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

Shop Local, Eat Fresh

holiday season

Shop Local at the Farmers’ Market this Season

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J. Adkins Cultivation, photo provided

By Julia Howard

Supporting small businesses is always a must in our eyes, and this year it’s as important as ever. Not only does it give our local economy a boost, but you’re more likely to find unique gifts for your loved ones.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market offers a spacious shopping environment featuring 50+ local businesses. The variety of vendors is sure to rekindle your excitement for shopping and finding the perfect gifts – all in one place.

J. Adkins Cultivation is a local, organic grower of classic and hard-to-find organic vegetables, herbs, fruits, perennials, and annuals. For the holidays, they have beautiful poinsettia arrangements as well as numerous giftable plants.

Saratoga Suds ‘n’ Stuff, photo by Pattie Garrett

Saratoga Suds ‘n’ Stuff makes soap the “old fashioned” way – “by hand, in small batches, using fat and lye and some essential oils to scent it.” For the holidays, find soaps in the shape of gingerbread men, Christmas trees, and other fun seasonal shapes alongside their traditional soaps.

Scotch Ridge Berry & Tree Farm has handmade wreaths, kissing balls, holiday swag, and tabletop Christmas trees all this month. Gorgeous greenery makes a memorable and personal gift, and even more so when it’s locally made.

For the spirits connoisseur on your list, Yankee Distillers proudly to stands out as an NYS Farm Distillery, where they use 100% unmalted New York State Grain to produce outstanding bourbon, rye, and vodka. For the beer enthusiast, Mean Max Brew Works makes distinctive craft-brewed ales and lagers fermented naturally without additives.

Saratoga Chocolate Co., photo by Pattie Garrett

Sweet treats are undeniably a part of the holiday season, and Saratoga Chocolate Co. specializes in gourmet craft chocolate bars, handmade truffles, unique chocolate confections, and chocolate tastings and pairings. Their gift sets, hot chocolate mix, and chocolate Santas make perfect stocking stuffers.

Kim Dolan Designed Jewelry and Feathered Antler have a giftable wearable art selection, from handmade jewelry to custom clothing. Kim Dolan makes unique tie-dyed shirts and jewelry made from gold, silver, and gemstones. Feathered Antler creates jewelry, knitwear, customized flannels, and more.

Many holiday season vendors offer pre-ordering for easy pickup as well as online ordering. Find their website and ‘like’ them on social media to stay up-to-date on their products and specials.

This week’s recipe: Shepherd’s Pie

Local Artisans Enrich Holiday Offerings at Saratoga Farmers’ Market

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Upper Hudson Coffee, photo by Pattie Garrett

As you pull open the doors of the Lincoln Baths Building to enter the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, an extra treat awaits. The market is hosting in addition to its usual array of locally grown and produced fruits and vegetables, cheeses, meats, milk, honey, maple syrup, and specialty goods a set of holiday vendors through December 30.

These vendors are setting up shop on the building’s second floor, transforming the space into a market within the market. They offer locally roasted coffees, craft beers, baked bread, cheesecakes, jerky, salad dressings, and chocolates. The holiday market also features artists and craftspeople who create innovative attire, metal works, fine art prints, ceramics, jewelry, watches, and clocks. And for your canine companions, look for the specialty dog treats.

The holiday market, like the Saratoga Farmers’ Market, is aimed at building relationships between local entrepreneurs and residents of the Saratoga area. In the spirit of Small Business Saturday, it gives the entrepreneurs a space to showcase and sell their goods. At the same time, it offers market shoppers seeking creative gifts for families, friends, and themselves an opportunity to find them. The goal, says market director Julia Howard, is to open up the farmers’ market – long known for the best farm fresh foods grown, raised, or produced in the region – to creators of local foods and arts of all kinds.

“We see this as a special benefit for our regulars,” Howard says, “and as a way to support the local economy even more during the holidays.”

To visit the holiday market, go upstairs, via the staircases near the Lincoln Baths entrance or the elevators located in the middle of the building. You will find vendor stalls lined up around the railings and tucked into various nooks and crannies. The atmosphere is festive, yet relaxed. Unlike the frenzy of a shopping mall, vendors are available to describe their products, answer any questions, and share stories of how they came up with their creations.

Howard notes that some space remains upstairs for additional artisans. Those looking for an opportunity to display and sell hand-crafted items can contact her at julia@saratogafarmersmarket.org.

The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is 9 a.m.to 1 p.m. Saturdays at the Lincoln Baths Building in the Saratoga Spa State Park. Its holiday market runs through December 30. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.