, they keep the greenhouse close to protect their young greens.

The family balances their supply of fresh greens with such crops as beets, carrots, butternut squash, potatoes, parsnips, dried beans, and onions. These items typically ripen in early fall and are stored in walk-in coolers so they can be made available to market shoppers until spring when warmer soil and longer days makes outdoor planting possible again.

Gomez Veggie Ville by Brie Passano 2
Photo by Brie Passano

“When people see our tables, they often ask if we really are growing everything,” said Efrain Gomez. He hopes that more people will continue to visit farmers’ markets in the winter as they realize the abundance available year round.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market takes place Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Lincoln Baths Building in the Saratoga Spa State Park.

 


 

Sauteed Kohlrabi with Onions, Kale, and Cream

Adapted from Martha Stewart’s recipe for Sauteed Kohlrabi with Onions and Cream
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min

Ingredients
*Ingredients currently available at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market

• 1 kohlrabi, peeled and chopped into small cubes*
• 1 thinly sliced white onion*
• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 4-6 kale leaves, finely chopped*
• Heavy cream*
• Salt and pepper
• Grated nutmeg

Directions
Cook kohlrabi and onion in butter over medium-high heat until almost tender. Stir in kale leaves, and cook until wilted. Add a generous splash of heavy cream, and cook for a few minutes to reduce. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Serve with chicken, pork chops, or steak.

 

 

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

Reader Interactions

Before Footer

Instagram

Have you tried any of @nettlemeadowfarm's newest S Have you tried any of @nettlemeadowfarm's newest Schroon Moon spreadable cow's cheeses yet? Go for savory or sweet with 5 different flavors. Pick some up at this Saturday's market - we'll be open 9:30am - 1:30pm at the Wilton Mall food court!
.
.
.
#farmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket #saratogasprings #saratogany #wilton #518 #518eats #farmfresh #nofarmsnofood #dairy #cheese
We are honored to be nominated as one of the Best We are honored to be nominated as one of the Best Farmers’ Markets in the Capital Region for the Times Union’s Best of 2021! Thank you to all of our amazing customers and community for your continued support! You can vote for us daily under the category “Goods & Services” using this link: https://www.timesunion.com/bestof2021/ 
.
.
.
#timesunionbestof2021 #timesunionbestof #saratogafarmersmarket #farmersmarket 
#supportlocal #shoplocal #saratogany #saratogasprings
Starting off the week with another MCM (Market Cru Starting off the week with another MCM (Market Crush Monday!) This week we talked to Kim from Mugzy’s Barkery who brings healthy, locally made dog treats to the market. 
 
1. How did Mugzy’s Barkery get started? 
My sister Jaime started the business just over 5 years ago to have a healthier treat option to give her beloved Olde English Bulldog, Mugzy. Our treats are all natural and organic, providing a healthy alternative to mass-produced treats for caring dog parents. 
 
 2. What’s your favorite part about vending at the market?
Definitely getting to see all the dogs! The funny thing is I know all our regular customer’s dogs by name, not the owners. 
 
3. What are your most popular treat flavors?
Pumpkin paws (grain-free biscuits) and the pupcakes (a bite-sized treat) are really popular with the dogs but we also have flavors like PB cookie cups, apple cheddar training treats, banana buddies and more, so something to fit any pup’s tastes!
 
The PB cookie cups have been tried and approved by our market assistant’s dog, Lacey! 
.
.
.
#saratogafarmersmarket #farmersmarket #saratoga #upstateny #shoplocal #saratogadog #farmersmarketfresh #mugzysbarkery #dogtreats #healthydogtreats
No need for an international flight when you can j No need for an international flight when you can journey around the world at the market! 🌍 Between Italian, Mediterranean, and Ukrainian, our vendors bring some of their best home cuisines to the market.
 
Have you tried My Dacha's Ukrainian food yet? Choose from lots of delicious options like pierogies, stuffed cabbage, kielbasa, or opt for sweet crepes. 🥟🤤 (If you've tried their food, what's your favorite?!)

We're open this Saturday, 9:30am - 1:30pm at the Wilton Mall food court!
.
.
.
#farmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket #saratogasprings #food #ukrainian #pierogies

Footer

Copyright © 2021 · Saratoga Farmers Market · Design by REACH CREATIVE

    COVID-19: Check our latest Safety Guidelines!
  • Markets
    • Our Markets
    • Market Maps
  • Vendors
    • Vendor Directory
    • Becoming a Vendor
  • Shop Online
  • About Us
    • SFM Association
    • History
  • Programs
    • SNAP/EBT & FMNP
    • POP Club for Kids
    • Community Partnerships
    • Summer Internships
  • Get Involved
  • News
    • Featured Article
    • Seasonal Recipes
    • Weekly Newsletter
  • FAQ
  • Contact us
    • Message us!