When Saratoga Farmers’ Market re-opens its outdoor market at High Rock Park during the first week of May, it will feature 50 farms and vendors with a wide array of food, plants, and crafts produced in the region. The first market session will be Wednesday, May 1st, with a ribbon-cutting planned for Saturday, May 4th at 9 a.m. The market, which was voted New York State’s “Favorite Farmers’ Market” in both 2011 and 2012, is now marking its 35th anniversary year.
New this Season: Hospitality Tent with Prepared Food
By mid-June, this popular outdoor Saratoga destination will open a large, 40’ x 30’ hospitality tent on the north lawn of the park. On Saturdays, several prepared food vendors will provide customers a range of ready-to-eat selections; at the Wednesday markets, the tent will be available for special activities and events. Applications from local restaurants and food vendors will be accepted from May 1st through 15th via ManageMyMarket.com. More information will be available by May 1st on the market’s website at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org.
Opening Week Plans
Wednesday, May 1, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
– Featured Vendor: Each Wednesday market this season will bring a special focus on one of the market’s vendors. Kicking off the series, Mister Edge Sharpening owner Craig Richard will provide free sharpening of a paring knife (one per customer) and tips on keeping household blades of all sorts in top-notch shape (knives, mowers, garden tools, etc.)
– Market Bistro: M & A Farm, popular for its egg sandwiches at the Saturday market, will offer a grilled special featuring market items
– Live music: Tom McWatters
Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
– 9:00 a.m. – Ribbon-cutting at main pavilion, with introduction of new farms and vendors
– Live music: Running the River, a four-piece band playing rock, folk, blues, country and more
Three New Farms/Vendors
This season’s twice-a-week outdoor market will offer a range of fresh food—including vegetables, fruit, mushrooms, meat, poultry, eggs, baked goods, fresh and frozen prepared foods, beverages, peanut butter, honey, jam, yogurt, cheese, and milk—as well as plants, flowers, handcrafts, and knife sharpening. Many of the farms participating have been with the market for several years, with a few having family connections dating back to the market’s beginning in 1978.
Three new vendors at the Saratoga outdoor market this year are:
- Zest Catering, run by Carla and Eric Kuchar of Mechanicville, selling a variety of baked goods, savory tarts, pierogi, and ready-made meals (Wednesday markets only)
- Quincy Farm, a sustainable vegetable farm using organic methods and located in Easton, operated by the husband-and-wife team of Luke Deikis and Cara Fraver (Saturdays only)
- The Chocolate Spoon, a Saratoga Springs home-based bakery run by Marcie Place, offering a unique variety of cookies, teacakes, and other treats (Saturdays and Wednesdays)
Background
The Saratoga Farmers’ Market and its affiliated outdoor markets in Malta and Clifton Park will have the following hours of operation until the end of October:
- The Saratoga Farmers’ Market will operate twice a week at High Rock Park beginning May 1 on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- The Malta Farmers’ Market will be open Tuesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. beginning June 4th near the Malta Community Center on Route 9 (just south of Bayberry Drive).
- The Clifton Park Farmers’ Market will be open Thursdays from 2 to 5 p.m. beginning July 11th in the parking lot of St. George’s Church, 912 Route 146 (near the intersection of Moe Road).
Saratoga Farmers’ Market Association maintains a “producer-only” standard for all of its markets, requiring vendors to grow or produce their goods in Saratoga, Schenectady, Rensselaer, or Washington counties to ensure that products are fresh and unique, not purchased for re-sale. The market makes a few exceptions to this rule for foods not available locally, including fresh fish and mushrooms. By adhering to this standard, the market ensures that sales provide economic, ecological, and social support to local communities.