• 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!

Sustaining sustainability at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market

January 2, 2020 By marketeditor

By Himanee Gupta-Carlson

Photo by Pattie Garrett

Farmers lived sustainable lives long before climate change became a pressing issue. Members of multi-generation farm families tell stories of how nothing went to waste. Bones from a roast chicken became broth; food scraps from meals were turned into compost; old storage bins were repurposed to create walking paths or signposts.

Sustainability is gaining a new meaning in 2020 for farmers, the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, and all of us. Beginning March 1, a statewide ban on the distribution of single-use plastic bags at retail outlets takes effect. Farmers and other vendors at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market will no longer be able to offer such bags as a convenience to market shoppers, though certain items such as bags for storing meats and produce are exempt.

The market has been preparing for several months with information tables and market tote bags available for a nominal fee. Vendors have been reducing their supplies of plastic bags, replacing them with those made of paper or other materials.

We invite you to help us make the market more sustainable. Here are a few ideas:

Reusable mesh produce bag in use at Pleasant Valley Farm, photo courtesy of Pattie Garrett

Bring your own bags. Washable mesh or net bags made of recycled plastic offer an easy-to-carry means of storing such items as leeks and greens.

Forgo bags altogether, if you can. This might not be possible for fragile items such as pea shoots or salad greens. But it’s do-able for carrots, turnips, cabbage, apples, and other items that are featured in the market’s winter months. Foods such as fish and fresh pasta also can be placed upon purchase in storage containers you bring from home.

Return such items as egg cartons or glass jars to vendors for reuse. Vendors who sell eggs, cheeses, pickles, jams, corn, milk, yogurt, and other foods appreciate such returns as it helps reduce the costs incurred in obtaining these items.

If you eat at the market, consider bringing your own plate, bowl and silverware.

Argyle Cheese Farmer accepts glass jar returns, photo by Pattie Garrett

Finally, shop the market for crafts items that can further make your lives more sustainable. Many crafts vendors offer coffee mugs, reusable egg crates, bowls, and boxes.

 

This week’s recipe: Whatever Soup

Filed Under: Featured Article, homepage feature, News Tagged With: bags, mesh, net, plastic, recycling, return, returning, reusable, reuse, reusing, sustainability, sustainable

Reader Interactions

Before Footer

Instagram

TGIF! We've got the perfect cure for an exhausting TGIF! We've got the perfect cure for an exhausting week: grab ready-to-eat meals to munch on this weekend while shopping for your groceries to meal prep for next week. (Pro tip: Petra's pita pockets never disappoint. 😉) Stop by the market this Saturday, 9:30am - 1:30pm at the Wilton Mall food court!
.
.
.
#farmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket #saratogasprings #saratogany #saratoga #518 #capitalregion #shoplocal #knowyourfarmer #pita
Reminder to place your online orders by Thursday a Reminder to place your online orders by Thursday at 9 pm for curbside pickup this Saturday. Here’s a recent haul with a great variety of fresh produce and goods!

New this week: Ready to eat meals from My Dacha Slovenian Café (perogies, stuffed cabbage, sweet crepes & much more)

Just click the link in our bio to place your order! 
.
.
.
#saratogafarmersmarket #farmersmarket #curbsidepickup #saratoga #localline #knowyourfarmer #shoplocal #farmersmarketfinds #farmersmarkethaul  #518eats
Happy National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day! Here a Happy National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day! Here are a few of our favorite peanut butter products from around the market:

🥜Assorted Peanut Butters- Saratoga Peanut Butter Company
🥜Roasted Peanut Chocolate Chip Cookies- The Chocolate Spoon 
🥜PB Cookie Cups Organic Dog Treats- Mugzy’s Barkery 
 
Online preordering for curbside pickup this Saturday opens tonight at 9 pm, be sure to stock up on these tasty treats and more! Just click the “Shop Now” button on our page.
 
What’s your favorite peanut butter product from the market? Let us know in the comments! 
.
.
.
#saratogafarmersmarket #farmersmarket #saratogany  #upstateny #saratogasprings #peanutbutter #peanuterbutterlovers #peanutbutterloversday #518eats #farmersmarketfinds
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

Footer

With support from our friends at:

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!