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Saratoga Farmers’ Market Grows with Changing Times

November 1, 2018 By marketeditor

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.

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.”

Filed Under: Featured Article, homepage feature, News Tagged With: changes in farmers' markets, farmers' market, ginger, innovations in farming, radicchio, Saratoga Springs

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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We are happy to give you an update! Technical iss We are happy to give you an update!  Technical issues have been resolved and SNAP EBT and the ATM are back and online…

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Today is perfect autumn weather for this afternoon Today is perfect autumn weather for this afternoon’s market! Come on over … grab your mid-week supplies, get a little dinner, find something new. We are here from 3 pm to 6 pm. 

Unfortunately we have no SNAP EBT or ATM today due to technical issues - if we get the issue resolved with the equipment we will post! 

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we wait for the third part fix.

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Every week there’s a new, and deliciously fresh, Every week there’s a new, and deliciously fresh, discovery at the market! 

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Today is the day for the Monday Market! Start you Today is the day for the Monday Market!

Start your week with us in Clifton Park from 2 pm to 5 pm for fresh produce and great finds. 

We are your stop to support locally grown and produced foods/items and we love all of our weekly visitors!

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